[Triumf-linux-managers] Re: latest SL5 kernels are broken?

[Kelvin Raywood]

On Wed Aug 6 2008 Konstantin Olchanski wrote:
> Please be informed that the latest SL 5.2 Linux kernels do not boot
> on some hardware, they panic during boot (a NULL pointer reference
> in powernowk8_init). I see this while trying to install SL 5.2 on
> an Intel-based machine, but reportedly, both Intel and AMD machines
> are affected.
> 
> For more information, please refer to
> https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=443853
> http://bugs.centos.org/view.php?id=2912
> 
> Aparently corrected kernel rpms are available for CentOS, but
> how do I use them to do a fresh install of SL 5.2 ?!?

I know that Konstantin has already "solved" his problem but in case 
others are intersted in the outcome ...

A day or so after Konstantin posted his message, RedHat released an 
updated RHEL-5.2 kernel(2.6.18-92.1.10.el5) which fixes the problem. Of 
course the installer kernel still has the problem.  The way that 
Konstantin solved it was to install SL 5.1 and upgrade to 5.2; getting 
the fixed kernel along the way.

This problem only affects older P-II and P-III hardware, as well as some 
low-power processors used on VME boards and the like.  So since there's 
an adequate work-around, there isn't going to be a re-spin of the 
installer with an updated kernel.

If you need to get SL-5.2 installed on an affected system and are not 
sure about the steps, the feel free to contact me for help.

--
Kel Raywood
TRIUMF Network and Computing Services