[Date Prev][Date Next] [Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index] [Thread Index]

Re: Status update {Re: PARTIAL DIAGNOSIS of Installation problems}



On 03/10/2021 07:29 AM, Andrei POPESCU wrote:
On Mi, 10 mar 21, 04:26:06, Richard Owlett wrote:
On 03/10/2021 03:45 AM, Andrei POPESCU wrote:

The boot process has three major stages.

1. POST: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-on_self-test
2. Bootloader (grub, etc.)
3. Operating System (in this case Debian)

In which of the above stages does the boot hang?

In yesterday's case, it was definitely case 3.
In the case of getting a hang with blank screen I suspect it also was case
3, but I wasn't recording detailed symptoms the last time it happened.

I all cases I've heard the beep from POST.

Well, it should be pretty obvious if you are past the bootloader (grub)
stage or not ;)

Assuming the hang happens in the OS stage a first step would be to
remove 'quiet' from the boot command line. Both the kernel and systemd
(assuming the boot is progressing that far) should be significantly more
verbose then.
Consider this sequence of events.
1. PC and LinkZone powered off
2. Turn on PC
3. Debian boots normally
4. Turn on LinkZone
5. Browse a web site
6. Shut off PC power leaving LinkZone running on its battery
7. Wait
8. Turn on PC
9. Failure occurs

After a failed boot you could try to boot normally and check the output
of

     journalctl -alb -1

('-1' means the logs from the previous boot)

Based on the timestamps you should be able to determine whether this is
the failed boot (assuming it got far enough to save the logs to
persistent storage) or the previous one.

This may not work unless you enable persistent storage for
systemd-journal (see /usr/share/doc/systemd/README.Debian).


I may not be able to do until tomorrow as I have errands to run before much rain in next several days.

Looking at /usr/share/doc/systemd/README.Debian prompts me to ask:
 "What logs might be created when attempting to run a netinst.iso?"

I have a spare laptop whose HDD I can wipe and use for experiments.
My mindset still shows influence of doing component level debug in mid/late 70's. I just have no pre-retirement *nix experience.

Any other reading assignments?

My motto:
If retirement is not for learning, what use is it? <GRIN>






Reply to: