kernel-packages team mailing list archive

["Christopher M. Penalver" <christopher.m.penalver@xxxxxxxxx>]

teo1978, thank you for your comments. Regarding them:
>"this policy of having bugs expire just because they are not reported on the latest bios is ridiculous and must be changed."

Bugs don't expire because they are not initially reported on the latest
BIOS. They expire because they remain in the Incomplete Status for too
long. For more on this, please see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/Status .

>"Machines are out there with non updated BIOSes..."

The fact that many folks have computers with an outdated BIOS running
Ubuntu successfully is great. However, it doesn't mean if they report a
linux (Ubuntu) problem they wouldn't need to update their BIOS.

>"...and Linux must support them."

Linux, is not a company, nor a support organization, it is the kernel.
Despite this, If linux upstream thinks you have a bug due to an outdated
BIOS, instead of someone actually responding to your complaining about
updating, comments like this are typically promptly ignored (besides
embarrassing yourself in the process).

>"Other OSes support them."

All the OS companies and supporting organizations are all going to want
to see the BIOS updated. Your hardware vendor would advise you to update
your BIOS when you have a wonky hardware timing issue that isn't due to
a hardware failure. That's one of many reasons why vendors provide BIOS
updates (security, enhancements, etc.).

With this in mind, have you confirmed that this problem is not
reproducible in Windows?

>"The probability that a given bug will disappear by updating the BIOS
are close to zero,"

Unfortunately, this would be speculation.

>"and even if that is the case, that doesn't mean that the bug is CAUSED
by a bug in the BIOS."

That is the exact point you are missing. BIOS bugs can cause issues all
over the map, including yours.

>The default assumption should be that the bug is in the sotware, unless
there a proof of the contrary"

As already advised to you in
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette
If we are talking about user-space, then yes, the strategy is assume
it's a bug in the software, versus the kernel. With linux kernel bugs,
because the kernel is directly talking to the hardware, and an
improperly functioning, and poorly written BIOS has a direct, negative
effect on how the linux kernel behaves (same with Windows, Mac, etc.),
and in turn the upper user-space layer, one would need to ensure it's
updated. As well, an outdated BIOS can cause collateral damage problems.

>"Plus, a decent (and safe) way of updating the BIOS from within Ubuntu
without relying on booting from other OSes is not available."

While I haven't surveyed all the vendors in a while, I'm not presently
aware of vendors explicitly providing in-Ubuntu/(other linux vendor)
methods of updating the BIOS. However, that is a fantastic suggestion.
Have you reached out to Acer regarding this?

>"Until such a thing is provided, you can't expect Ubuntu users to
update their BIOS."

As already advised to you in
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BiosUpdate some vendors provide an in-
Windows update method, some provide a self contained OS to update from,
and some advise to use FreeDOS. As well, countless people, with all the
vendors noted in the article, and those vendors that are not, utilized
the methods already advised to you to successfully update their BIOS.

Hence, it is expected you update your BIOS. The more time you spend
complaining about updating, instead of either updating or asking for
help on doing so, is just causing a longer and longer delay of your
problem being resolved.

-- 
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/1335409

Title:
  [Acer Aspire V3-571G] Mousepad stopped working

Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu:
  Expired

Bug description:
  I disconnected the external usb mouse and keyboard from my laptop, and
  the builtin mousepad has stopped working. It doesn't respond to either
  movement nor cliks.

  I don't have any software installed to disable the mousepad when the
  external mouse is connected. The mousepad usually does works whether
  or not the external usb mouse is connected.

  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:  teo        2219 F.... pulseaudio
  CurrentDesktop: Unity
  Date: Sat Jun 28 13:06:03 2014
  HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=ff7e702a-a05a-47fd-8c14-551e81f9e9e3
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-10-11 (259 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.04 "Raring Ringtail" - Release amd64 (20130424)
  MachineType: Acer Aspire V3-571G
  ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
  ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-29-generic.efi.signed root=UUID=5830b30e-69e8-4bb4-8a2b-bc2b43c7414a 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                             1.127.4
  SourcePackage: linux
  UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to trusty on 2014-05-24 (34 days ago)
  dmi.bios.date: 10/15/2012
  dmi.bios.vendor: Acer
  dmi.bios.version: V2.07
  dmi.board.asset.tag: Type2 - Board Asset Tag
  dmi.board.name: VA50_HC_CR
  dmi.board.vendor: Acer
  dmi.board.version: Type2 - Board Version
  dmi.chassis.type: 10
  dmi.chassis.vendor: Acer
  dmi.chassis.version: V2.07
  dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAcer:bvrV2.07:bd10/15/2012:svnAcer:pnAspireV3-571G:pvrV2.07:rvnAcer:rnVA50_HC_CR:rvrType2-BoardVersion:cvnAcer:ct10:cvrV2.07:
  dmi.product.name: Aspire V3-571G
  dmi.product.version: V2.07
  dmi.sys.vendor: Acer

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