USB Problems (Kernel Lockup)

phi · n00b Joined: 11 Jul 2002 Posts: 7

I recently purchased a Zaurus SL-5500, which I really like. However, I've had the following problems with deadly kernel lockups. Here's the story:

The Zaurus maintains a connection with the computer with a PPP network connection. In order to connect to my PDA on my GNU/Linux box, I needed to download a kernel patch for 2.4.19 with a module called usbdnet. Once the kernel module is loaded, and the Zaurus is in the cradle wihle powered on, a new ethernet device is created. At first I needed to maintain IP and netmask addresses in /etc/hotplug, until I upgraded the Zaurus ROM to 2.38 which uses DHCP to connect instead to eliminate a secuirty issue.

Either way, when transferring large files, or even just repetative file checking on my computer, my system with do a hard lockup and the Caps Lock and Scroll Lock LEDs flash. I figured this to be a problem with the usbdnet module is dealt with having to do a hard reset everytime it happened (And it happened frequently.) *shudder*

However, I think there might be a problem with the kernel. I recently purchased a USB CF Reader and a 256mb CF card for my Zaurus. I use the usb-storage module in order to mount the CF, which *seems* to work, except sometimes when I'm transferring a lot of data, like recently when I was copying a couple hours of Ogg Vorbis files to the CF so I could listen to them on my Zaurus, my system would do a hard lock again! While installing other files, it even locked up on me once while copying a 512k file.

I figured that since this is obviously a USB problem, since these two USB deviecs do this, I would try different things in the kernel. I tried enabling USB Bandwidth allocation, but to no avail. File transfers are just slower and it still locks it up. I was advised to use the usb-uhci module as oppposed to the plain uhci module. Is that a mistake? Is that the cause of my problems? Does any one else have this problem with the vanillia 2.4.19 kernel (Or even vanilla patched with the usbdnet module?)

I would really appreciate the help.

phi · n00b Joined: 11 Jul 2002 Posts: 7

When I said "... transferring large files, or even just repetative file checking on my computer ..." that was in reference to running Qtopia Desktop, the interface to the Zaurus. As in, copying a huge file from my computer to the Zaurus' memory through the usbdnet module.

plate · Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2002 4:14 am Post subject: Re: USB Problems (Kernel Lockup)

acidreign · Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2002 2:17 pm Post subject: SMP

what is the chances you are using an SMP machine, there was some changes made to 2.4.19 in regards to USB and SMP. Might be worth your while to upgrade.