> Folks,
>
> I am running Linux kernel 1.3.20 (installed from the 5-CD Slackware 3.0
> set). I installed on a 2.1GB SCSI HDD (Conner) and Adaptec AHA2940W
> controller with AIC7870 chipset.
>
> I have now completed my seventh Linux installation since mid December.
> Finally everything seems stable, but...
>
[Hardware problem omitted]
>
> dumpe2fs --> says my Linux partitions (/dev/sda2 and /dev/sda3) are
> "not clean".
As soon as the partition is mounted, your filesystem is no longer
clean. Unmount it to get it clean again!
>
> I.E. --> Filesystem state: not clean
>
> on either partition (/dev/sda2=root and /dev/sda3=/usr) after login.
>
> During boot-up everything appears normal and Linux partitions are
> reported as "clean" so "no checking" is executed (perhaps I should
> force checking with boot parameters?).
See above
>
> Only when I login and actually execute dumpe2fs do I get this report of
> unclean filesystem.
>
> I have alotted 1 partition for DOS (>=32) which is /dev/sda1. /dev/sda4
> is a 32M swap partition.
>
> One of my Linux colleagues suggested a reinstall with no DOS partitions
They should read the above, too!
> on the drive (but should this matter with SCSI?). I thought it best to
> strobe a couple of newsgroups to see if anyone else might be
> experiencing anything similiar and if I could get some alternate
> suggestions. I think the drive is starting to wear out a little from
> being reformatted so many times :)
>
> A while back (before I physically looked at my controller) I was very
> concerned when I learned that the AIC7850 chipset which is _not_ fully
> supported yet, thinking this was my problem. It was a relief to find my
> chipset is the AIC7870. I was getting suggestions to update my kernel
> to 1.3.68 or greater. Is this necessary with the AIC7870 chipset
> AHA2940W?
>
> Is it safe to run e2fsck with Linux (active) partitions mounted?
No! The filesystem is not necessarily consistent, and it might be
changed at any instant. Unmount or remount read-only.
>
> Are there ways to determine why my filesystem is not clean and what
> might be causing it?
Beside what's been already said above, a system crash or a hard reset
will leave your filesystem unclean. Then fsck should start up during
boot...
>
> Am I needlessly worrying as everything appears stable with no crashes
> or hanging?
>
> Suggestions are welcomed with open arms and open mind.
Final suggestion: Make sure you have version 0.5c of the ext2tools.
They say that they are better in finding and correcting problems.
>
> Regards and Thanks in advance,
>
> --Steve
>
> cahill@icd.teradyne.com
> smc@empire.net
>
> ps: Please reply directly to either of the above addresses as I am not
> sure whether I am currently subscribed to any of the newsgroups you
> might be reading this from.
Ulrich