bug#55006: First time boot hangs after "watchdog hardware is disabled"

[raingloom <raingloom@riseup.net>]

On Tue, 19 Apr 2022 09:40:20 -0700
crodges <crodges@csphy.pw> wrote:

> On Tuesday, April 19, 2022 1:50:47 A.M. PDT pelzflorian (Florian
> Pelz) wrote:
> > On Mon, Apr 18, 2022 at 10:32:53AM -0700, crodges wrote:  
> > > Hello,
> > > 
> > > I'm installing guix in a recent desktop that I build (little more
> > > than a year). After being suggested to use latest iso on cuirass,
> > > I was able to install guix. The boot then hanged looking for
> > > iwlwifi firmware; someone in
> > > the help list suggested me to edit boot options and blacklist
> > > iwlwifi, then
> > > reconfigure guix once in.
> > > 
> > > I did that and now booting process hangs in a new place, "Watchdog
> > > hardware is disabled". I include an image of the point.
> > > 
> > > Thanks,
> > > 
> > > crodges  
> > 
> > Could you try to edit the boot options also to
> > 
> > - remove the `quiet`
> > 
> > - possibly you may need to add `nomodeset`.
> > 
> > What GPU is in this machine?  On your Manjaro system, lspci or GNOME
> > Settings for example would show.
> > 
> > There are problems at least with some AMD GPUs, but this may not be
> > the issue.
> > 
> > (If it AMD turns out to be the issue, Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli
> > suggested to partially fix them
> > <https://issues.guix.gnu.org/36786#9>, while I suggested to work
> > around them <https://issues.guix.gnu.org/48343>. Manjaro would not
> > have these issues because it uses a nonfree linux package.  But
> > your bug may be something completely different.)
> > 
> > Regards,
> > Florian  
> Florian, 
> 
> Removing quiet and adding nomodeset, I was able to boot for the first
> time! low resolution, but I was able to edit config.scm to add 
> 
> (kernel-arguments
>  '(; https://issues.guix.gnu.org/53712#12
>    "modprobe.blacklist=pcspkr,snd_pcsp,iwlwifi"))
> 
> as referenced in https://issues.guix.gnu.org/53712#13
> 
> then did guix pull and sudo guix system reconfigure /etc/config.scm
> 
> Noticed that the kernel was updated to linux-libre 5.16.20. Tried to
> reboot without editing arguments in the kernel. I got to another
> freeze, and clearly it seems to be the amd gpu, as in the new
> attached image. Is it possible, considering that this gpu has free
> software drivers?  
> 
> The GPU is a Radeon RX 6800 XT, which manjaro lists as using open
> source drivers.
> 
> 

The funny thing is that AMDGPU is not really entirely free software,
only the kernel component is, but the firmwares are not. Guix doesn't
actually package AMDGPU as far as I know, you have to use The Forbidden
Channel if you have an AMD card and want to actually use it. But also
yes, it's super buggy for me as well, sometimes it freezes, sometimes
it just glitches out.

Also IMHO this further proves my point that we need a "safe graphics
mode" boot option, see issue 54945.