Linux Kernel Issue with
Systems Using AGP Graphics
Application Note
Description
Some older Linux kernels have a conflicting cache attribute bug that is exposed by advanced
speculative caching in newer AMD Athlon鈩?and AMD Duron鈩?family processors including
AMD Athlon XP, AMD Athlon 4, AMD Athlon MP processors, and AMD Duron processors model 6
and above. This kernel bug usually shows up under heavy use of accelerated 3D graphics with an
AGP Graphics card. The symptom of this bug is a system hang on the display of AGP graphics.
Only those Linux systems that use AGP graphics cards are potentially affected by this bug. Systems
not using AGP graphics cards are unaffected by this issue.
Solution
A permanent fix for the Linux kernel is planned. Until the permanent fix is available, Linux kernel
2.4.19 incorporates a bug-fix that effectively eliminates this problem. The fix is also available from
individual vendors at each of the following Linux distribution Web sites:
鈥?Red Hat Linux < http://www.redhat.com/ >
鈥?SuSE Linux < http://www.suse.com/ >
鈥?Caldera OpenLinux < http://www.caldera.com/ >
鈥?Turbolinux < http://www.turbolinux.com/ >
鈥?Mandrake Linux < http://www.mandrakesoft.com/ >
Publication #
Issue Date:
26698
August 2002
Revision:
3.00
1
2
