Ubuntu
linux package

[Dell XPS 15 (L502X)] i8k kernel module crashes system

Bug #1324372 reported by Jerry Ji
18
This bug affects 3 people
Affects Status Importance Assigned to Milestone
linux (Ubuntu)
Expired
High
Unassigned

Bug Description

The i8k kernel module (Dell fan control) fails to load in 14.04 (on Dell XPS L502X laptop) --

$ uname -a
Linux *** 3.13.0-27-generic #50-Ubuntu SMP Thu May 15 18:06:16 UTC 2014 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

$ sudo modprobe -v i8k
insmod /lib/modules/3.13.0-27-generic/kernel/drivers/char/i8k.ko
modprobe: ERROR: could not insert 'i8k': No such device

while "force=1" immediately crashes/freezes the system --

$ sudo modprobe i8k force=1

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: linux-image-3.13.0-27-generic 3.13.0-27.50
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-27.50-generic 3.13.11
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-27-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.2
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: jerryj 2491 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: Unity
Date: Thu May 29 13:44:32 2014
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=d086eb7b-fb82-4308-a057-9ade21e76147
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-05-26 (2 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" - Release amd64 (20131016.1)
MachineType: Dell Inc. Dell System XPS L502X
ProcFB:
 0 inteldrmfb
 1 nouveaufb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-27-generic root=UUID=00af299c-1b11-4ab6-acd3-9e694d4c3ea4 ro quiet splash
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.13.0-27-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.13.0-27-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.127.2
RfKill:
 0: phy0: Wireless LAN
  Soft blocked: no
  Hard blocked: yes
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to trusty on 2014-05-27 (2 days ago)
dmi.bios.date: 09/07/2012
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: A12
dmi.board.name: 0YR8NN
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.board.version: A00
dmi.chassis.type: 8
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.chassis.version: 0.1
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA12:bd09/07/2012:svnDellInc.:pnDellSystemXPSL502X:pvr:rvnDellInc.:rn0YR8NN:rvrA00:cvnDellInc.:ct8:cvr0.1:
dmi.product.name: Dell System XPS L502X
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.

Revision history for this message
Jerry Ji (jerryji1976) wrote :
Revision history for this message
Brad Figg (brad-figg) wrote : Status changed to Confirmed

This change was made by a bot.

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status: New → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury) wrote : Re: i8k kernel module crashes system

Did this issue occur in a previous version of Ubuntu, or is this a new issue?

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v3.15 kernel[0].

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

If you are unable to test the mainline kernel, for example it will not boot, please add the tag: 'kernel-unable-to-test-upstream'.
Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.15-rc7-utopic/

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
importance: Undecided → High
status: Confirmed → Incomplete
tags: added: kernel-da-key
penalvch (penalvch)
tags: added: latest-bios-a12 regression-potential
summary: - i8k kernel module crashes system
+ [Dell XPS 15 (L502X)] i8k kernel module crashes system
Revision history for this message
Jerry Ji (jerryji1976) wrote :

1. I never used the i8k kernel module myself and only want to give it a try in 14.04 because my fan always seems to run at max speed. It is supposed to have worked according to http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/controlling-dell-fan-speeds-temperature-on-ubuntu-debian-linux/

2. I am not able to test the linux-image-3.15.0-031500rc7-generic_3.15.0-031500rc7.201405251935_amd64.deb kernel due to conflict with my nvidia prop driver --

Error! Bad return status for module build on kernel: 3.15.0-031500rc7-generic (x86_64)

3. Tags added

4. What's next?

tags: added: kernel-unable-to-test-upstream
Revision history for this message
Jerry Ji (jerryji1976) wrote :

I am not allowed to add "Confirmed" tag myself?

Revision history for this message
Liam P. White (liampwhite) wrote :

Worked on previous versions of Ubuntu — if you have older kernel versions installed, test those!

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status: Incomplete → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Liam P. White (liampwhite) wrote :

Tested with archived kernel versions:

- 3.0.0-12-generic
- 3.2.0-60-generic
- 3.13.0-24-generic
- 3.13.0-27-generic
- 3.13.0-29-generic (default)

Could not regain control of i8k on any of these kernels running Ubuntu 14.04. However, I was able to control the fans with i8kfan in previous versions of Ubuntu — this was an invaluable feature, as my BIOS would clock down the processor instead of turning up the fans when it got too hot. And I am constantly compiling other Launchpad branches, putting considerable strain on my processor.

I have a Dell Studio 1558 with an Intel Core i3 @ 2.26 GHz.

Revision history for this message
Liam P. White (liampwhite) wrote :

i8kutils "works" with the upstream kernel. i8kfan runs the fan for about 4 seconds, then immediately drops it back down to 0. However, this is a good improvement over the intermittent segfaulting previously.

tags: added: kernel-fixed-upstream
removed: kernel-unable-to-test-upstream
Revision history for this message
Liam P. White (liampwhite) wrote :

Unfortunately, my laptop cannot at all control its fan with the upstream kernel. It starts, and then intermittently stops, even when the CPU is over the 80*C threshold. This is not acceptable.

Revision history for this message
penalvch (penalvch) wrote :

Liam P. White, thank you for your comment. So your hardware and problem may be tracked, could you please file a new report with Ubuntu by executing the following in a terminal while booted into the default Ubuntu kernel (not a mainline one) via:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please read the official Ubuntu documentation:
Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue
Ubuntu Kernel Team: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports
Ubuntu Community: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helpful bug reporting tips:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs

tags: added: kernel-unable-to-test-upstream
removed: kernel-fixed-upstream
Revision history for this message
penalvch (penalvch) wrote :

Jerry Ji, could you please test the latest mainline kernel via http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.15-utopic/ and advise to the results?

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status: Confirmed → Incomplete
Revision history for this message
Launchpad Janitor (janitor) wrote :

[Expired for linux (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status: Incomplete → Expired
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