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[Bug 1331251] Re: [Dell Studio 1558] kernel is missing support for i8k module

 

Christopher,

I performed these steps, in the order that they were listed:
1. Uninstall i8kutils
2. Download and install the upstream Utopic kernel
3. Reboot

At this point, I heard the fan turn on high, and assumed that this was
related to the uninstallation of i8kutils. Surely enough, reinstalling
i8kutils caused the fan to immediately turn off, despite the processor
being at rather a high temperature.

The issue I mentioned about overheating with the new kernel is now
perhaps not of Linux but instead of i8kutils' installed service i8kmon.
Running:

~# service i8kmon stop

on tty1 prevented i8kmon from further interfering with my fan after me
manually setting it with i8kfan, allowing me to compile Inkscape in a
record time of 10 minutes.

TL;DR the reported bug is fixed in upstream.

Thanks again,
Liam

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1331251

Title:
  [Dell Studio 1558] kernel is missing support for i8k module

Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu:
  Incomplete

Bug description:
  On previous versions of Ubuntu, I could use i8kfan to control the fans
  on my laptop. I am usually up to compiling lp:inkscape , and when my
  fan speed decreases while compiling, that is a problem. A big problem,
  in fact.

  Now, on 14.04 with kernel 3.13.0-29-generic, I can no longer use
  anything from the package belonging to the branch lp:i8kutils, instead
  receiving this error message:

  ~# i8kfan 2 2
  can't open /proc/i8k: No such file or directory

  Manually inserting the module also returns an error, to make it seem such as that the kernel was not compiled with i8k support.
  ~# modprobe i8k
  modprobe: ERROR: could not insert 'i8k': No such device

  ~# insmod /lib/modules/3.13.0-29-generic/kernel/drivers/char/i8k.ko
  insmod: ERROR: could not insert module /lib/modules/3.13.0-29-generic/kernel/drivers/char/i8k.ko: No such device

  I also tested this with archived kernel versions on the same device:
  - 3.0.0-12-generic
  - 3.2.0-60-generic
  - 3.13.0-24-generic
  - 3.13.0-27-generic
  - 3.13.0-29-generic (default)
  I could not regain control of i8k on any of these kernels running Ubuntu 14.04. 

  Related bug #1324372 "[Dell XPS 15 (L502X)] i8k kernel module crashes
  system"

  Upstream kernel (3.15.0-031500rc7-generic) does not truly fix the
  issue either: while I can control the fan, it appears as though the
  kernel is not effectively blocking the SMM BIOS control mechanisms
  from regaining control in about 5 seconds.

  To put it more simply: running i8kfan to control the fans works — for
  5 seconds. Then the fans turn off completely again. Not good for a
  machine that is at a severe overheating risk. There is no way to keep
  the fans on, even during intensive CPU usage. Reaching its maximum
  operating temperature, the machine shuts down to avoid serious damage
  to the processor.

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
  Package: linux-image-3.13.0-29-generic 3.13.0-29.53
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-29.53-generic 3.13.11.2
  Uname: Linux 3.13.0-29-generic x86_64
  ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.2
  Architecture: amd64
  AudioDevicesInUse:
   USER        PID ACCESS COMMAND
   /dev/snd/controlC0:  liam       1661 F.... pulseaudio
  CurrentDesktop: GNOME
  Date: Tue Jun 17 20:07:39 2014
  HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=c869f245-8053-4b24-ac59-317cdddc1f67
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-04-21 (57 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-GNOME 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20140416.2)
  Lsusb:
   Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0020 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
   Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
   Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0c45:6416 Microdia 
   Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0020 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
   Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
  MachineType: Dell Inc. Studio 1558
  ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
  ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-29-generic root=UUID=61428a05-4276-43bc-acc1-88079fc166b3 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
  RelatedPackageVersions:
   linux-restricted-modules-3.13.0-29-generic N/A
   linux-backports-modules-3.13.0-29-generic  N/A
   linux-firmware                             1.127.2
  RfKill:
   0: phy0: Wireless LAN
   	Soft blocked: no
   	Hard blocked: no
  SourcePackage: linux
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
  dmi.bios.date: 03/30/2011
  dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
  dmi.bios.version: A12
  dmi.board.name: 0G939P
  dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
  dmi.board.version: A12
  dmi.chassis.type: 8
  dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
  dmi.chassis.version: A12
  dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA12:bd03/30/2011:svnDellInc.:pnStudio1558:pvrA12:rvnDellInc.:rn0G939P:rvrA12:cvnDellInc.:ct8:cvrA12:
  dmi.product.name: Studio 1558
  dmi.product.version: A12
  dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.

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