Kernel panics on Skype video calls

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#1

I am running openSUSE 12.2 x86_64 KDE edition. Kernel information:


rahul@localhost:~> uname -a
Linux acb70333.ipt.aol.com 3.4.6-2.10-desktop #1 SMP PREEMPT Thu Jul 26 09:36:26 UTC 2012 (641c197) x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Whenever I make Skype video calls, kernel panics after a couple of minutes and I have to reboot the system. Is this a known issue? If yes, what is the solution?

Thanks.

#2

After searching around on this, there seems to be three possible fixes.

  1. Just reinstall openSUSE after a backup of your Data or doing a custom partition where you format the root / partition but only mount your /home and not formatting it. Then reinstall all applications.
  2. Its possible your PC is over heating. You don’t say much about it or its age, but perhaps it is time to blow out all of the dust for any PC over one year old. Laptop’s can have this problem if never cleaned out.
  3. Maybe you need a newer kernel. Kernel 3.6 has been released you can install if you like:

Latest Kernel Source File: linux-3.6.tar.bz2

Kernel Compiler Script: S.A.K.C. - SUSE Automated Kernel Compiler - Version 2.78 - Blogs - openSUSE Forums

Just a few possible solutions for you to consider.

Thank You,

#3

Thank you for your response!

Reinstalling OS is not an option. There are loads of applications I have installed and need to use. :frowning:

My PC is over six years old. The monitor and DVD writer were replaced a little over a year ago, and the webcam is also about the same age. Rest all is old. If by blowing out the dust, you meant the cleaning of hardware, then I do that every couple of months. :slight_smile:

I installed the newer kernel as you suggested. That seems to have succeeded.

Sadly there is no one online on Skype to test if this solved the problem. I will post an update on this thread when I make my next Skype video call. :slight_smile:

#4

I tried a video call and it appears the problem has gone away. Thanks again. Much appreciated. :slight_smile:

#5

I am happy to hear that a newer kernel did help. If we only knew why for sure. Perhaps its better at handling multimedia or perhaps it is just more efficient and thus not over heating your CPU. But good news is good to hear. Let us know if we can help you in any other way.

Thank You,

#6

Hi,
I got the same problem but no way to change the kernel! (no able to do so).

#7

When unable change the kernel version, is this because you do not have user rights to do so (you are not a system administrator for your PC) or because you do not understand how to do so?

Thank You,

#8

Hi,
I just don’t know how to do so and scared to break the system!

#9

Well I have a bash script that will not break your system. It just adds one more kernel to select from on restart of your PC. It does not remove any of your other existing kernels. Here are some other facts, the openSUSE grub 2 menu, will make the most recent kernel in your system the default. If for any reason you wish to downgrade, I have a bash script that can remove the kernel you installed and restore you to previous self. You do need to install the kernel source files and a few other things, as outlined in my blog on the subject. I suggest you read through them and then ask any questions you might have. You can download the latest kernel from here: The Linux Kernel Archives and even though the latest kernel version is 3.6.1, I am using kernel 3.5.6 which is working very well for me. My blog on how to compile and load a kernel can be found here: S.A.K.C. - SUSE Automated Kernel Compiler - Version 2.78 - Blogs - openSUSE Forums and to remove a kernel installed by SAKC, look here: S.A.K.R. - SUSE Automated Kernel Remover - Version 1.0.2 - Blogs - openSUSE Forums and I have many more bash scripts, many of which you can find here: openSUSE 12.2 Bash Script Download Bonanza! with Bash Script Loader - Blogs - openSUSE Forums

Thank You,