I don't understand how this does not meet the criteria.  I see this in
the criteria:

* Bugs which represent severe regressions from the previous release of
Ubuntu

Now, this may not be a "severe regression" for everyone.  But for many
that own a computer with a SIS5513 IDE controller, going from a Feisty
install where everything works, to a Gutsy install, where the system
can't even boot because the IDE controller cannot recognize the hard
drives -- that's a very severe regression!  No solution has been
presented that allows me to boot my computer with its SiS 5513 IDE
controller without recompiling the kernel to include the necessary IDE
module.

So, here's what I know in regard to the requested documentation:

1) Impact of the bug: Computers with SiS 5513 IDE controllers have
reported everything from complete inability to boot, to very flaky disk
access, even locking up the system.  One proposed work-around was to
force the ide_generic and ide_disk modules -- a "solution" that prevents
the use of DMA in CD- / DVD-ROM drives connected to the computer.  Thus,
an unacceptable solution.  That from my personal experience coupled with
reports seen on the web forums.

2) I don't know of the bug being addressed in the "development" branch.
But I can look back to former stable branches!!!

>From the Feisty stock .config file:
CONFIG_BLK_DEV_SIS5513=m

>From the Gutsy stock .config file:
# CONFIG_BLK_DEV_SIS5513 is not set

3) The patch: well, just correct the one line in the .config file in the
kernel.  That's it.  Basically -- the module that the kernel folk have
written for the SiS 5513 IDE controller should be allowed to be used by
those of us with such a controller.  Since this is built as a module, I
would expect it to only be used by computers with the appropriate
hardware.  (Note: I tested with the ubuntu .config file, but with the
latest 2.6.22 official Linux kernel -- if any Ubuntu-specific changes
have been made to this module, there may be problems I am not aware of)

4) Reproducing the bug.  I migrated my computer up from a Feisty
install, so this *might* be a problem specific to migration, rather than
new installs, but I doubt it.  First: get a computer with a SiS 5513 IDE
controller, as the error is specific to this hardware.  Then try a) a
fresh install with Gutsy, and b) a fresh install with Feisty, followed
by a migration to Gutsy.  I would expect both to cause problems.  (I
remember trying the new install.  My computer crashed during the
install, though I don't recall the specifics of where)  If you're able
to reboot successfully off of such a computer, and hdparm reports that
DMA is settable for any CD- / DVD drives on the IDE controller, then
something else is the problem.  But I think you're going to find issues.

5) Regression potential: If you have a computer with a SiS 5513 IDE
controller, migrating to Gutsy can bring your computer to a complete
halt.  If you can *somehow* tweak your computer to boot, even with this
controller, than you'll probably find that the drives are not all
working as they optimally should.  This should only affect the users of
this particular style of IDE controller, but the probalem for computers
using this controller is widespread, if not all-encompassing.

According to my personal experience, SiS 5513 drivers were working fine
from Hoary through Feisty, but the install of Gutsy has been problematic
for this controller.  Recompiling the kernel with this one extra module
enabled brought my computer back to its pre-Gutsy working state.

I personally would be eager to test any proposed version of the kernel
for usability on a computer with a SiS 5513 controller.

David Wynn

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stock 2.6.22 kernels don't detect both IDE HDDs anymore
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/150693
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