Re: Kernel freeze with v3.13 on Avoton CPUs

[Guenter Roeck <linux@roeck-us.net>]

On 01/23/2014 01:44 PM, Peter Tyser wrote:
> On 01/23/2014 12:50 AM, Guenter Roeck wrote:
>> Hi folks,
>>
>> we are seeing an odd problem with kernel version 3.13 running on Mohan Peak
>> with an Avoton 8-core CPU. The kernel boots to the login prompt and then
>> freezes silently within a few seconds.
>>
>> The problem disappears if we revert patch 8477128fe0 (mfd: lpc_ich: Add support
>> for Intel Avoton SoC).
>>
>> v3.10.27 runs fine. If we cherry-pick 8477128fe0 on top of 3.10.27 we see
>> exactly the same problem.
>>
>> Any idea what might be causing this, and/or what we could do to track this down
>> further ?
>
> I took a look at the Avoton datasheet, and it looks like its register
> layout is close, but not identical to the other ICH chipsets supported
> by the lpc_ich driver which could be part of the issue.
>
> Eg the "enable ACPI BAR" bit is in register offset 0x44 of PCI device
> 31, function 0 on most ICH chipsets, while it's in 0x40 on the Avoton.
> So on the Avoton the "enable ACPI BAR" bit isn't being set by the
> lpc_ich driver.  If your BIOS didn't set this bit, it could cause
> erratic behavior since Linux assumes the ACPI region has been enabled.
> The driver is also writing to offset 0x44 which is RO/reserved on the
> Avoton.  In theory this should be OK, but clearly isn't "correct".
>
> The same comment applies to the GPIO register in PCI device 31, function
> 0.  The current lpc_ich driver enables the GPIO region in offset 0x4C
> while the Avoton does in 0x48.
>
> I'm not sure if the above explains the specific behavior you saw, but
> does indicate that the driver shouldn't be used for the Avoton as-is.
>
> I don't have an Avoton to try and reproduce, but do have access to a Bay
> Trail platform which appears to have the same register layout as the
> Avoton.  I can give adding it to the lpc_ich driver a shot in the next
> week and see if I run into the same issues as you did.
>
> In the short term we could either revert 8477128fe0 or wait a bit until
> more investigation is done in hopes that we can fix it.
>

As a follow up on this problem, it appears that the culprit may be the iTCO
watchdog timer, which is enabled in our system. Looks like the iTCO registers
are sufficiently similar to enable the watchdog, but different enough
to cause the heartbeat ping to fail. If so, that would explain why the
system freezes only after reaching the login prompt.

So far this is only a theory since I don't have a Rangeley/Avoton datasheet
and can not really compare registers. I'll try to dig one up and find out more.

Thanks,
Guenter