Blacklist the modules in /etc/modeprobe.d/blacklist.conf (create this file if you don’t have it).
On one of my computers, I had to do this.
For example, the watchdogs I had in use were 2 modules, iTCO_wdt and mei_wdt; mei-wdt is part of Intel’s Management Engine Interface. I have blacklisted both; this is what my /etc/modeprobe.d/blacklist.conf looks like:
# disable intel mei (including mei_watchdog)
blacklist mei
blacklist mei_me
blacklist mei_hdcp
blacklist mei_wdt
# Do not load the 'iTCO_wdt' watchdog module on boot.
blacklist iTCO_wdt
That’s for my modules; you’ll want to use the ones that you have instead.
(I’m not familiar with intel_pmc_bxt - you may want to try just blacklisting the 2 iTCO modules first, as I know it is safe to do so)
This driver provides support for the PMC (Power Management Controller) on Intel Broxton and Apollo Lake. The PMC is a multi-function device that exposes IPC, General Control Register and P-unit access. In addition this creates devices for iTCO watchdog and telemetry that are part of the PMC.
This should continue working, unless there is a major change in the kernel.
Then we’ll have to start all over again . But I wouldn’t worry about it.
One minor technicality: you didn’t disable intel-mei, but intel_pmc_bxt - it doesn’t really matter, but you might want to change this comment in your blacklist file for future clarity:
The problem is, with some people, on some systems, it hangs for 90 seconds or so at reboot or shutdown.
You can shorten the timer to a few seconds, or go deep-diving to try and figure out what is misconfigured, but since watchdogs aren’t particularly useful for personal computers, I find it more efficient to simply disable them.
Old topic but one that has finally fixed the issue that has plagued me …like forever. It stalled shutdowns on both my desktop and laptop. Just a , and maybe a and a couple of to all those above for the fixes. Thank you.
sorry, I didn’r read the whole thread, simply do this.
Blacklist the modules in /etc/modeprobe.d/blacklist.conf (create this file if you don’t have it).
To disable watchdog timers (both software and hardware), append nowatchdog to your boot parameters.
sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
# disable intel mei (including mei_watchdog)
blacklist intel_pmc_bxt 16384 1 iTCO_wdt
blacklist iTCO_vendor_support 16384 1 iTCO_wdt
# Do not load the 'iTCO_wdt' watchdog module on boot.
blacklist iTCO_wdt
I was getting those as well. I remembered something I used to do to fix it but had to dig into my notebook. Try this:
Make this file: sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/sp5100_tco.conf
Put this in the file:
blacklist sp5100_tco
hit ctrl+o to write enter to save ctrl+x to exit
Then sytemctrl reboot
I don’t see those messages anymore. As well as journal warnings.
If this fixes it for you I will come back and clean this thread up and make a new one as the original has been marked solved. Some are going to say there is a better way to do this and they are right i just can’t find it anymore. If it works it works!
. But I wouldn’t worry about it.
, and maybe a 
and a couple of 
to all those above for the fixes. Thank you.
