[NTLUG:Discuss] Dell Latitude Boot Problems

[kbrannen@gte.net]

Melody & Andrew Dennis wrote:
> Hello Everyone,
> I've been "lurking" on this list for quite a while, and finally decided to 
> join in.
> 
> Here's my problem:
> I have two Dell Latitude CPI Laptops, one 366MHz PII and one 400MHz PII,
> other than the CPU speeds & hard drive sizes, they are configured with exactly 
> the same hardware.  My problem is that after installation of Slack 9.2 with 
> the default kernel, no special configs or anything else, both computers boot 
> just fine the first time.  After that, when I reboot for one reason or 
> another, they just freeze at exactly the same point.  If this was an 
> incompatibility problem, I can see neither computer booting at all, but it 
> only occurs after I have installed, rebooted, worked a little bit, and then 
> attempted to boot again.........
> 
> I believe the problem lies with the NeoMagic 256 Video cards (kernel message 
> output is as follows)
> 
> PCI: Found IRQ 5 for device 01:00.
> nm256: Found card signature in video RAM: 0x3fec00
> nm256: Mapping port 1 from 0x3f09a0 - 0x3fec00
> 
> At this point, boot progresses no further.  If I start the install process all 
> over, everything is fine until that magical second reboot.  I've reflashed 
> both bios's to the latest available, yet the problem still remains, although 
> some sound config problems I had are now gone.......

Welcome!

For problems like this on laptops, I like to blame ACPI, :-) especially on 
older laptops.  So try putting "acpi=off" on the boot line.  You might also 
try "apm=off" if the first doesn't help.

I'm willing to bet one or both of those is the problem, as many installs turn 
them both off for maximum compatibility, but since you didn't tell it to keep 
them off, it turned 1 or both back on for successive boots, hence the behavior 
you're seeing.

Also, be sure to check the Linux Laptops page, you may find that and other 
info that will be very helpful.  See http://www.linux-laptop.net/

HTH,
Kevin