Q1900-ITX with Ubuntu 16.04 Freezing

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Pepe

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Topic: Q1900-ITX with Ubuntu 16.04 Freezing
Posted: 28 Jul 2017 at 4:31pm

Hello,

I have also this issue with my Q1900-ITX board.
I'm currently running Debian 8 with kernel 4.9, but I will try to as lodger suggested and I will respond here.

Anyway it is really shame that this issue is known since 2015.

mschwartz

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Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 6:15am

I had similar issues with Ubuntu using I7 7700.

The fix was to update the bios. The bios has the ability to download the uodate to USB flash drive, then flash the system from the flash drive.

It seemed to be Ethernet network related. Downloading the bios update locked up, not even running Ubuntu at that point.

The c-state trick and others did nothing. The bios flash turned my system into a rock solid workstation.

ASRock DeskMini 110 with I7 7700, 32G RAM, Samsung 960 EVO NVME, 960GB SanDisk SSD. An active DisplayPort to HDMI gets me 4K @ 60Hz. I got a 40" UHD TV for $299, and it is fast and a delight to use at native resolution.

I did some software development (multi minute) compiles on this and my other systems. This box is about 1.5x faster than my iMac 5K, maxed out. Even faster than my 4K 21" iMac and 2015 15" MacBook Pro.

I installed Cinnamon 3 as my GUI.

The system cost about $1250, including the TV. A fraction (less than half) of the cost of any of those mac machines.

You can build a $400 system with I3 7100 that's a capable workstation. If you don't need the computing or disk space.

I hope this helps someone out there.

2del

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Posted: 11 Apr 2017 at 4:07pm

Thanks for the reply @lodger. I saw that, I've configured in BIOS, and we'll see.

The intriguing part is that the bios 1.8 should resolve some issues, and they did not release it for the DC version. I don't understand why bios would even different from the non DC version, or why they did not release the fixes.

@ASRock: please remember to provide the bios update for us as well, and kindly inform what are the exact fixes incorporated in each release.

lodger

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Posted: 11 Apr 2017 at 3:05am

then i TOTALLY solved setting these options on BIOS ("Advanced\CPU Configuration"):

- Intel SpeedStep Technology (ON)
- CPU C States Support (OFF)
- Enhanced Halt State (OFF)

Edited by lodger - 11 Apr 2017 at 3:06am

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Posted: 11 Apr 2017 at 2:52am

I can confirm I have same identical problem on N3150DC-ITX:

ubuntu 16.04 - fully up to date, freezes every few days.

It freezes also in BIOS.

I noticed there is a bios 1.8 update, but why it's only for N3150-ITX and not added also to N3150DC-ITX?

I tried to take the one from N3150-ITX, I've put it on a stick but instantflash doesn't find anything.

I also tried the over the internet update from bios, again does not find anything (note: it does find the stick with the files, as in the boot devices I can see it listed. It's FAT32, freshly formatted, etc..)

lodger

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Posted: 17 Feb 2017 at 6:30am

i have same problem with ArchLinux but sometimes it also freezes in As Rock BIOS menu!!!!!! then isn't a linux problem.

Edited by lodger - 17 Feb 2017 at 6:46am

Xaltar

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Posted: 22 Dec 2016 at 5:17pm

Thank you for the update and info, I will hold on to that link for anyone else experiencing these issues Thumbs Up

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Posted: 22 Dec 2016 at 4:57pm

After much searching I've found the issue is a linux kernal bug caused by cstate. It doesn't look like Intel are helping much on this given it effect a vast range of chips by them and they are a linux supporter.

Details here along with some manual work arounds which so far are working for me. It looks like kernal 4.8 or 4.9 might fix it but I've not tried them yet.

https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=109051

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Posted: 21 Dec 2016 at 5:08pm

Linux issues are complex which is a shame because these SoC boards make fantastic little linux servers. By and large the issues stem from the nature of the boards themselves, or more specifically the SoC. While they may be based on Desktop versions they are not exactly the same so what we end up with is standardized drivers (iGPU, IO, SATA etc) that sort of work but are not tailored to the SoCs.

The fault lies not with any board manufacturer but rather with Linux itself and intel (where it comes to providing source code for drivers to Linux devs).

To give an example, I can force install intel's standard desktop drivers for the iGPU on my N3150M, they will allow me to boot into windows, play a youtube vid etc but invariably I will encounter a BSOD at some point because it is not the correct driver, even though it uses the same technology it is not the same iGPU as found in desktop variants.

This is very likely what is causing the issues with Linux on Q1900 based systems. As linux drivers try to keep up with new tech it often introduces incompatibility or bugs with older hardware. Linux's intel driver implementation can only be as good as the code they have to work with.

Anyone looking for help with Linux would be better served posting on the boards for the Distro they are using, while yes, some issues can be hardware related, in most instances the issues stem from drivers in linux rather than defects or bugs with the UEFI/motherboard. If the system works well on one distro version but then fails on another the issue is clearly the distro not the hardware. ASRock does not officially support linux (no manufacturer does) and as such provides no drivers for the OS. This means the only real reason to post on the ASRock forums is in the hope that someone else with your particular hardware and issues found a solution and would be kind enough to share.

I myself have not kept up to speed with linux for many years now and can offer little to no help with linux related issues. While I always have at least one linux machine in my home I typically "set up and forget", it has been ages since I went digging around and fiddled with the innards of linux. If one distro doesn't work for me I switch to another or an older/newer release, if that fails I use a different system as my linux machine. What I do know however is that the linux support forums for the more major distros are very helpful and frequented by some very knowledgeable linux supporters, I seldom encounter issues I can't find solutions to on say the Ubuntu forums. Most often I don't even need to post, just search the forums for someone else who had the same issue.

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Posted: 21 Dec 2016 at 4:39pm

I've upgraded to 16.04 and have the same issue, the machine freeze daily now whereas on 14.x LTS it was rock solid for months.

I've followed the steps to disable Intel Speedstep, CPU C State, Halt state and updated to bios 1.70. Its generally will stay running for about 24 hours but they will freeze.

I've check various logs and can't find Ubuntu reporting any problems.

Does anyone have a solution or suggestion on how to resolve ?

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Pepe Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 Jul 2017 Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pepe Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Q1900-ITX with Ubuntu 16.04 Freezing Posted: 28 Jul 2017 at 4:31pm
	Hello, I have also this issue with my Q1900-ITX board. I'm currently running Debian 8 with kernel 4.9, but I will try to as lodger suggested and I will respond here. Anyway it is really shame that this issue is known since 2015.

mschwartz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 18 Apr 2017 Status: Offline Points: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote mschwartz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 6:15am
	I had similar issues with Ubuntu using I7 7700. The fix was to update the bios. The bios has the ability to download the uodate to USB flash drive, then flash the system from the flash drive. It seemed to be Ethernet network related. Downloading the bios update locked up, not even running Ubuntu at that point. The c-state trick and others did nothing. The bios flash turned my system into a rock solid workstation. ASRock DeskMini 110 with I7 7700, 32G RAM, Samsung 960 EVO NVME, 960GB SanDisk SSD. An active DisplayPort to HDMI gets me 4K @ 60Hz. I got a 40" UHD TV for $299, and it is fast and a delight to use at native resolution. I did some software development (multi minute) compiles on this and my other systems. This box is about 1.5x faster than my iMac 5K, maxed out. Even faster than my 4K 21" iMac and 2015 15" MacBook Pro. I installed Cinnamon 3 as my GUI. The system cost about $1250, including the TV. A fraction (less than half) of the cost of any of those mac machines. You can build a $400 system with I3 7100 that's a capable workstation. If you don't need the computing or disk space. I hope this helps someone out there.

2del Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2017 Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote 2del Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 2017 at 4:07pm
	Thanks for the reply @lodger. I saw that, I've configured in BIOS, and we'll see. The intriguing part is that the bios 1.8 should resolve some issues, and they did not release it for the DC version. I don't understand why bios would even different from the non DC version, or why they did not release the fixes. @ASRock: please remember to provide the bios update for us as well, and kindly inform what are the exact fixes incorporated in each release.

lodger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Feb 2017 Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote lodger Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 2017 at 3:05am
	then i TOTALLY solved setting these options on BIOS ("Advanced\CPU Configuration"): - Intel SpeedStep Technology (ON) - CPU C States Support (OFF) - Enhanced Halt State (OFF) Edited by lodger - 11 Apr 2017 at 3:06am

2del Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2017 Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote 2del Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 2017 at 2:52am
	I can confirm I have same identical problem on N3150DC-ITX: ubuntu 16.04 - fully up to date, freezes every few days. It freezes also in BIOS. I noticed there is a bios 1.8 update, but why it's only for N3150-ITX and not added also to N3150DC-ITX? I tried to take the one from N3150-ITX, I've put it on a stick but instantflash doesn't find anything. I also tried the over the internet update from bios, again does not find anything (note: it does find the stick with the files, as in the boot devices I can see it listed. It's FAT32, freshly formatted, etc..)

lodger Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 17 Feb 2017 Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote lodger Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 2017 at 6:30am
	i have same problem with ArchLinux but sometimes it also freezes in As Rock BIOS menu!!!!!! then isn't a linux problem. Edited by lodger - 17 Feb 2017 at 6:46am

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 27458	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Dec 2016 at 5:17pm
	Thank you for the update and info, I will hold on to that link for anyone else experiencing these issues


NX3 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Dec 2016 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote NX3 Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Dec 2016 at 4:57pm
	After much searching I've found the issue is a linux kernal bug caused by cstate. It doesn't look like Intel are helping much on this given it effect a vast range of chips by them and they are a linux supporter. Details here along with some manual work arounds which so far are working for me. It looks like kernal 4.8 or 4.9 might fix it but I've not tried them yet. https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=109051

Xaltar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 16 May 2015 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 27458	Post Options Post Reply Quote Xaltar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Dec 2016 at 5:08pm
	Linux issues are complex which is a shame because these SoC boards make fantastic little linux servers. By and large the issues stem from the nature of the boards themselves, or more specifically the SoC. While they may be based on Desktop versions they are not exactly the same so what we end up with is standardized drivers (iGPU, IO, SATA etc) that sort of work but are not tailored to the SoCs. The fault lies not with any board manufacturer but rather with Linux itself and intel (where it comes to providing source code for drivers to Linux devs). To give an example, I can force install intel's standard desktop drivers for the iGPU on my N3150M, they will allow me to boot into windows, play a youtube vid etc but invariably I will encounter a BSOD at some point because it is not the correct driver, even though it uses the same technology it is not the same iGPU as found in desktop variants. This is very likely what is causing the issues with Linux on Q1900 based systems. As linux drivers try to keep up with new tech it often introduces incompatibility or bugs with older hardware. Linux's intel driver implementation can only be as good as the code they have to work with. Anyone looking for help with Linux would be better served posting on the boards for the Distro they are using, while yes, some issues can be hardware related, in most instances the issues stem from drivers in linux rather than defects or bugs with the UEFI/motherboard. If the system works well on one distro version but then fails on another the issue is clearly the distro not the hardware. ASRock does not officially support linux (no manufacturer does) and as such provides no drivers for the OS. This means the only real reason to post on the ASRock forums is in the hope that someone else with your particular hardware and issues found a solution and would be kind enough to share. I myself have not kept up to speed with linux for many years now and can offer little to no help with linux related issues. While I always have at least one linux machine in my home I typically "set up and forget", it has been ages since I went digging around and fiddled with the innards of linux. If one distro doesn't work for me I switch to another or an older/newer release, if that fails I use a different system as my linux machine. What I do know however is that the linux support forums for the more major distros are very helpful and frequented by some very knowledgeable linux supporters, I seldom encounter issues I can't find solutions to on say the Ubuntu forums. Most often I don't even need to post, just search the forums for someone else who had the same issue.


NX3 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Dec 2016 Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote NX3 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 21 Dec 2016 at 4:39pm
	I've upgraded to 16.04 and have the same issue, the machine freeze daily now whereas on 14.x LTS it was rock solid for months. I've followed the steps to disable Intel Speedstep, CPU C State, Halt state and updated to bios 1.70. Its generally will stay running for about 24 hours but they will freeze. I've check various logs and can't find Ubuntu reporting any problems. Does anyone have a solution or suggestion on how to resolve ?