kernel-packages team mailing list archive

["Harri K. Hiltunen" <harri.k.hiltunen@xxxxxxxxx>]

It doesn't matter whether this machine has the common old-age ailment of
dried thermal grease or not. It's part of normal ageing, so Linux needs
to be able to handle it in a non-destructive way.

Now Linux is being bullheadedly intolerant to common ailments. It's like
a doctor letting an old patient suffer from an indefinitely drug-
relievable illness and saying "no, you must buy an expensive life-
threatening surgery to correct the underlying root cause". (This parable
is apt, because in my computer one insert brass nut has popped off the
case and is now spinning in its cavity with the screw, so I would have
to do something drastic to even reach the thermal grease.)

What kind of an attitude is that to the continual improvement of Linux?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continual_improvement_process
Will it ever be smart if you avoid making it smarter? Or have I mistaken about the goal of Linux development?

Even my car from 1995 (Nissan) is smarter than this: in the case of
overheating, it can protect itself gracefully in many ways; it doesn't
kill the engine demanding immediate cooling system repair - it starts
doing every possible cooling action and avoiding various heating actions
in the order of least annoyance to the user. Then it informs the user
about the heat problem, so that they can help. Then it files an error
report about having overheated. Quite a lot better than Linux in 2015.

The concept of "failing safely" should be applied here. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fail-safe
Users of these ailing (or just dusty) computers are now suffering of abrupt forced shut downs when they could easily be given lesser evils (noisier fan, slower processing, suspending for a bit every once in a while). 

All the opportunities to remedy the situation should be taken, because
as nothing always works, a low number of actions taken will more likely
fail in someone's computer.

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Kernel
Packages, which is subscribed to linux in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1491797

Title:
  Shuts down when supposed to suspend as a reaction to self-caused
  overheat, session lost

Status in linux package in Ubuntu:
  In Progress

Bug description:
  Error:
  Kernel foolishly shuts down the computer when it overheats.
  /var/log/kern.log
  W500 kernel: [1448.648529] thermal thermal_zone1: critical temperature reached (100 C), shutting down

  Consequence:
  Shutting down destroys session in Ubuntu, Gnome, and all applications that can't remember their latest conscious state (most applications).

  Attempted repair, failed:
  Laptop has suspending ability, but I can't find the setting for the kernel to make the computer suspend instead of shutting down.

  Repair suggestions:
  1. Persistence of session, so that everything would reappear after the restart. (this would also make updating less disruptive)
  2. Do not heat the machine like crazy; speed up fans or slow down processes. (problematic Lenovo Thinkpad W500 fan on low speed right up to the fiery end)
  3. Put the computer to suspend when it's too hot.

  (The problem has remained the same from at least Ubuntu 11.10 through
  14.04)

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
  Package: linux-image-3.13.0-62-generic 3.13.0-62.102
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-62.102-generic 3.13.11-ckt24
  Uname: Linux 3.13.0-62-generic x86_64
  ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.12
  Architecture: amd64
  AudioDevicesInUse:
   USER        PID ACCESS COMMAND
   /dev/snd/controlC0:  user       2171 F.... pulseaudio
  CurrentDesktop: Unity
  Date: Thu Sep  3 13:42:28 2015
  HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=991e1383-ff5b-46c1-84c4-c904e1d81256
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-12-29 (612 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" - Release amd64 (20131016.1)
  MachineType: LENOVO 4063B22
  PccardctlIdent:
   Socket 0:
     no product info available
  PccardctlStatus:
   Socket 0:
     no card
  ProcFB: 0 radeondrmfb
  ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-62-generic root=UUID=bd426989-b545-41b3-97b8-de9410f27aa6 ro persistent quiet splash vt.handoff=7
  RelatedPackageVersions:
   linux-restricted-modules-3.13.0-62-generic N/A
   linux-backports-modules-3.13.0-62-generic  N/A
   linux-firmware                             1.127.15
  SourcePackage: linux
  UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to trusty on 2014-04-27 (494 days ago)
  dmi.bios.date: 12/14/2011
  dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO
  dmi.bios.version: 6FET92WW (3.22 )
  dmi.board.name: 4063B22
  dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO
  dmi.board.version: Not Available
  dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Information
  dmi.chassis.type: 10
  dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO
  dmi.chassis.version: Not Available
  dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvr6FET92WW(3.22):bd12/14/2011:svnLENOVO:pn4063B22:pvrThinkPadW500:rvnLENOVO:rn4063B22:rvrNotAvailable:cvnLENOVO:ct10:cvrNotAvailable:
  dmi.product.name: 4063B22
  dmi.product.version: ThinkPad W500
  dmi.sys.vendor: LENOVO

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