Computer Shuts off during installation

leggettc13 · n00b Joined: 08 Oct 2017 Posts: 3

I've been trying to install Gentoo onto my Computer several times following the handbook step by step, but each time it cuts off while updating the @world set.
I currently have an AMD A10 5800K APU. What could be going on here? Does Gentoo have any issues with this processor? Is it just not powerful enough for all the compiling it needs to do? I've never had this issue with any binary distributions I've used. Could it just be my power supply crapping out on me?
Any help is appreciated, let me know if you need more information.

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2017 9:14 pm Post subject:

leggettc13,

Welcome to Gentoo.

I suspect you have a thermal issue. I recall that the AMD A10 is popular in laptops and other small form factor systems.

There are several things to do.
1) improve the cooling by propping the edges of the system on two large books, so air can circulate underneath.
2) run the system on edge, so natural convection helps the cooling.
3) reduce the number of parallel make threads. That's MAKEOPTS in make.conf
4) check that your fan is running during compiling. (The live media may not have automatic support for your system)

There is no need to start the install over.
_________________
Regards,

NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.

leggettc13 · n00b Joined: 08 Oct 2017 Posts: 3

Thanks for responding.

I am actually using this in a Desktop. I made that decision when I was much younger and less experienced. Had I known then what I know now, I would have probably bought a normal Intel CPU. But I digress

1) While it will not be quite that simple on a Desktop Computer, there are some ways I can improve circulation potential, I will try that.
2) I'm not quite sure I understand what you mean by that?
3) I'm not sure why I didn't think of this. Thanks!
4) Didn't think of this either, I'll check next time! If it doesn't work is there a command I can run or do I need to use one of the additional modules available in the installation media that I can pick during bootup?

I will try some of these things and report back. In the meantime I do have a few questions listed above if you can answer them. Thank you again!

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:15 pm Post subject:

leggettc13,

Most laptops have an air intake on the bottom and an exhaust at one side, so the airflow path is horizosnal.
By standing a laptop on its edge, the airflow becomes vertical ... like a chimney and more effective as a result.
Desktops are not arranged that way, so its unlikely to help you.

Did you assemble the system yourself?
Its very easy to use too much heatsink compound between the fan and the CPU.
Even good heatsink compound is a pretty good thermal insulator but its a much better thermal conductor than the air it displaces.
You need enough to displace the air and no more.

Some systems provide fan control via software under user control.
Some do it in the BIOS
Others run the fan at full speed always.

The make and model of your motherboard might be enough. Then we can find the manual online.
_________________
Regards,

NeddySeagoon

Computer users fall into two groups:-
those that do backups
those that have never had a hard drive fail.

leggettc13 · n00b Joined: 08 Oct 2017 Posts: 3

I'm currently doing the updating the world set step again with a smaller value for the MAKEOPTS concurrent threads variable and seeing what that does. I've positioned the computer in an area that will allow it increased airflow. Good news is that the fans are definitely running.

I did assemble the system myself, quite a few years ago. Thermals have never been an issue for me until now so I haven't messed with Thermal Compound since I've assembled it. That could very well be the problem. I shall explore that solution if this attempt fails.

I appreciate your help thus far good sir!

NeddySeagoon · Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2017 11:14 pm Post subject:

leggettc13,

Get your basic handbook install complete then install lm_sensors to have a look at your thermals.

djentoo · n00b Joined: 17 Oct 2017 Posts: 37

Regarding starting the install over:

When using a Live CD to install Gentoo it is easy to boot up and pick up wherever you left off in the installation process. If you have just partitioned, applied the filesystems, and initialized swap partitions, you would just continue with the mounting the root partition of the guide. If you are further along in the process (i.e. have at least installed the stage tarball), you need to do the following before continuing:

Mount the partition (verify the correct location of the root partition using parted; sda4 is only an example):

djentoo · n00b Joined: 17 Oct 2017 Posts: 37

You can also review your BIOS settings to adjust the hardware settings (check to make sure the CPU isn't ridiculously overclocked or anything). In there it should also indicate the temp. It could very well also be a PSU problem. It could be a number of hardware problems, actually. Hopefully it's just a cooling problem, though.

Tony0945 · Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:57 pm Post subject: