[IPCop-user] CPU#0: Unexpected Int18 (Machine Check)

[Paolo Andretta]

This is the error that I have when I try to install IpCop 1.4.6 on an old
server (Olivetti SNX 160: Dual Pentium 100 whit only 1 CPU; HDD SCSI (AIC
7850); CD-ROM SCSI that not boot :-((( )
I have tried to install from floppy, but after some hardware check I have
lot of this messages on the screen.
The box was used as fw with a RH 7.x for last 4 years (still active on
disk), so I know hardware works.

Any hints?

[Robert Kerr]

Post by Paolo Andretta
This is the error that I have when I try to install IpCop 1.4.6 on an old
server (Olivetti SNX 160: Dual Pentium 100 whit only 1 CPU; HDD SCSI (AIC
7850); CD-ROM SCSI that not boot :-((( )
I have tried to install from floppy, but after some hardware check I have
lot of this messages on the screen.
The box was used as fw with a RH 7.x for last 4 years (still active on
disk), so I know hardware works.
Any hints?

A machine check exception usually indicates a problem with the CPU, maybe
it's overheating, maybe it doesn't have enough voltage, maybe it's voltage is
too high. However, that it's an 'unexpected' interrupt is rather interesting,
as far as I can tell this should only happen if the system can't identify the
CPU. Normally the kernel will attach a decoder for the right type of CPU, in
your case it should be using the pentium decoder, but somehow it's fallen
back to the default one. I can't really explain why - but I'd guess it
doesn't like the fact it's a dual CPU system with only 1 CPU.

It might be worth trying to install 1.4.2 - this used a different kernel
version and might install ok. Once you've installed you could then upgrade to
1.4.6 and hopefully the problem will turn out to be only in the installer.