teo1978, thank you for your comments. Regarding them: >"this policy of having bugs expire just because they are not reported on the >latest bios is ridiculous and must be changed."
Bugs don't expire because they are not initially reported on the latest BIOS. They expire because they remain in the Incomplete Status for too long. For more on this, please see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/Status . >"Machines are out there with non updated BIOSes..." The fact that many folks have computers with an outdated BIOS running Ubuntu successfully is great. However, it doesn't mean if they report a linux (Ubuntu) problem they wouldn't need to update their BIOS. >"...and Linux must support them." Linux, is not a company, nor a support organization, it is the kernel. Despite this, If linux upstream thinks you have a bug due to an outdated BIOS, instead of someone actually responding to your complaining about updating, comments like this are typically promptly ignored (besides embarrassing yourself in the process). >"Other OSes support them." All the OS companies and supporting organizations are all going to want to see the BIOS updated. Your hardware vendor would advise you to update your BIOS when you have a wonky hardware timing issue that isn't due to a hardware failure. That's one of many reasons why vendors provide BIOS updates (security, enhancements, etc.). With this in mind, have you confirmed that this problem is not reproducible in Windows? >"The probability that a given bug will disappear by updating the BIOS are close to zero," Unfortunately, this would be speculation. >"and even if that is the case, that doesn't mean that the bug is CAUSED by a bug in the BIOS." That is the exact point you are missing. BIOS bugs can cause issues all over the map, including yours. >The default assumption should be that the bug is in the sotware, unless there a proof of the contrary" As already advised to you in https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette If we are talking about user-space, then yes, the strategy is assume it's a bug in the software, versus the kernel. With linux kernel bugs, because the kernel is directly talking to the hardware, and an improperly functioning, and poorly written BIOS has a direct, negative effect on how the linux kernel behaves (same with Windows, Mac, etc.), and in turn the upper user-space layer, one would need to ensure it's updated. As well, an outdated BIOS can cause collateral damage problems. >"Plus, a decent (and safe) way of updating the BIOS from within Ubuntu without relying on booting from other OSes is not available." While I haven't surveyed all the vendors in a while, I'm not presently aware of vendors explicitly providing in-Ubuntu/(other linux vendor) methods of updating the BIOS. However, that is a fantastic suggestion. Have you reached out to Acer regarding this? >"Until such a thing is provided, you can't expect Ubuntu users to update their BIOS." As already advised to you in https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BiosUpdate some vendors provide an in- Windows update method, some provide a self contained OS to update from, and some advise to use FreeDOS. As well, countless people, with all the vendors noted in the article, and those vendors that are not, utilized the methods already advised to you to successfully update their BIOS. Hence, it is expected you update your BIOS. The more time you spend complaining about updating, instead of either updating or asking for help on doing so, is just causing a longer and longer delay of your problem being resolved. -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1335409 Title: [Acer Aspire V3-571G] Mousepad stopped working To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1335409/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list [email protected] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
