john <j...@arcticwolf.myzen.co.uk> [11-06-12 16:36]: > Gents > > Whenever I insert external USB device my machine locks and I have to do > a hard reset (sys req does not even work). I have tried this in a > graphical environment and without. Machine boots up fine with USB > keyboard and mouse but will not boot up with usb storage (memory stick > - tried several) > > I have recently upgrade kernel to 2.6.38-r6 when this error started > (approx). Hav also tried 2.6.38-r7 (which according to bugzilla > should fix an issue similar to this) the error still happens. > > Any suggestions on kernel config options, debugging would be > appreciated. And how to trap full error message. > > Error message alongs these lines > > Kernel panic not syncing - fatal exception in iterrupt > ksoftirqd/1 Not tainted > > > > > -- > -------------- > -------------- > John D Maunder > j...@arcticwolf.myzen.co.uk >
Hi John, may be this could help to track th eerror more closely: Recompile the kernel with CONFIG_USB_DEBUG set. If not already done, enable CONFIG_MAGIC_SYSRQ and read about the available commands in the according docs under /usr/src/linux/Documentation/. This is a overall life saver in many other cases too. But it may be a security hole also -- you can disable it in /proc/ later. If possible change /etc/fstab to mount the partition to which logging will go with the "sync" option so every log entry will go directly onto the bare metal instead of a RAM buffer. Reboot into console mode (no X). cd to the logging directory and do a tail -f onto the logfile in question Insert the "USB stick of death" ;) and see, whether you can see anything in the tailed log. If not do the magic sysrq dance to sync hds, remount readonly and finally reboot. Take a closer look into the resulting logs. Good luck! Nevertheless have a nice weekend! Best regards, mcc
