[CentOS] CentOS 6.0: panic installing i386 on old Acer Desktop

Sun Oct 16 18:28:06 UTC 2011
William L. Maltby <CentOS4Bill at triad.rr.com>

Well, after much trial and tribulation I got to the point I could nfs
mount the CentOS 6.0 i386 iso image and try an install.

So I stuck in the net install CD (latest from CentOS), mounted the nfs
iso image and gave it several shots.

It goes swimmingly until I click "write disks".

Then there's a kernel panic. This with both the graphic and text mode
installs.

As mentioned, I've not yet researched/figured how I might capture this
from my KVM. I've got some 5.x and 6.0 (with cr updates) and windows
units available on my homegroannetwork LAN if there's a way to do it
over a network.

I've got some old serial cables (and various null modem ones and/or
adapters) and Wyse-60 terminals but I don't even know yet if I can boot
this with output to a serial port.

I'll be checking that.

If someone has figured out how to capture the output in my situation
during initial system install, I'm all "ears".

The system still boots the old CentOS 4.8 (first boots in around a ...
year(?)) and I did dmidecode and a couple other short commnds that I
hope is enough for someone to offer further direction or suggestions.

Apologies for the size but it's been so long since I did any low-level
stuff I was afraid I'd snip something important.

I tried, based on *old* memories, adding kernel arguments of noapic and
nolapic (IIRC). Still no joy.

TIA for any thoughts,
Bill

Dmidecode output:
# dmidecode 2.9
SMBIOS 2.3 present.
39 structures occupying 1094 bytes.
Table at 0x000F0800.

Handle 0x0000, DMI type 0, 20 bytes
BIOS Information
	Vendor: Phoenix/Award Technologies, LTD
	Version: 6.00 PG
	Release Date: 11/04/2004
	Address: 0xE0000
	Runtime Size: 128 kB
	ROM Size: 256 kB
	Characteristics:
		ISA is supported
		PCI is supported
		PNP is supported
		APM is supported
		BIOS is upgradeable
		BIOS shadowing is allowed
		ESCD support is available
		Boot from CD is supported
		Selectable boot is supported
		BIOS ROM is socketed
		EDD is supported
		5.25"/360 KB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
		5.25"/1.2 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
		3.5"/720 KB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
		3.5"/2.88 MB floppy services are supported (int 13h)
		Print screen service is supported (int 5h)
		8042 keyboard services are supported (int 9h)
		Serial services are supported (int 14h)
		Printer services are supported (int 17h)
		CGA/mono video services are supported (int 10h)
		ACPI is supported
		USB legacy is supported
		AGP is supported
		LS-120 boot is supported
		ATAPI Zip drive boot is supported

Handle 0x0001, DMI type 1, 25 bytes
System Information
	Manufacturer: VIA Technologies, Inc.
	Product Name: KT400-8235
	Version:  
	Serial Number: 12
	UUID: 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001
	Wake-up Type: Power Switch

Handle 0x0002, DMI type 2, 8 bytes
Base Board Information
	Manufacturer: AOpen
	Product Name: AK77-8XN
	Version: 918A710301
	Serial Number: I0500031JE13

Handle 0x0003, DMI type 3, 17 bytes
Chassis Information
	Manufacturer:  
	Type: Desktop
	Lock: Not Present
	Version:  
	Serial Number:  
	Asset Tag:  
	Boot-up State: Safe
	Power Supply State: Safe
	Thermal State: Safe
	Security Status: None
	OEM Information: 0x00000000

Handle 0x0004, DMI type 4, 35 bytes
Processor Information
	Socket Designation: Socket A
	Type: Central Processor
	Family: Duron
	Manufacturer: AMD
	ID: 81 06 00 00 FF F9 83 03
	Signature: Family 6, Model 8, Stepping 1
	Flags:
		FPU (Floating-point unit on-chip)
		VME (Virtual mode extension)
		DE (Debugging extension)
		PSE (Page size extension)
		TSC (Time stamp counter)
		MSR (Model specific registers)
		PAE (Physical address extension)
		MCE (Machine check exception)
		CX8 (CMPXCHG8 instruction supported)
		SEP (Fast system call)
		MTRR (Memory type range registers)
		PGE (Page global enable)
		MCA (Machine check architecture)
		CMOV (Conditional move instruction supported)
		PAT (Page attribute table)
		PSE-36 (36-bit page size extension)
		MMX (MMX technology supported)
		FXSR (Fast floating-point save and restore)
		SSE (Streaming SIMD extensions)
	Version: AMD Athlon(tm) XP
	Voltage: 1.6 V
	External Clock: 133 MHz
	Max Speed: 1500 MHz
	Current Speed: 1800 MHz
	Status: Populated, Enabled
	Upgrade: ZIF Socket
	L1 Cache Handle: 0x0009
	L2 Cache Handle: 0x000A
	L3 Cache Handle: Not Provided
	Serial Number:  
	Asset Tag:  
	Part Number:  

Handle 0x0005, DMI type 5, 22 bytes
Memory Controller Information
	Error Detecting Method: 8-bit Parity
	Error Correcting Capabilities:
		None
	Supported Interleave: One-way Interleave
	Current Interleave: Four-way Interleave
	Maximum Memory Module Size: 32 MB
	Maximum Total Memory Size: 96 MB
	Supported Speeds:
		70 ns
		60 ns
	Supported Memory Types:
		Standard
		EDO
	Memory Module Voltage: 5.0 V
	Associated Memory Slots: 3
		0x0006
		0x0007
		0x0308
	Enabled Error Correcting Capabilities: None

Handle 0x0006, DMI type 6, 12 bytes
Memory Module Information
	Socket Designation: A0
	Bank Connections: 0 1
	Current Speed: 60 ns
	Type: DIMM SDRAM
	Installed Size: 1024 MB (Double-bank Connection)
	Enabled Size: 1024 MB (Double-bank Connection)
	Error Status: OK

Handle 0x0007, DMI type 6, 12 bytes
Memory Module Information
	Socket Designation: A2
	Bank Connections: None
	Current Speed: 60 ns
	Type: Unknown
	Installed Size: Not Installed
	Enabled Size: Not Installed
	Error Status: OK

Handle 0x0008, DMI type 6, 12 bytes
Memory Module Information
	Socket Designation: A4
	Bank Connections: 4 5
	Current Speed: 60 ns
	Type: DIMM SDRAM
	Installed Size: 1024 MB (Double-bank Connection)
	Enabled Size: 1024 MB (Double-bank Connection)
	Error Status: OK

Handle 0x0009, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
	Socket Designation: Internal Cache
	Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 1
	Operational Mode: Write Back
	Location: Internal
	Installed Size: 128 KB
	Maximum Size: 128 KB
	Supported SRAM Types:
		Synchronous
	Installed SRAM Type: Synchronous
	Speed: Unknown
	Error Correction Type: Unknown
	System Type: Unknown
	Associativity: Unknown

Handle 0x000A, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
	Socket Designation: External Cache
	Configuration: Enabled, Not Socketed, Level 2
	Operational Mode: Write Back
	Location: External
	Installed Size: 256 KB
	Maximum Size: 256 KB
	Supported SRAM Types:
		Synchronous
	Installed SRAM Type: Synchronous
	Speed: Unknown
	Error Correction Type: Unknown
	System Type: Unknown
	Associativity: Unknown

Handle 0x000B, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
	Internal Reference Designator: PRIMARY IDE
	Internal Connector Type: On Board IDE
	External Reference Designator: Not Specified
	External Connector Type: None
	Port Type: Other

Handle 0x000C, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
	Internal Reference Designator: SECONDARY IDE
	Internal Connector Type: On Board IDE
	External Reference Designator: Not Specified
	External Connector Type: None
	Port Type: Other

Handle 0x000D, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
	Internal Reference Designator: FDD
	Internal Connector Type: On Board Floppy
	External Reference Designator: Not Specified
	External Connector Type: None
	Port Type: Other

Handle 0x000E, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
	Internal Reference Designator: COM1
	Internal Connector Type: 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
	External Reference Designator:  
	External Connector Type: DB-9 male
	Port Type: Serial Port 16450 Compatible

Handle 0x000F, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
	Internal Reference Designator: COM2
	Internal Connector Type: 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
	External Reference Designator:  
	External Connector Type: DB-9 male
	Port Type: Serial Port 16450 Compatible

Handle 0x0010, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
	Internal Reference Designator: LPT1
	Internal Connector Type: DB-25 female
	External Reference Designator:  
	External Connector Type: DB-25 female
	Port Type: Parallel Port ECP/EPP

Handle 0x0011, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
	Internal Reference Designator: Keyboard
	Internal Connector Type: PS/2
	External Reference Designator:  
	External Connector Type: PS/2
	Port Type: Keyboard Port

Handle 0x0012, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
	Internal Reference Designator: PS/2 Mouse
	Internal Connector Type: PS/2
	External Reference Designator:  
	External Connector Type: PS/2
	Port Type: Mouse Port

Handle 0x0013, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
	Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
	Internal Connector Type: None
	External Reference Designator: USB0
	External Connector Type: Other
	Port Type: USB

Handle 0x0014, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
	Internal Reference Designator: Not Specified
	Internal Connector Type: None
	External Reference Designator: AUDIO
	External Connector Type: None
	Port Type: Audio Port

Handle 0x0015, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
	Designation: PCI0
	Type: 32-bit PCI
	Current Usage: Available
	Length: Long
	ID: 1
	Characteristics:
		5.0 V is provided
		Modem ring resume is supported
		PME signal is supported

Handle 0x0016, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
	Designation: PCI1
	Type: 32-bit PCI
	Current Usage: Available
	Length: Long
	ID: 2
	Characteristics:
		5.0 V is provided
		Modem ring resume is supported
		PME signal is supported

Handle 0x0017, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
	Designation: PCI2
	Type: 32-bit PCI
	Current Usage: Available
	Length: Long
	ID: 3
	Characteristics:
		5.0 V is provided
		Modem ring resume is supported
		PME signal is supported

Handle 0x0018, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
	Designation: PCI3
	Type: 32-bit PCI
	Current Usage: Available
	Length: Long
	ID: 4
	Characteristics:
		5.0 V is provided
		Modem ring resume is supported
		PME signal is supported

Handle 0x0019, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
	Designation: PCI4
	Type: 32-bit PCI
	Current Usage: Available
	Length: Long
	ID: 5
	Characteristics:
		5.0 V is provided
		Modem ring resume is supported
		PME signal is supported

Handle 0x001A, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
	Designation: PCI5
	Type: 32-bit PCI
	Current Usage: Available
	Length: Long
	ID: 6
	Characteristics:
		5.0 V is provided
		Modem ring resume is supported
		PME signal is supported

Handle 0x001B, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
	Designation: AGP
	Type: 32-bit AGP
	Current Usage: In Use
	Length: Long
	ID: 0
	Characteristics:
		3.3 V is provided

Handle 0x001C, DMI type 13, 22 bytes
BIOS Language Information
	Installable Languages: 2
		en|US|iso8859-1
		de|DE|iso8859-1
	Currently Installed Language: en|US|iso8859-1

Handle 0x001D, DMI type 16, 15 bytes
Physical Memory Array
	Location: System Board Or Motherboard
	Use: System Memory
	Error Correction Type: None
	Maximum Capacity: 768 MB
	Error Information Handle: Not Provided
	Number Of Devices: 3

Handle 0x001E, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
	Array Handle: 0x001D
	Error Information Handle: Not Provided
	Total Width: Unknown
	Data Width: Unknown
	Size: 1024 MB
	Form Factor: DIMM
	Set: None
	Locator: A0
	Bank Locator: Bank0/1
	Type: Unknown
	Type Detail: None
	Speed: Unknown
	Manufacturer: None
	Serial Number: None
	Asset Tag: None
	Part Number: None

Handle 0x001F, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
	Array Handle: 0x001D
	Error Information Handle: Not Provided
	Total Width: Unknown
	Data Width: Unknown
	Size: No Module Installed
	Form Factor: DIMM
	Set: None
	Locator: A2
	Bank Locator: Bank2/3
	Type: Unknown
	Type Detail: None
	Speed: Unknown
	Manufacturer: None
	Serial Number: None
	Asset Tag: None
	Part Number: None

Handle 0x0020, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
	Array Handle: 0x001D
	Error Information Handle: Not Provided
	Total Width: Unknown
	Data Width: Unknown
	Size: 1024 MB
	Form Factor: DIMM
	Set: None
	Locator: A4
	Bank Locator: Bank4/5
	Type: Unknown
	Type Detail: None
	Speed: Unknown
	Manufacturer: None
	Serial Number: None
	Asset Tag: None
	Part Number: None

Handle 0x0021, DMI type 19, 15 bytes
Memory Array Mapped Address
	Starting Address: 0x00000000000
	Ending Address: 0x0007FFFFFFF
	Range Size: 2 GB
	Physical Array Handle: 0x001D
	Partition Width: 0

Handle 0x0022, DMI type 20, 19 bytes
Memory Device Mapped Address
	Starting Address: 0x00000000000
	Ending Address: 0x0003FFFFFFF
	Range Size: 1 GB
	Physical Device Handle: 0x001E
	Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x0021
	Partition Row Position: 1

Handle 0x0023, DMI type 20, 19 bytes
Memory Device Mapped Address
	Starting Address: 0x00000000000
	Ending Address: 0x000000003FF
	Range Size: 1 kB
	Physical Device Handle: 0x001F
	Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x0021
	Partition Row Position: 1

Handle 0x0024, DMI type 20, 19 bytes
Memory Device Mapped Address
	Starting Address: 0x00040000000
	Ending Address: 0x0007FFFFFFF
	Range Size: 1 GB
	Physical Device Handle: 0x0020
	Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x0021
	Partition Row Position: 1

Handle 0x0025, DMI type 32, 11 bytes
System Boot Information
	Status: No errors detected

Handle 0x0026, DMI type 127, 4 bytes
End Of Table

Uname out from the current system on that unit - running just fine.

Linux centos01.homegroannetwork 2.6.9-89.0.16.EL #1 Tue Nov 3 17:15:02
EST 2009 i686 athlon i386 GNU/Linux

>From lsb_release:

LSB
Version:	:core-3.0-ia32:core-3.0-noarch:graphics-3.0-ia32:graphics-3.0-noarch
Distributor ID:	CentOS
Description:	CentOS release 4.8 (Final)
Release:	4.8
Codename:	Final