[PATCH] ppc64: Detect altivec via firmware on unknown CPUs

Benjamin Herrenschmidt benh at kernel.crashing.org
Fri Jul 29 22:12:29 EST 2005


On Thu, 2005-07-28 at 10:51 -0400, Michal Ostrowski wrote:
> Following the application of this patch, if somebody (e.g. me) tries to boot
> a kernel without CONFIG_ALTIVEC using a root filesystem (and a glibc)
> that does use altivec, the boot just seems to hang with no errors or
> explanation.   Is there some sane way to report this?

What happen without this patch ? Without CONFIG_ALTIVEC, you get
SIGILL's on Altivec instructions. It shouldn't hang ... hrm ... Unless
we fubar'ed something like adding the altivec feature bit when
CONFIG_ALTIVEC is not set :) I'll have to check. Thanks

P.S. Could you fill it in osdl bugzilla and assign to me ?

Ben.




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