Failure installing Linux mint or Ubuntu on HP all in one. Comes up Kernel panic-not syncing
 

I cannot install Linux on my hp all in one. The last line that comes up when it fails is Kernel panic-not syncing: attempted to kill init! Exit code=0x0000000b

Hi BruceOwen,

Welcome to LQ!

Unfortunately, that error is like a catchall for practically everything. Is this happening after it is installed, or when booting off the installation media. What is the exact model of your PC?

The type of PC is a HP all in one 200-5000. Exact model is 200-5020. It does the automatic countdown from the CD, looks like it's going to work and after a while it fails. I've even tried to boot from thumb drive but had the same results.

How long a "while"? Have you tried any of the non-default installation options, such as failsafe or text mode? What OS is or was installed before trying to install Linux? Have you tried using the installation media to run memtest? Did you verify the downloaded .iso was good with md5sum or shasum prior to burning? Has it ever been opened up to check on possibly having a bad fan or dust accumulation that might cause CPU overheating? Does booting into BIOS setup show temperatures within reason?

Googling support.hp.com tells me the 200-5020 has a Wolfdale Intel CPU with GMA X4500 video, which for me has never been a problem I can recall installing Debian, Fedora, Kubuntu or openSUSE.

I do remember having one of those apart for repair 2-3 years ago, but not any more the details. :p

I haven't tried either of those modes, I'm really new to Linux, my experience is installing Mint on 3 machines so far, including my office machine to see how well it works at work. And doing those installs were totally no-brainers! They went well with no hitches.

It was Windows 7 professional that was on this machine. It was a fully working machine when I brought it home. But, I'll do what you recommended, I'll perform a memtest just to make sure noting happened by coincidence.

I didn't verify the download,

I'll try another distribution just for the fun of it.

thanks,

It might be a missing driver in the initrd on the CD. That's a tough one. Try the Knoppix DVD. It's about the most compatible.

OK, I tried Kubuntu, same thing, except this time no countdown to startup. It starts doing it's thing, no special startup menu or anything, then ends with message

[ 0.068108] --- [end kernel panic - not syncing: Attempted to kill init! exit code=0x0000000b
[ 0.068108]

That's it, stops dead in the water.

OK, I'll give Knoppix a shot, let you know how it goes in a bit, or a while, Lol! Big file for being on rural internet. Downloading now.

KNOPPIX wouldn't start, doing a memtest right now

OK, it sounds like you might have a hardware incompatibility with current kernels. That's a real tough one. You'd have to hack the initrd on the cd on a different Linux installation.

Finally got the computer to boot KNOPPIX! There was an option after you press F2 for boot problems, I entered the boot option at the bottom of the screen if you're having Hardware issues, I did that and it worked, and worked well!! Now just to figure out what the deal is why the other distro's crashed. Thanks AwesomeMachine for the KNOPPIX idea!

Do the above with Knoppix and write it down. Then try the installation media you wanted to install from using their equivalent options, appending if needed the Knoppix failsafe extras that they don't include, one at a time. Likely you can come up with a combination that will get Mint or Ubuntu to not panic. Like Mint and Ubuntu, Knoppix is Debian-based.

Thanks MrMazda, I'll do what you suggested. What worked for me is as follows, : boot-knopkix acpi=off nolapic

Hi there

I had same issue but with a HP Z400. Soon as I updated the bios from 3.20 to 3.60 (Windows bios) it loaded Ubuntu fine and is now installing like a charm.

Hope this helps.

T.

I had the same issue, when I updated the bios from 3.20 to 3.61, it works fine with me

you can get the bios from here:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers...tation/3718668

follow the readme file.