It helps to understand the nature of the error message...
The Kernel Panic error indicates that Linux is unable to utilize the swap
partition you created, when it needs it.
You have a problem with the SCSI bus itself... that is the cable going from
your SCSI adapter to your SCSI drive(s).
The fact that formatting fails also indicates this. (assuming you do not
have a failing hard drive.)
You need to make sure that you have your temination set up properly.
Does the last drive on the cable have a terminator on it?
Is it the ONLY drive with a terminator on it?
Is the SCSI card terminated as well?
You should immediately check this AND replace your scsi cable too.
Lastly, terminator "power" sometimes causes problems with older drives.
Usually only one or two devices supply terminator power (voltage to the SCSI
bus' "pull up" resistors) but not all of them. Most devices arrive with
terminator power ENABLED, so if you have more than one device on the cable,
it's a good idea to disable terminator power on all but two.
-JMS
-----Original Message-----
From: Saikalis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Sunday, July 09, 2000 3:40 PM
To: Linux
Subject: [newbie] Problem !
Hello !
I'm looking for information to solve this problem: I've been trying to
install Mandrake 5.3 on my computer for weeks. I'm trying to install it on a
SCSI Seagate hard disk I've tried several solutions (changing the IRQ number
of the Scsi host...) each time everything freezes either when it is
formatting the Linux native partition or while it is installing the
packages. The message I get (using F12 knob) is : Kernel Panic. Scsi free:
trying to free unused memory in swapper task - not syncing.
I have an old computer (AMD 5X86) with 20 MO of Ram
You can write to me either in english or french. Thanks a lot in advance.!
Please use only this adress for the answer [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Serge
