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Thread: HOWTO: Double Clock Speed Problem

  1. #1
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    HOWTO: Double Clock Speed Problem

    This is a HOWTO about a problem which can be very annoying and which affects mainly the computers with AMD64 processor (but not only) with some motherboards (e.g. my motherboard: MSI RS480). If you notice that the mouse pointer freezes randomly and everything goes slow then you might be affected by the “Double Clock Speed” problem.

    Make sure this is your problem:

    open: Applications – System Tools - "System Monitor" (from the menu in GNOME). If you have only KDE (then maybe you're using Kubuntu) you should install System Monitor by using Synaptic (as I've noticed “KSysguard” in KDE doesn't detect the problem). Click on “Resources”: you will see “CPU1”: and the percentage of usage of your processor. If the percentage is high (try this without any programs running), i.e. something like 50% or more then you have this problem.

    Another test: play an mp3 in Totem (or another app). If it goes too fast then you have this problem

    UBUNTU 64bit SECTION

    NOTE: this trick works on 64bit systems ONLY (if you want to use Ubuntu 32bit you should look at the end of the page or you will have to patch your kernel, something which will not be dealt in this HOWTO).

    I had this problem and I solved it thanks to NickB's help, so all the credits go to him. Thanks again Nick.

    Alberto

    [You need a kernel 2.6.12.x or higher (and a 64 bit Ubuntu system of course).
    The one which comes with Ubuntu Breezy is ok.]

    1) Launch “Terminal” (or “Konsole”) (the command line) and prompt:
    sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst
    (or if you use KDE put kate instead of gedit, or nano if you haven't them, which is unlikely)

    look for these lines:

    ## ## Start Default Options ## ## default kernel options ## default kernel options for automagic boot options ## If you want special options for specific kernels use kopt_x_y_z ## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted. ## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro # kopt=root=/dev/hda2 ro console=tty0 no_timer_check

    Just add no_timer_check in the kopt line (exactly where you see it in the example above, LEAVE THE REST OF YOUR FILE UNTOUCHED)

    3) Save the file and restart your computer (otherwise the trick might not work)

    4) After you have restarted your computer open “Terminal” (or Konsole) and prompt:

    sudo update-grub

    5) restart your computer again


    Enjoy!

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    UBUNTU 32BIT SECTION

    This trick doesn't work for everyone (it depends on your hardware). For this reason I suggest you to try it on an Ubuntu Livecd


    1)

    a) If you haven't installed Ubuntu 32 bit yet...

    The only way to find out without installing Ubuntu 32bit is to use an Ubuntu (32-bit) LIVECD and to try to prompt one (and ONLY 1 PER TIME) of the following options at boot:

    1) noapic nolapic
    OR
    2) noapic acpi=noirq
    OR
    3) noapic acpi=off
    OR
    4) noapictimer
    OR
    5) noapictimer irqpoll


    If you don't know how to do it follow these steps:
    Boot the Ubuntu live CD
    You will see a screen with the Ubuntu logo and the word "boot:" at the bottom of the page (if you don't do anything for several seconds the Livecd will go ahead and you won't be able to type anything)
    type (the words will appear beside "root:") "Live + the boot option" (e.g. "Live noapic nolapic") and press Enter

    Then the livecd should work as usual.

    OTHERWISE

    b) If you have installed Ubuntu...
    If you have installed Ubuntu and you want to see if it works for you:

    Turn on your computer and keep pressing "ESC" until you get to the GRUB menu.

    Select your kernel with your keyboard arrows (DO NOT PRESS ENTER) and Press "e".
    Then you will see 3 lines:
    Code:
    root (hd0,0)
    kernel	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.12-10-k7 root=/dev/hdb1 ro quiet splash
    initrd	/boot/initrd.img-2.6.12-10-k7
    Select the line which begins with the word "kernel" and press "e" to edit it.

    Add one [ONLY ONE i.e. only 1) or only 2) ] of the following things at the end of the line:

    1) noapic nolapic
    so that it will look like this:
    Code:
    kernel	/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.12-10-k7 root=/dev/hdb1 ro quiet splash noapic nolapic
    OR
    2) noapic acpi=noirq
    OR
    3) noapic acpi=off
    OR
    4) noapictimer
    OR
    5) noapictimer irqpoll
    OR
    6) noapic acpi=off
    OR
    7) noapic acpi=noirq nolapic

    Then get off the text field and press "b" to boot the kernel.

    See if it works.
    If Ubuntu DOESN'T boot, it hangs or you can't use your internet connection just reboot and follow the instructions again but try with option 2) or 3), 4), etc. until you solve your problem.

    When you find the boot options which work for you [ 1), 2) or 3), etc. ] you have to set them permanently (because the options you have jsut set will only last until you reboot).

    Follow the first part of the guide (the one about Ubuntu 64 bit) and put the options which work for you (e.g. "noapic nolapic") instead of "no_timer_check".

    Enjoy!

    Alberto
    Last edited by tseliot; February 4th, 2006 at 09:48 PM. Reason: Support for Ubuntu 32bit

  2. #2
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    Re: HOWTO: Double Clock Speed Problem

    I got to step 4 and could not complete it because I got the following at boot:
    /dev/hda2 does not exist! Dropping into a shell....
    Or something like that.

    It works, however, when I boot into 2.6.10 instead of .12 in Grub (that's what I'm doing now), though we still have the glorious 50% problem. I downloaded linux-amd64-generic from the Breezy repositories and its dependencies. This is an HP Pavilion zv6130, if anyone might want to know.

  3. #3
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    Re: HOWTO: Double Clock Speed Problem

    Can you post your fstab file? You can do it in this way:

    Open Terminal or Konsole and type:

    sudo gedit /etc/fstab (you can put "kate" instead of "gedit" if you use KDE)
    Last edited by tseliot; August 19th, 2005 at 08:03 AM.

  4. #4
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    Re: HOWTO: Double Clock Speed Problem

    Quote Originally Posted by Orborde
    I got to step 4 and could not complete it because I got the following at boot:
    /dev/hda2 does not exist! Dropping into a shell....
    Or something like that.

    It works, however, when I boot into 2.6.10 instead of .12 in Grub (that's what I'm doing now), though we still have the glorious 50% problem. I downloaded linux-amd64-generic from the Breezy repositories and its dependencies. This is an HP Pavilion zv6130, if anyone might want to know.
    /dev/hda2 was his given example. You have to set /dev/hda2 to whatever your root paritition is.
    Regards,
    FL-ei-|X|-iu-S
    ][ My Blog ][

  5. #5
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    Re: HOWTO: Double Clock Speed Problem

    Quote Originally Posted by tseliot
    Can you post your fstab file? You can do it in this way:

    Open Terminal or Konsole and type:

    sudo gedit /etc/fstab (you can put "kate" instead of "gedit" if you use KDE)
    # /etc/fstab: static file system information.
    #
    # <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
    proc /proc proc defaults 0 0
    /dev/hda2 / ext3 defaults,errors=remount-ro 0 1
    /dev/hda3 none swap sw 0 0
    /dev/hdc /media/cdrom0 udf,iso9660 ro,user,noauto 0 0


    /dev/hda2 is indeed my root file system.

  6. #6
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    Re: HOWTO: Double Clock Speed Problem

    Post also /boot/grub/menu.lst (in the same way as before)

  7. #7
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    Re: HOWTO: Double Clock Speed Problem

    I'm dual-booting Linux and Windows XP Pro from the same hard drive. Windows is on /dev/hda1.
    Code:
    # menu.lst - See: grub(8), info grub, update-grub(8)
    #            grub-install(8), grub-floppy(8),
    #            grub-md5-crypt, /usr/share/doc/grub
    #            and /usr/share/doc/grub-doc/.
    
    ## default num
    # Set the default entry to the entry number NUM. Numbering starts from 0, and
    # the entry number 0 is the default if the command is not used.
    #
    # You can specify 'saved' instead of a number. In this case, the default entry
    # is the entry saved with the command 'savedefault'.           
    default		0
    
    ## timeout sec
    # Set a timeout, in SEC seconds, before automatically booting the default entry
    # (normally the first entry defined).
    timeout		10
    
    ## hiddenmenu
    # Hides the menu by default (press ESC to see the menu)
    #hiddenmenu
    
    # Pretty colours
    #color cyan/blue white/blue
    
    ## password ['--md5'] passwd
    # If used in the first section of a menu file, disable all interactive editing
    # control (menu entry editor and command-line)  and entries protected by the
    # command 'lock'
    # e.g. password topsecret
    #      password --md5 $1$gLhU0/$aW78kHK1QfV3P2b2znUoe/
    # password topsecret
    
    #
    # examples
    #
    # title		Windows 95/98/NT/2000
    # root		(hd0,0)
    # makeactive
    # chainloader	+1
    #
    # title		Linux
    # root		(hd0,1)
    # kernel	/vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro
    #
    
    #
    # Put static boot stanzas before and/or after AUTOMAGIC KERNEL LIST
    
    ### BEGIN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
    ## lines between the AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST markers will be modified
    ## by the debian update-grub script except for the default optons below
    
    ## DO NOT UNCOMMENT THEM, Just edit them to your needs
    
    ## ## Start Default Options ##
    ## default kernel options
    ## default kernel options for automagic boot options
    ## If you want special options for specifiv kernels use kopt_x_y_z
    ## where x.y.z is kernel version. Minor versions can be omitted.
    ## e.g. kopt=root=/dev/hda1 ro
    # kopt=root=/dev/hda2 ro console=tty0 no_timer_check
    
    ## default grub root device
    ## e.g. groot=(hd0,0)
    # groot=(hd0,1)
    
    ## should update-grub create alternative automagic boot options
    ## e.g. alternative=true
    ##      alternative=false
    # alternative=true
    
    ## should update-grub lock alternative automagic boot options
    ## e.g. lockalternative=true
    ##      lockalternative=false
    # lockalternative=false
    
    ## altoption boot targets option
    ## multiple altoptions lines are allowed
    ## e.g. altoptions=(extra menu suffix) extra boot options
    ##      altoptions=(recovery mode) single
    # altoptions=(recovery mode) single
    
    ## nonaltoption boot targets option
    ## This option controls options to pass to only the
    ## primary kernel menu item.
    ## You can have ONLY one nonaltoptions line
    # nonaltoptions=quiet splash
    
    ## controls how many kernels should be put into the menu.lst
    ## only counts the first occurence of a kernel, not the
    ## alternative kernel options
    ## e.g. howmany=all
    ##      howmany=7
    # howmany=all
    
    ## should update-grub create memtest86 boot option
    ## e.g. memtest86=true
    ##      memtest86=false
    # memtest86=true
    
    ## ## End Default Options ##
    
    title		Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-6-amd64-generic Default 
    root		(hd0,1)
    kernel		/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro console=tty0 no_timer_check quiet splash
    initrd		/boot/initrd.img
    savedefault
    boot
    
    title		Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-6-amd64-generic Default (recovery mode)
    root		(hd0,1)
    kernel		/boot/vmlinuz root=/dev/hda2 ro console=tty0 no_timer_check single
    initrd		/boot/initrd.img
    savedefault
    boot
    
    title		Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.10-5-amd64-generic Previous 
    root		(hd0,1)
    kernel		/boot/vmlinuz.old root=/dev/hda2 ro console=tty0 no_timer_check quiet splash
    initrd		/boot/initrd.img.old
    savedefault
    boot
    
    title		Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.10-5-amd64-generic Previous (recovery mode)
    root		(hd0,1)
    kernel		/boot/vmlinuz.old root=/dev/hda2 ro console=tty0 no_timer_check single
    initrd		/boot/initrd.img.old
    savedefault
    boot
    
    title		Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-6-amd64-generic 
    root		(hd0,1)
    kernel		/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.12-6-amd64-generic root=/dev/hda2 ro console=tty0 no_timer_check quiet splash
    initrd		/boot/initrd.img-2.6.12-6-amd64-generic
    savedefault
    boot
    
    title		Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.12-6-amd64-generic (recovery mode)
    root		(hd0,1)
    kernel		/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.12-6-amd64-generic root=/dev/hda2 ro console=tty0 no_timer_check single
    initrd		/boot/initrd.img-2.6.12-6-amd64-generic
    savedefault
    boot
    
    title		Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.10-5-amd64-generic 
    root		(hd0,1)
    kernel		/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.10-5-amd64-generic root=/dev/hda2 ro console=tty0 no_timer_check quiet splash
    initrd		/boot/initrd.img-2.6.10-5-amd64-generic
    savedefault
    boot
    
    title		Ubuntu, kernel 2.6.10-5-amd64-generic (recovery mode)
    root		(hd0,1)
    kernel		/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.10-5-amd64-generic root=/dev/hda2 ro console=tty0 no_timer_check single
    initrd		/boot/initrd.img-2.6.10-5-amd64-generic
    savedefault
    boot
    
    title		Ubuntu, kernel memtest86+ 
    root		(hd0,1)
    kernel		/boot/memtest86+.bin  
    savedefault
    boot
    
    ### END DEBIAN AUTOMAGIC KERNELS LIST
    
    # This is a divider, added to separate the menu items below from the Debian
    # ones.
    title		Other operating systems:
    root
    
    
    # This entry automatically added by the Debian installer for a non-linux OS
    # on /dev/hda1
    title		Windows NT/2000/XP (loader)
    root		(hd0,0)
    savedefault
    makeactive
    chainloader	+1
    Last edited by Orborde; August 19th, 2005 at 05:43 PM.

  8. #8
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    Re: HOWTO: Double Clock Speed Problem

    The files look correctly set.

    Now, tell me what happened when you tried to boot kernel 2.6.12. You said this happens:

    /dev/hda2 does not exist! Dropping into a shell.

    What does it happen then? Kernel Panic, a system freeze, or what?

  9. #9
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    Re: HOWTO: Double Clock Speed Problem

    Quote Originally Posted by tseliot
    The files look correctly set.

    Now, tell me what happened when you tried to boot kernel 2.6.12. You said this happens:

    /dev/hda2 does not exist! Dropping into a shell.

    What does it happen then? Kernel Panic, a system freeze, or what?
    I was a little off on the error message, seeing as I'm doing it from memory.
    "Unable to find volume group "hda2"
    ALERT! /dev/hda2 does not exist! Dropping to a shell!"

    Then I get
    "/bin/sh: can't start tty: job management disabled"
    and then I get a command line with only # at the beginning of each line; it appears I'm running /bin/sh...somewhere. I can navigate the filesystem a little, but it's a stripped-down filesystem; only the shell and inbuilt commands seem to be there. The /home directory is not there at all, for example, nor any other software. I assume that this is because /dev/hda2 is not mounted at all when it should be mounted at / , so I'm getting the "core" Linux filesystem only. When I go to /dev, ls hda2 and ls hda0 turn up nothing.

    Should I type in "exit", we get a kernel panic about attempting to kill init.

  10. #10
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    Re: HOWTO: Double Clock Speed Problem

    This is weird. And I've come to think it could be related to the Breezy kernel (they can be buggy sometimes).
    What I need you to do is to follow my HOWTO about kernel compilation. It's an easy, and step-by-step guide and it doesn't require any experience (you know how to install things in Synaptic orKynaptic and how to open Terminal or Konsole, don't you? ).

    http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=56835

    Download the latest stable kernel from "www.kernel.org" (2.6.12-4, I guess) instead of Ubuntu sources (which is recommended in my guide and follow the same steps as the guide.


    If you have any problems, please ask me.

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