dc7700c bios 1.14, linux, acpi=off still needed

[dravet]

Hello,

I just installed bios 1.14A on a dc7700c in the lab. I was hoping 1.14A would get rid of the need to boot linux with acpi=off, but alas it does not. Who should I pester to get this issue fixed? I am using kernel 2.6.21.5.

Thanks,
Jason

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom Jason,

HP's response on this matter has been to recommend other models for Linux.

To be honest if you drop a $20 Intel GB MT-1000 NIC in the system it will work fine with Linux.

Our response to HP's stonewalling on this issue has been:
1) We do not support Linux on that model. Internal customers that buy the model are not permitted to install Linux. If they ignore us they receive no support.
2) Buy IBM low end boxes that support Linux.

SEP

[dravet]

Greetings Steven,

Thank you for the quick response. Unfortunately I didn't have a say on what model was purchased. I just have to work with the several hundred units that were chosen by others. Do you happen to know what exactly is the problem with this system and linux?

Thanks,
Jason

[Tim Chambers]

Jason,

The form for inquiries from Linux customers is at the top of the page at http://hp.com/go/linux marked "Got a big project?"

That will send mail to my inbox. I need you to fill out the form to start working on your issue. I can't guarantee that HP will be able to fix the acpi=off problem, but I'll get an update for you. (Keep in mind that HP will be closed next week, so I ask that you be patient.)

[Tim Chambers]

Jason, I re-read your question and noticed that you asked for what the problem is. Does this help?

1. RHEL 5.0 will only install if the kernel flag 'acpi=off' is
supplied at boot time (either by the user, or permanently set in
/etc/grub.conf)

2. The accelerated graphics driver from Intel has a serious bug which
causes the display to become unreadable if you switch to a tty.
If this happens, the only remedy is to reboot the machine. If you
change your video driver to vesa, the situation is a bit better
because you can fix the problem simply by bringing the machine
down to runlevel 3 and then back up to runlevel 5. It's best if
you never switch to a standard tty to begin with.

3. Audio plays only out of the front jacks. This should be fixed in
the next version of ALSA (1.0.14rc3) but you would have add that
to the system on your own.

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1081719
also has some information about Linux on the dc7700 that you might
find useful. (Try booting with "pci=conf1".)

Ref. http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1081719

[dravet]

Hi Tim,

I just finished filling out the form on the contact page you mentioned. I realize that HP can't fix every problem, but I am hopeful. I also know that with the holidays things are going to take time. To answer your questions:

1. acpi=off and pci=nommconfig will get the pc to boot linux, I haven't tried pci=conf1
2. I was not aware of the video bug you mentioned. We always start in runlevel 3 and run startx if we need too. When we exit we get our usual command prompt.
3. The front mounted jacks are not a problem for us as we don't use them.

I ran the linux firmware tool from http://linuxfirmwarekit.org/ and I can send you the results.

Thanks and have a nice holiday,
Jason