[mythtv-users] bttv, anything locks backend -> zombie on attempted restart of backend

[Sune Mølgaard]

Hi All,

As the subject hints at, any attempts to use mythtv for anything 
including accessing the bttv card results in the backend hanging. 
Attempting to restart the backend fails - more specifically, it refuses 
to die, but remains as a "zombie" process.

Various attempts to fix were made, even including fresh install with 
fresh db.

I am a bit vary about replicating the bug too often, since the zombie 
process prevents unmounting of the partition to which I would like to 
store the recordings, resulting in fsck'ing on reboot. Therefore, I 
would like to know how to maximise usable output.

Backend log with no special options only have 2 suspicious entries:

strange error flushing buffer ...

and

ioctl VIDIOC_G_FMT: Invalid argument

The documentation says to ignore the former, and as AFAICT from the 
source, the latter is expected for bttv...

The current kernel is rt2x00.git 2.6.25-rc9, which will be upgraded to a 
2.6.26-rc rt2x00.git kernel as soon as I can get it to work with my wifi 
card. In the event that the latest of those kernels actually allows me 
to boot into a usable system, I will naturally check if it resolves the 
mythtv issue.

Any ideas and suggestions are welcome :-)

Best regards,

Sune Mølgaard

-- 
If we are going to teach creation science as an alternative to 
evolution, then we should also teach the stork theory as an alternative 
to biological reproduction.
- Judith Hayes