[Klug-general] Hardware problem with Toshiba laptop

[Mike Evans]

I've had my Toshiba A30 for some years now.  I keep it partitioned with 
two root partitions and a /home.  This allows me to run my current 
working Linux installation, plus have somewhere to install another one 
either for play or as part of my upgrade process.

I successfully ran Fedora Core 2, 4 and 6 on it, and have had Ubuntu 
7.10 (Gutsy) on it since about the time that was released.

When I came to install Fedora 8 I ran into trouble as it just seemed to 
stop randomly and I gave up.  I tried again with F10 and it had the same 
problem.  By chance I discovered that if I press keys on the keyboard it 
kicks it off again.  I concluded that it is something to do with it 
being stuck waiting on an interrupt of some sort.  If I keep pressing 
the Alt key I could get through the boot and installation process. 
However the resulting installed system has the same problem.  I 
concluded that the issue is therefore in the kernel.  Fedora has been 
known to have other kernel patches with odd effects so I just stuck with 
Ubuntu 7.10.  It might be out of date but it works.

So I've had Ubuntu 9.04 cut to a CD since it was released and I thought 
I would try that today - and maybe get with the modern world.  Guess 
what?  Ubuntu now has the same problem Fedora has.  The boot from the CD 
'sticks' waiting on something, and if I press the Alt key (and probably 
any other key) it continues.

I wonder if there is a BIOS setting that could be affecting this?  Does 
it ring any bells with anyone?  I'll probably have it with me at the 
meeting on the 25th if anyone has suggestions.

All I know for sure is that I have a not-so-old machine, which used to 
work with older versions of Linux, but doesn't work with newer ones. 
That's a pattern that used to be familiar with another popular operating 
system.  Ahem.

Mike