Arch Linux

corruptz0r

Member

From: Atlanta, GA

Registered: 2010-07-07

Posts: 63

[SOLVED] Machine randomly crashes on any kernel past 3.2.1

I used to update my kernel with every release, but had to stop after 3.2.1... Any kernel past this (using the same config) will randomly crash my machine.

Specs:
-Asus U35JC Notebook
-kernel patchsets: CK, BFQ

Symptoms:
At a random interval (1m - 1h), the machine will crash.  It doesn't matter the internal temperature, or what programs I have open.
- First, the mouse will freeze up. 
- Then the internal fan will spin up to max RPMs.
- If there is audio playing, it will continue for about 15 seconds after the machine has crashed, and then it will stop playing.

Every time this happens, the first place I'll check is /var/log on next boot, but there has never been any log entry about the crash, and the entries minutes before are normal.

I am lost as to what is happening.  How can I troubleshoot this?  It only happens on kernels past 3.2.1.

lspci:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor DRAM Controller (rev 18)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Core Processor Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 18)
00:16.0 Communication controller: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset HECI Controller (rev 06)
00:1a.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset USB2 Enhanced Host Controller (rev 06)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset High Definition Audio (rev 06)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset PCI Express Root Port 1 (rev 06)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset PCI Express Root Port 2 (rev 06)
00:1c.5 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset PCI Express Root Port 6 (rev 06)
00:1d.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset USB2 Enhanced Host Controller (rev 06)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev a6)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 5 Series Chipset LPC Interface Controller (rev 06)
00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset 4 port SATA AHCI Controller (rev 06)
00:1f.6 Signal processing controller: Intel Corporation 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Thermal Subsystem (rev 06)
03:00.0 Network controller: Atheros Communications Inc. AR9285 Wireless Network Adapter (PCI-Express) (rev 01)
04:00.0 Ethernet controller: Atheros Communications Inc. AR8131 Gigabit Ethernet (rev c0)
ff:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor QuickPath Architecture Generic Non-core Registers (rev 05)
ff:00.1 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor QuickPath Architecture System Address Decoder (rev 05)
ff:02.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor QPI Link 0 (rev 05)
ff:02.1 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor QPI Physical 0 (rev 05)
ff:02.2 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Reserved (rev 05)
ff:02.3 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Core Processor Reserved (rev 05)

Last edited by corruptz0r (2012-05-19 21:11:49)

nomorewindows

Member

Registered: 2010-04-03

Posts: 3,542

Re: [SOLVED] Machine randomly crashes on any kernel past 3.2.1

I would suggest running ssh (package openssh) and try to login in to it from another computer to see if something is working enough to allow you to ssh in.  If you can, maybe more diagnostics can be performed.  Sounds like when the hardware goes, it has no control over the governed fan which by failsafe default will run at maximum speed.  You could also install the LTS kernel (package linux-lts) it is still prior to 3.2 (3.0)

Last edited by nomorewindows (2012-05-14 23:47:43)

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I may have to CONSOLE you about your usage of ridiculously easy graphical interfaces...
Look ma, no mouse.

corruptz0r

Member

From: Atlanta, GA

Registered: 2010-07-07

Posts: 63

Re: [SOLVED] Machine randomly crashes on any kernel past 3.2.1

Thank you for the response.  I have done more diagnostics and here is what I know:

When it crashes:
-magic sysrq doesn't work, despite being enabled (REISUB)
-capslock and numlock don't work
-the box cannot be SSH'd into

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,700

Re: [SOLVED] Machine randomly crashes on any kernel past 3.2.1

When it crashes:
...

Are the Numlock and Capslock LEDs on your keyboard flashing?

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corruptz0r

Member

From: Atlanta, GA

Registered: 2010-07-07

Posts: 63

Re: [SOLVED] Machine randomly crashes on any kernel past 3.2.1

Are the Numlock and Capslock LEDs on your keyboard flashing?

No

corruptz0r

Member

From: Atlanta, GA

Registered: 2010-07-07

Posts: 63

Re: [SOLVED] Machine randomly crashes on any kernel past 3.2.1

SOLVED.

I upgraded to 3.3.6 with CK and BFQ patchsets, and dramatically audited my existing kernel (removed bloat and options I didn't need).  I based it partially on kernel-netbook's config. I've been heavily testing the new build for about 12 hours, and there hasn't been a single crash!  This is unheard of on new kernels for me (before this, the longest I could go was ~2 hours).

I am not sure specifically what option was causing the problems, so I've posted my old and new kernel configs here (if you want to investigate):
http://www.diffnow.com/?report=3kaz8.  Additionally, if you just want the new kernel to compare it against your own, it's here.

Last edited by corruptz0r (2012-05-19 21:13:10)