[syslinux] PXE boot error on a thin client

[Gene Cumm]

On Tue, Dec 16, 2014 at 4:22 PM, Geert Stappers <stappers at stappers.nl> wrote:
> On Tue, Dec 16, 2014 at 08:17:32PM +0100, Willem Bargeman wrote:
>> >> Hi,
>> >>
>> >> We have some problems while network booting thin clients. The type is T5540.
>> >>
>> >> At this moment we are using pxe linux 6.03.
>> >>
>> >> The systems are booting correctly with pxe linux version 6.03-pre14.
>> >> We have seen the same error with version 6.03-pre9.
>> >>
>> >> The error message:
>> >>
>> >> Failed to load ldlinux.c32
>> >> Boot failed: press a key to retry, or wait for reset...
>> >>
>> >> Any idea?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> > _ When you update the version of pxelinux.0, are you also updating the
>> > version of ldlinux.c32?
>>
>> Yes, I've updated both files.
>
>> > _ The version of all the c32 files in use shall match the version of
>> > the boot loader.
>>
>> Yes, I've copied all the files which we are using. The version of all
>> the files is the same.
>
>> > _ When you mention the error message, "Failed to load...", is always
>> > the same file being mentioned? Or are you seeing instead other files
>> > mentioned in the message in same cases?
>>
>> It's always the same file in the error message.
>
>> > _ Have you tested with the official upstream pre-compiled binaries from
>> > version 6.03 final downloaded from kernel.org (as oppose to using your
>> > own compiled binaries, or some package from some distro)?
>>
>> Yes, I've used the official binaries. Not some own compiled binaries.
>
>> > _ Are the same binaries working correctly in some other hardware while
>> > failing in specific models only?
>>
>> At this moment we have issues with one specific hardware model. It's a
>> HP T5540 Thin client. We have many other hardware that is working
>> great with this version.
>>
>> Version 6.03-pre9 > not working
>> Version 6.03-pre14 > working
>> Version 6.03 final > not working
>
>
>> > There are additional potential issues / questions, but let's start with
>> > those basic ones.
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Ady.
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> The answers again and now in 'normal' order.
>
> Thank you.  Please use next time "quote characters"
>
>
> So now a summary:
> * Error only with  one specific hardware model, a HP T5540 Thin client.
> * Version 6.03-pre9 > not working
> * Version 6.03-pre14 > working
> * Version 6.03 final > not working
> * Error message is
>      Failed to load ldlinux.c32
>      Boot failed: press a key to retry, or wait for reset...
>
>
> What is in the logging of the (TFTP) server?
> Do you see the request for 'ldlinux.c32'?

Though a seemingly unusual version set, this sounds a lot like some of
the deaf clients I've seen on lpxelinux.0 (which I haven't seen with
pxelinux.0).  Are you using lpxelinux.0 or pxelinux.0 (regardless of
how you may have renamed it)?  lpxelinux.0 will show "lwIP" in the
banner while pxelinux.0 will show "PXE", indicating what network stack
is compiled into the binary.

Did you try any of the prebuilt versions between 6.03-pre9 and
6.03-pre14 or 6.03-pre14 and 6.03 to narrow down within which pair of
prereleases it starts working then stops working?  The deaf clients
would send the request, the tftpd sends the reply but the client acts
as if it was never received.

-- 
-Gene