Ubuntu stuck booting
- Thread starter carsten
- Start date
karlsteinscheisser
New Member
Same here, we are running 200+ devices of the old version of the N40 without any problems.
The new variant has this Realtek Wireless which does not work on 5.4 (we are using ubuntu mate 20.04 lts), the intel wireless on the old model worked really great.
Any attempts to upgrade to a newer kernel resulted in these tons of CPU softlock messages, resulting in an unusable system.
The clue is, when fist booting a 5.4er kernel and afterwards a 5.11er kernel from the hwe, the system works.
This must be some kind of an initialization issue.
Anyway the new model seems to be a step backwards related to the linux compatibility.
Unfortunately we ordered another 200+ devices of the new model, which are unsuable at the moment for us.
Any help would be appreciated.
The new variant has this Realtek Wireless which does not work on 5.4 (we are using ubuntu mate 20.04 lts), the intel wireless on the old model worked really great.
Any attempts to upgrade to a newer kernel resulted in these tons of CPU softlock messages, resulting in an unusable system.
The clue is, when fist booting a 5.4er kernel and afterwards a 5.11er kernel from the hwe, the system works.
This must be some kind of an initialization issue.
Anyway the new model seems to be a step backwards related to the linux compatibility.
Unfortunately we ordered another 200+ devices of the new model, which are unsuable at the moment for us.
Any help would be appreciated.
karlsteinscheisser
New Member
Can you confirm that these soft lockups are related to the wireless network card/driver?
karlsteinscheisser
New Member
For anyone having issues with the N40, any kernel version >= 5.11 is causing these soft lockups.
We succeeded with a 5.10.30 mainline kernel (newer mainline kernels need a more recent libc) on ubuntu mate 20.04
Alpine 3.x is working too, because it is shipped with 5.10 kernel
We succeeded with a 5.10.30 mainline kernel (newer mainline kernels need a more recent libc) on ubuntu mate 20.04
Alpine 3.x is working too, because it is shipped with 5.10 kernel
The error doesn't happen deterministically for me. Try cutting the power in between reboots and you will be able to reproduce it quickly. Once it booted successfully, reboots work without problem.
Thank you! 21.04 with 5.10 mainline seems to be working for now!
karlsteinscheisser
New Member
yes, this is exactly what we have found, consecutive reboots are no problem, but a power loss causes the soft lockups on the next boot
Carbon fib'er
Active Member
I don't have an N40. I may not undertand something. But, reading the preceeding posts, it sounds like the problem is the wifi card? If so, you can replace the m.2 wifi card (e.g., Intel AX200 without "vpro" costs $20 USD, and works fine in Linux).
I've had to do that a few times. Some network cards never seem to be fully supported in Linux, require a proprietary driver. Instead of jumping though hoops (for a year?), $20 and done. I chalk it up to the cost of running Linux. (I think the only thing Minisforum can take seriously is choosing their wifi cards more carefully. From what I've seen, most computer brands don't.). If I misunderstood the topic, I apologize.
Carbon fib'er
Active Member
I wasn't going to say anything because I thought that could be what it is. But, at least once in this thread it's referred to as a "card." A card is common. I don't think I've seen a soldered wifi chipset in a long time. (On my HX90, it's under the nvme stick.).
If it's a card, you can just determine what wifi cards are known to be linux friendly. I know the Intel AX200 is solid on linux (it comes with a "vpro" feature that is for remote management. You don't need that, and can save a bit of money without it.). It often comes with a PCI card & antennas for installation into a desktop. You can find "bulk packaging" where it's just the m2 card to save a little money too. (Mine was $18 USD on ebay). But, there's older/used b/g/n cards too. (Probably $5, but slower without a/c/x [whatever the latest protocol is] support). The only thing you have to do is make sure the card is the same form factor, same "key" connector edge, and that it's known to work with Linux without drama.).