Re: [gentoo-user] USB Problems

[meino.cramer@gmx.de]

john <jdm@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
> jdm@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