[Bug 1103187] Re: xfs left inconcistent after reboot, causing grub to fail

[Péter Prőhle]

http://oss.sgi.com/archives/xfs/2012-12/msg00324.html        looks promising: "There is a logic inversion in xfssyncd_worker() which means that the log is not periodically forced or idled correctly. This means that metadata changes aggregated in memory do not get flushed in a timely manner, and hence if filesystem is not cleanly unmounted those changes can be lost. This loss can manifest itself even hours after the changes were made if the filesystem is left to idle without a sync() occurring between the last modification and the crash/shutdown occuring."

The kernel fix is only a negation of a condition in xfssyncd_worker() in
fs/xfs/xfs_sync.c :

-       if (!(mp->m_super->s_flags & MS_ACTIVE) &&

+       if ((mp->m_super->s_flags & MS_ACTIVE) &&

Dave Chinner (19 Dec 2012): "If people agree the fix is correct, I'll
post it to the -stable list for inclusion..."

(1) I am ready to make experiment with the new fixed kernel.  I compiled
kernels in mid 90's, but I slowly gave up this habit at around
1988...2002.  I think, it is worthwhile to check whether this fix solves
the XFS/grub-install/reboot problem.

(2) How I will notice (or be noticed), when this patch arrives among the
Ubuntu updates?

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu
Foundations Bugs, which is subscribed to grub2 in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1103187

Title:
  xfs left inconcistent after reboot, causing grub to fail

Status in “grub2” package in Ubuntu:
  Invalid
Status in “linux” package in Ubuntu:
  Confirmed

Bug description:
  take a 12.10 with XFS root partition containing the /boot/ tree
  dpkg-reconfigure grub-pc ; sync
  reboot (either by command, or by menu)
  diverse error messages + grub rescue + /boot/ is partially accessible

  boot UBUNTU 12.10 pendrive + choose "try Ubuntu" + open a terminal
  sudo -s; mkdir foo; mount [the XFS root partition] foo; umount foo
  reboot into the "original" Ubuntu is NOW successful

  It appears that the kernel xfs filesystem driver leaves the fs in an inconsistent state even after a sync.  That is corrected by a journal playback done either via having the kernel mount or running fsck, but grub does not use the xfs journal.
  --- 
  ApportVersion: 2.6.1-0ubuntu10
  Architecture: amd64
  AudioDevicesInUse:
   USER        PID ACCESS COMMAND
   /dev/snd/controlC1:  prohlep    1969 F.... pulseaudio
   /dev/snd/controlC0:  prohlep    1969 F.... pulseaudio
   /dev/snd/seq:        timidity   1533 F.... timidity
  CRDA: Error: command ['iw', 'reg', 'get'] failed with exit code 1: nl80211 not found.
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2012-10-19 (98 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release amd64 (20121017.5)
  IwConfig:
   eth0      no wireless extensions.
   
   lo        no wireless extensions.
  MachineType: System manufacturer System Product Name
  MarkForUpload: True
  Package: linux 3.5.0.23.29
  PackageArchitecture: amd64
  ProcEnviron:
   TERM=xterm
   PATH=(custom, no user)
   LANG=en_US.UTF-8
   SHELL=/bin/bash
  ProcFB: 0 radeondrmfb
  ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-23-generic root=UUID=39082c0a-8360-4ade-8f2e-f557a8a65035 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-23.35-generic 3.5.7.2
  PulseList:
   Error: command ['pacmd', 'list'] failed with exit code 1: Home directory /home/prohlep not ours.
   No PulseAudio daemon running, or not running as session daemon.
  RelatedPackageVersions:
   linux-restricted-modules-3.5.0-23-generic N/A
   linux-backports-modules-3.5.0-23-generic  N/A
   linux-firmware                            1.95
  RfKill:
   
  Tags:  quantal package-from-proposed
  Uname: Linux 3.5.0-23-generic x86_64
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
  UserGroups:
   
  dmi.bios.date: 07/18/2011
  dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
  dmi.bios.version: 2301
  dmi.board.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
  dmi.board.name: M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3
  dmi.board.vendor: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
  dmi.board.version: Rev 1.xx
  dmi.chassis.asset.tag: Asset-1234567890
  dmi.chassis.type: 3
  dmi.chassis.vendor: Chassis Manufacture
  dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
  dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvr2301:bd07/18/2011:svnSystemmanufacturer:pnSystemProductName:pvrSystemVersion:rvnASUSTeKComputerINC.:rnM4A89GTD-PRO/USB3:rvrRev1.xx:cvnChassisManufacture:ct3:cvrChassisVersion:
  dmi.product.name: System Product Name
  dmi.product.version: System Version
  dmi.sys.vendor: System manufacturer

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/grub2/+bug/1103187/+subscriptions