Tp_smapi not loading at boot time. Negates battery charging limits on older Thinkpads

Support Kernel
1

Been going on for about 6 weeks. Only recently looked for errors in journal (see below). Happens with all kernels from 6.7 to as far back as 5.15; didn’t check any further back.

Jan 22 09:30:06 tom-pc systemd-modules-load[195]: Failed to insert module 'tp_smapi': Exec format error
Jan 22 09:30:06 tom-pc systemd-modules-load[195]: Failed to insert module 'tp_smapi': Exec format error
Jan 22 09:30:06 tom-pc systemd[1]: Failed to start Load Kernel Modules.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit systemd-modules-load.service has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://forum.manjaro.org/c/support
░░ 
░░ A start job for unit systemd-modules-load.service has finished with a failure.
░░ 
░░ The job identifier is 5 and the job result is failed.
Jan 22 09:30:09 tom-pc systemd-modules-load[533]: Failed to insert module 'tp_smapi': Exec format error
Jan 22 09:30:09 tom-pc systemd-modules-load[533]: Failed to insert module 'tp_smapi': Exec format error
Jan 22 09:30:09 tom-pc systemd[1]: Failed to start Load Kernel Modules.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit systemd-modules-load.service has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://forum.manjaro.org/c/support
░░ 
░░ A start job for unit systemd-modules-load.service has finished with a failure.
░░ 
░░ The job identifier is 150 and the job result is failed.
Jan 22 09:30:10 tom-pc systemd-modules-load[592]: Failed to insert module 'tp_smapi': Exec format error
Jan 22 09:30:10 tom-pc systemd-modules-load[592]: Failed to insert module 'tp_smapi': Exec format error
Jan 22 09:30:10 tom-pc systemd[1]: Failed to start Load Kernel Modules.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit systemd-modules-load.service has failed
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://forum.manjaro.org/c/support
░░ 
░░ A start job for unit systemd-modules-load.service has finished with a failure.
░░ 
░░ The job identifier is 233 and the job result is failed.

Moderator edit: In the future, please use proper formatting: [HowTo] Post command output and file content as formatted text

2

… and how does it affect the usage of your system?

If the answer is - it doesn’t - then ignore it.

3

One of the purposes of the package is to activate & utilize the battery charging limits. I now run my laptop without the battery to prevent damage by constantly charging to maximum.

4

Can’t this be fixed by any kind of activity after booting?

5

Did you use the proper tp_smapi kernel module?

An alternative there is :
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/TLP

6

I haven’t found anyway to do it after booting. Do you know what an: Exec format error is ?

7

Here is a good explanation:
https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Knowledge_Base:Chrooting_returns_exec_format_error

8

The proper module seems to be automatically selected for any kernel I install. Your TLP link says: Tp_smapi is required for Thinkpads prior to 2011.

9

This is a 64 bit system and it’s been working with tp_smapi since Sept. 2022, until recently that is. Sorry I meant to say Sept. 2020.

I have another Thinkpad here, same model R500 slightly slower processor, both running Manjaro & both exhibit the problem.

10

Some weeks ago i run into the same problem on an old Thinkpad X201. It seems that these precompiled modules in the Manjaro extra repository are broken. I then tested the tp_smapi-dkms package from AUR, which solves the problem for me.

11

Thank you so much. I will give it a try.

12

Your solution does work, thanks again. I hope they “fix” the modules in the extra repository so I don’t have to do this every time I run a different kernel. Another temporary fix to remember.

13

FYI - The solution offered by TheInvisible does work so I suspect he’s right about the tp_smapi kernel modules in the extra repository being the problem. Most people affected by this may not even realize they have a problem because their system is working. Thanks for your help.

14

Same here. I have a fleet of Thinkpad T410, gradually moving them over to manjaro. I chose this distro due to its tailored setup for thinkpads.
It would be great if the tp_smapi packages could be fixed!
The workaround with tp_smapi-dkms worked, after I installed the linux-headers (not in the default setup obviously)

15

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