ACPICA: Fix: Predefined object repair executed only once

This fixes a problem where the code that attempts to repair/convert
an object of incorrect type is only executed on the first time the
predefined method is called. The mechanism that disables warnings
on subsequent calls was interfering with the repair mechanism.
ACPICA BZ 781.

http://acpica.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=781

Signed-off-by: Bob Moore <robert.moore@intel.com>
Signed-off-by: Lin Ming <ming.m.lin@intel.com>
Signed-off-by: Len Brown <len.brown@intel.com>

5 files changed, 277 insertions, 170 deletions

diff --git a/drivers/acpi/acpica/aclocal.h b/drivers/acpi/acpica/aclocal.h
index ee986edfa0da..ff6689eba917 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/acpica/aclocal.h
+++ b/drivers/acpi/acpica/aclocal.h
@@ -369,6 +369,19 @@ union acpi_predefined_info {
 	struct acpi_package_info3 ret_info3;
 };
 
+/* Data block used during object validation */
+
+struct acpi_predefined_data {
+	char *pathname;
+	const union acpi_predefined_info *predefined;
+	u32 flags;
+	u8 node_flags;
+};
+
+/* Defines for Flags field above */
+
+#define ACPI_OBJECT_REPAIRED    1
+
 /*
  * Bitmapped return value types
  * Note: the actual data types must be contiguous, a loop in nspredef.c
diff --git a/drivers/acpi/acpica/acmacros.h b/drivers/acpi/acpica/acmacros.h
index 91ac7d7b4402..3acd9c6760ea 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/acpica/acmacros.h
+++ b/drivers/acpi/acpica/acmacros.h
@@ -340,6 +340,7 @@
  */
 #define ACPI_ERROR_NAMESPACE(s, e)      acpi_ns_report_error (AE_INFO, s, e);
 #define ACPI_ERROR_METHOD(s, n, p, e)   acpi_ns_report_method_error (AE_INFO, s, n, p, e);
+#define ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED(plist)     acpi_ut_predefined_warning plist
 
 #else
 
@@ -347,6 +348,7 @@
 
 #define ACPI_ERROR_NAMESPACE(s, e)
 #define ACPI_ERROR_METHOD(s, n, p, e)
+#define ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED(plist)
 #endif		/* ACPI_NO_ERROR_MESSAGES */
 
 /*
diff --git a/drivers/acpi/acpica/acutils.h b/drivers/acpi/acpica/acutils.h
index b0add85de308..863a264b829e 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/acpica/acutils.h
+++ b/drivers/acpi/acpica/acutils.h
@@ -475,6 +475,12 @@ u8 acpi_ut_valid_acpi_char(char character, u32 position);
 acpi_status
 acpi_ut_strtoul64(char *string, u32 base, acpi_integer * ret_integer);
 
+void ACPI_INTERNAL_VAR_XFACE
+acpi_ut_predefined_warning(const char *module_name,
+			   u32 line_number,
+			   char *pathname,
+			   u8 node_flags, const char *format, ...);
+
 /* Values for Base above (16=Hex, 10=Decimal) */
 
 #define ACPI_ANY_BASE        0
diff --git a/drivers/acpi/acpica/nspredef.c b/drivers/acpi/acpica/nspredef.c
index abbb855e1b9a..1dc1a4737aa9 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/acpica/nspredef.c
+++ b/drivers/acpi/acpica/nspredef.c
@@ -72,31 +72,33 @@ ACPI_MODULE_NAME("nspredef")
  ******************************************************************************/
 /* Local prototypes */
 static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
-		      union acpi_operand_object **return_object_ptr,
-		      const union acpi_predefined_info *predefined);
+acpi_ns_check_package(struct acpi_predefined_data *data,
+		      union acpi_operand_object **return_object_ptr);
 
 static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_check_package_elements(char *pathname,
+acpi_ns_check_package_elements(struct acpi_predefined_data *data,
 			       union acpi_operand_object **elements,
 			       u8 type1,
 			       u32 count1,
 			       u8 type2, u32 count2, u32 start_index);
 
 static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_check_object_type(char *pathname,
+acpi_ns_check_object_type(struct acpi_predefined_data *data,
 			  union acpi_operand_object **return_object_ptr,
 			  u32 expected_btypes, u32 package_index);
 
 static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_check_reference(char *pathname,
+acpi_ns_check_reference(struct acpi_predefined_data *data,
 			union acpi_operand_object *return_object);
 
 static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_repair_object(u32 expected_btypes,
+acpi_ns_repair_object(struct acpi_predefined_data *data,
+		      u32 expected_btypes,
 		      u32 package_index,
 		      union acpi_operand_object **return_object_ptr);
 
+static void acpi_ns_get_expected_types(char *buffer, u32 expected_btypes);
+
 /*
  * Names for the types that can be returned by the predefined objects.
  * Used for warning messages. Must be in the same order as the ACPI_RTYPEs
@@ -109,13 +111,21 @@ static const char *acpi_rtype_names[] = {
 	"/Reference",
 };
 
-#define ACPI_NOT_PACKAGE    ACPI_UINT32_MAX
+/* Object is not a package element */
+
+#define ACPI_NOT_PACKAGE_ELEMENT    ACPI_UINT32_MAX
+
+/* Always emit warning message, not dependent on node flags */
+
+#define ACPI_WARN_ALWAYS            0
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  *
  * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_check_predefined_names
  *
  * PARAMETERS:  Node            - Namespace node for the method/object
+ *              user_param_count - Number of parameters actually passed
+ *              return_status   - Status from the object evaluation
  *              return_object_ptr - Pointer to the object returned from the
  *                                evaluation of a method or object
  *
@@ -135,12 +145,13 @@ acpi_ns_check_predefined_names(struct acpi_namespace_node *node,
 	acpi_status status = AE_OK;
 	const union acpi_predefined_info *predefined;
 	char *pathname;
+	struct acpi_predefined_data *data;
 
 	/* Match the name for this method/object against the predefined list */
 
 	predefined = acpi_ns_check_for_predefined_name(node);
 
-	/* Get the full pathname to the object, for use in error messages */
+	/* Get the full pathname to the object, for use in warning messages */
 
 	pathname = acpi_ns_get_external_pathname(node);
 	if (!pathname) {
@@ -158,28 +169,17 @@ acpi_ns_check_predefined_names(struct acpi_namespace_node *node,
 	/* If not a predefined name, we cannot validate the return object */
 
 	if (!predefined) {
-		goto exit;
-	}
-
-	/* If the method failed, we cannot validate the return object */
-
-	if ((return_status != AE_OK) && (return_status != AE_CTRL_RETURN_VALUE)) {
-		goto exit;
+		goto cleanup;
 	}
 
 	/*
-	 * Only validate the return value on the first successful evaluation of
-	 * the method. This ensures that any warnings will only be emitted during
-	 * the very first evaluation of the method/object.
+	 * If the method failed or did not actually return an object, we cannot
+	 * validate the return object
 	 */
-	if (node->flags & ANOBJ_EVALUATED) {
-		goto exit;
+	if ((return_status != AE_OK) && (return_status != AE_CTRL_RETURN_VALUE)) {
+		goto cleanup;
 	}
 
-	/* Mark the node as having been successfully evaluated */
-
-	node->flags |= ANOBJ_EVALUATED;
-
 	/*
 	 * If there is no return value, check if we require a return value for
 	 * this predefined name. Either one return value is expected, or none,
@@ -190,46 +190,63 @@ acpi_ns_check_predefined_names(struct acpi_namespace_node *node,
 	if (!return_object) {
 		if ((predefined->info.expected_btypes) &&
 		    (!(predefined->info.expected_btypes & ACPI_RTYPE_NONE))) {
-			ACPI_ERROR((AE_INFO,
-				    "%s: Missing expected return value",
-				    pathname));
+			ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, pathname,
+					      ACPI_WARN_ALWAYS,
+					      "Missing expected return value"));
 
 			status = AE_AML_NO_RETURN_VALUE;
 		}
-		goto exit;
+		goto cleanup;
 	}
 
 	/*
 	 * We have a return value, but if one wasn't expected, just exit, this is
-	 * not a problem
-	 *
-	 * For example, if the "Implicit Return" feature is enabled, methods will
-	 * always return a value
+	 * not a problem. For example, if the "Implicit Return" feature is
+	 * enabled, methods will always return a value.
 	 */
 	if (!predefined->info.expected_btypes) {
-		goto exit;
+		goto cleanup;
+	}
+
+	/* Create the parameter data block for object validation */
+
+	data = ACPI_ALLOCATE_ZEROED(sizeof(struct acpi_predefined_data));
+	if (!data) {
+		goto cleanup;
 	}
+	data->predefined = predefined;
+	data->node_flags = node->flags;
+	data->pathname = pathname;
 
 	/*
 	 * Check that the type of the return object is what is expected for
 	 * this predefined name
 	 */
-	status = acpi_ns_check_object_type(pathname, return_object_ptr,
+	status = acpi_ns_check_object_type(data, return_object_ptr,
 					   predefined->info.expected_btypes,
-					   ACPI_NOT_PACKAGE);
+					   ACPI_NOT_PACKAGE_ELEMENT);
 	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
-		goto exit;
+		goto check_validation_status;
 	}
 
 	/* For returned Package objects, check the type of all sub-objects */
 
 	if (return_object->common.type == ACPI_TYPE_PACKAGE) {
-		status =
-		    acpi_ns_check_package(pathname, return_object_ptr,
-					  predefined);
+		status = acpi_ns_check_package(data, return_object_ptr);
 	}
 
-      exit:
+check_validation_status:
+	/*
+	 * If the object validation failed or if we successfully repaired one
+	 * or more objects, mark the parent node to suppress further warning
+	 * messages during the next evaluation of the same method/object.
+	 */
+	if (ACPI_FAILURE(status) || (data->flags & ACPI_OBJECT_REPAIRED)) {
+		node->flags |= ANOBJ_EVALUATED;
+	}
+	ACPI_FREE(data);
+
+cleanup:
 	ACPI_FREE(pathname);
 	return (status);
 }
@@ -268,64 +285,58 @@ acpi_ns_check_parameter_count(char *pathname,
 		param_count = node->object->method.param_count;
 	}
 
-	/* Argument count check for non-predefined methods/objects */
-
 	if (!predefined) {
 		/*
+		 * Check the parameter count for non-predefined methods/objects.
+		 *
 		 * Warning if too few or too many arguments have been passed by the
 		 * caller. An incorrect number of arguments may not cause the method
 		 * to fail. However, the method will fail if there are too few
 		 * arguments and the method attempts to use one of the missing ones.
 		 */
 		if (user_param_count < param_count) {
-			ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO,
-				      "%s: Insufficient arguments - needs %d, found %d",
-				      pathname, param_count, user_param_count));
+			ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, pathname,
+					      ACPI_WARN_ALWAYS,
+					      "Insufficient arguments - needs %u, found %u",
+					      param_count, user_param_count));
 		} else if (user_param_count > param_count) {
-			ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO,
-				      "%s: Excess arguments - needs %d, found %d",
-				      pathname, param_count, user_param_count));
+			ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, pathname,
+					      ACPI_WARN_ALWAYS,
+					      "Excess arguments - needs %u, found %u",
+					      param_count, user_param_count));
 		}
 		return;
 	}
 
-	/* Allow two different legal argument counts (_SCP, etc.) */
-
+	/*
+	 * Validate the user-supplied parameter count.
+	 * Allow two different legal argument counts (_SCP, etc.)
+	 */
 	required_params_current = predefined->info.param_count & 0x0F;
 	required_params_old = predefined->info.param_count >> 4;
 
 	if (user_param_count != ACPI_UINT32_MAX) {
-
-		/* Validate the user-supplied parameter count */
-
 		if ((user_param_count != required_params_current) &&
 		    (user_param_count != required_params_old)) {
-			ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO,
-				      "%s: Parameter count mismatch - "
-				      "caller passed %d, ACPI requires %d",
-				      pathname, user_param_count,
-				      required_params_current));
+			ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, pathname,
+					      ACPI_WARN_ALWAYS,
+					      "Parameter count mismatch - "
+					      "caller passed %u, ACPI requires %u",
+					      user_param_count,
+					      required_params_current));
 		}
 	}
 
 	/*
-	 * Only validate the argument count on the first successful evaluation of
-	 * the method. This ensures that any warnings will only be emitted during
-	 * the very first evaluation of the method/object.
-	 */
-	if (node->flags & ANOBJ_EVALUATED) {
-		return;
-	}
-
-	/*
 	 * Check that the ASL-defined parameter count is what is expected for
-	 * this predefined name.
+	 * this predefined name (parameter count as defined by the ACPI
+	 * specification)
 	 */
 	if ((param_count != required_params_current) &&
 	    (param_count != required_params_old)) {
-		ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO,
-			      "%s: Parameter count mismatch - ASL declared %d, ACPI requires %d",
-			      pathname, param_count, required_params_current));
+		ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, pathname, node->flags,
+				      "Parameter count mismatch - ASL declared %u, ACPI requires %u",
+				      param_count, required_params_current));
 	}
 }
 
@@ -358,9 +369,6 @@ const union acpi_predefined_info *acpi_ns_check_for_predefined_name(struct
 	this_name = predefined_names;
 	while (this_name->info.name[0]) {
 		if (ACPI_COMPARE_NAME(node->name.ascii, this_name->info.name)) {
-
-			/* Return pointer to this table entry */
-
 			return (this_name);
 		}
 
@@ -375,17 +383,16 @@ const union acpi_predefined_info *acpi_ns_check_for_predefined_name(struct
 		this_name++;
 	}
 
-	return (NULL);
+	return (NULL);		/* Not found */
 }
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  *
  * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_check_package
  *
- * PARAMETERS:  Pathname        - Full pathname to the node (for error msgs)
+ * PARAMETERS:  Data            - Pointer to validation data structure
  *              return_object_ptr - Pointer to the object returned from the
  *                                evaluation of a method or object
- *              Predefined      - Pointer to entry in predefined name table
  *
  * RETURN:      Status
  *
@@ -395,9 +402,8 @@ const union acpi_predefined_info *acpi_ns_check_for_predefined_name(struct
  ******************************************************************************/
 
 static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
-		      union acpi_operand_object **return_object_ptr,
-		      const union acpi_predefined_info *predefined)
+acpi_ns_check_package(struct acpi_predefined_data *data,
+		      union acpi_operand_object **return_object_ptr)
 {
 	union acpi_operand_object *return_object = *return_object_ptr;
 	const union acpi_predefined_info *package;
@@ -414,11 +420,11 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 
 	/* The package info for this name is in the next table entry */
 
-	package = predefined + 1;
+	package = data->predefined + 1;
 
 	ACPI_DEBUG_PRINT((ACPI_DB_NAMES,
 			  "%s Validating return Package of Type %X, Count %X\n",
-			  pathname, package->ret_info.type,
+			  data->pathname, package->ret_info.type,
 			  return_object->package.count));
 
 	/* Extract package count and elements array */
@@ -429,9 +435,8 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 	/* The package must have at least one element, else invalid */
 
 	if (!count) {
-		ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO,
-			      "%s: Return Package has no elements (empty)",
-			      pathname));
+		ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, data->pathname, data->node_flags,
+				      "Return Package has no elements (empty)"));
 
 		return (AE_AML_OPERAND_VALUE);
 	}
@@ -456,15 +461,16 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 		if (count < expected_count) {
 			goto package_too_small;
 		} else if (count > expected_count) {
-			ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO,
-				      "%s: Return Package is larger than needed - "
-				      "found %u, expected %u", pathname, count,
-				      expected_count));
+			ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, data->pathname,
+					      data->node_flags,
+					      "Return Package is larger than needed - "
+					      "found %u, expected %u", count,
+					      expected_count));
 		}
 
 		/* Validate all elements of the returned package */
 
-		status = acpi_ns_check_package_elements(pathname, elements,
+		status = acpi_ns_check_package_elements(data, elements,
 							package->ret_info.
 							object_type1,
 							package->ret_info.
@@ -485,7 +491,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 		 * elements must be of the same type
 		 */
 		for (i = 0; i < count; i++) {
-			status = acpi_ns_check_object_type(pathname, elements,
+			status = acpi_ns_check_object_type(data, elements,
 							   package->ret_info.
 							   object_type1, i);
 			if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
@@ -517,8 +523,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 				/* These are the required package elements (0, 1, or 2) */
 
 				status =
-				    acpi_ns_check_object_type(pathname,
-							      elements,
+				    acpi_ns_check_object_type(data, elements,
 							      package->
 							      ret_info3.
 							      object_type[i],
@@ -530,8 +535,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 				/* These are the optional package elements */
 
 				status =
-				    acpi_ns_check_object_type(pathname,
-							      elements,
+				    acpi_ns_check_object_type(data, elements,
 							      package->
 							      ret_info3.
 							      tail_object_type,
@@ -548,7 +552,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 
 		/* First element is the (Integer) count of sub-packages to follow */
 
-		status = acpi_ns_check_object_type(pathname, elements,
+		status = acpi_ns_check_object_type(data, elements,
 						   ACPI_RTYPE_INTEGER, 0);
 		if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
 			return (status);
@@ -585,9 +589,9 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 
 			/* Each sub-object must be of type Package */
 
-			status =
-			    acpi_ns_check_object_type(pathname, &sub_package,
-						      ACPI_RTYPE_PACKAGE, i);
+			status = acpi_ns_check_object_type(data, &sub_package,
+							   ACPI_RTYPE_PACKAGE,
+							   i);
 			if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
 				return (status);
 			}
@@ -610,7 +614,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 				}
 
 				status =
-				    acpi_ns_check_package_elements(pathname,
+				    acpi_ns_check_package_elements(data,
 								   sub_elements,
 								   package->
 								   ret_info.
@@ -643,7 +647,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 
 				for (j = 0; j < expected_count; j++) {
 					status =
-					    acpi_ns_check_object_type(pathname,
+					    acpi_ns_check_object_type(data,
 						&sub_elements[j],
 						package->ret_info2.object_type[j], j);
 					if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
@@ -665,7 +669,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 				/* Check the type of each sub-package element */
 
 				status =
-				    acpi_ns_check_package_elements(pathname,
+				    acpi_ns_check_package_elements(data,
 								   sub_elements,
 								   package->
 								   ret_info.
@@ -684,7 +688,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 				/* First element is the (Integer) count of elements to follow */
 
 				status =
-				    acpi_ns_check_object_type(pathname,
+				    acpi_ns_check_object_type(data,
 							      sub_elements,
 							      ACPI_RTYPE_INTEGER,
 							      0);
@@ -704,7 +708,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 				/* Check the type of each sub-package element */
 
 				status =
-				    acpi_ns_check_package_elements(pathname,
+				    acpi_ns_check_package_elements(data,
 								   (sub_elements
 								    + 1),
 								   package->
@@ -730,9 +734,9 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 
 		/* Should not get here if predefined info table is correct */
 
-		ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO,
-			      "%s: Invalid internal return type in table entry: %X",
-			      pathname, package->ret_info.type));
+		ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, data->pathname, data->node_flags,
+				      "Invalid internal return type in table entry: %X",
+				      package->ret_info.type));
 
 		return (AE_AML_INTERNAL);
 	}
@@ -743,9 +747,9 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
 
 	/* Error exit for the case with an incorrect package count */
 
-	ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO, "%s: Return Package is too small - "
-		      "found %u, expected %u", pathname, count,
-		      expected_count));
+	ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, data->pathname, data->node_flags,
+			      "Return Package is too small - found %u, expected %u",
+			      count, expected_count));
 
 	return (AE_AML_OPERAND_VALUE);
 }
@@ -754,7 +758,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
  *
  * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_check_package_elements
  *
- * PARAMETERS:  Pathname        - Full pathname to the node (for error msgs)
+ * PARAMETERS:  Data            - Pointer to validation data structure
  *              Elements        - Pointer to the package elements array
  *              Type1           - Object type for first group
  *              Count1          - Count for first group
@@ -770,7 +774,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package(char *pathname,
  ******************************************************************************/
 
 static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_check_package_elements(char *pathname,
+acpi_ns_check_package_elements(struct acpi_predefined_data *data,
 			       union acpi_operand_object **elements,
 			       u8 type1,
 			       u32 count1,
@@ -786,7 +790,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package_elements(char *pathname,
 	 * The second group can have a count of zero.
 	 */
 	for (i = 0; i < count1; i++) {
-		status = acpi_ns_check_object_type(pathname, this_element,
+		status = acpi_ns_check_object_type(data, this_element,
 						   type1, i + start_index);
 		if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
 			return (status);
@@ -795,7 +799,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package_elements(char *pathname,
 	}
 
 	for (i = 0; i < count2; i++) {
-		status = acpi_ns_check_object_type(pathname, this_element,
+		status = acpi_ns_check_object_type(data, this_element,
 						   type2,
 						   (i + count1 + start_index));
 		if (ACPI_FAILURE(status)) {
@@ -811,12 +815,13 @@ acpi_ns_check_package_elements(char *pathname,
  *
  * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_check_object_type
  *
- * PARAMETERS:  Pathname        - Full pathname to the node (for error msgs)
+ * PARAMETERS:  Data            - Pointer to validation data structure
  *              return_object_ptr - Pointer to the object returned from the
  *                                evaluation of a method or object
  *              expected_btypes - Bitmap of expected return type(s)
  *              package_index   - Index of object within parent package (if
- *                                applicable - ACPI_NOT_PACKAGE otherwise)
+ *                                applicable - ACPI_NOT_PACKAGE_ELEMENT
+ *                                otherwise)
  *
  * RETURN:      Status
  *
@@ -826,7 +831,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_package_elements(char *pathname,
  ******************************************************************************/
 
 static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_check_object_type(char *pathname,
+acpi_ns_check_object_type(struct acpi_predefined_data *data,
 			  union acpi_operand_object **return_object_ptr,
 			  u32 expected_btypes, u32 package_index)
 {
@@ -834,9 +839,6 @@ acpi_ns_check_object_type(char *pathname,
 	acpi_status status = AE_OK;
 	u32 return_btype;
 	char type_buffer[48];	/* Room for 5 types */
-	u32 this_rtype;
-	u32 i;
-	u32 j;
 
 	/*
 	 * If we get a NULL return_object here, it is a NULL package element,
@@ -849,10 +851,11 @@ acpi_ns_check_object_type(char *pathname,
 	/* A Namespace node should not get here, but make sure */
 
 	if (ACPI_GET_DESCRIPTOR_TYPE(return_object) == ACPI_DESC_TYPE_NAMED) {
-		ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO,
-			      "%s: Invalid return type - Found a Namespace node [%4.4s] type %s",
-			      pathname, return_object->node.name.ascii,
-			      acpi_ut_get_type_name(return_object->node.type)));
+		ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, data->pathname, data->node_flags,
+				      "Invalid return type - Found a Namespace node [%4.4s] type %s",
+				      return_object->node.name.ascii,
+				      acpi_ut_get_type_name(return_object->node.
+							    type)));
 		return (AE_AML_OPERAND_TYPE);
 	}
 
@@ -897,10 +900,11 @@ acpi_ns_check_object_type(char *pathname,
 
 		/* Type mismatch -- attempt repair of the returned object */
 
-		status = acpi_ns_repair_object(expected_btypes, package_index,
+		status = acpi_ns_repair_object(data, expected_btypes,
+					       package_index,
 					       return_object_ptr);
 		if (ACPI_SUCCESS(status)) {
-			return (status);
+			return (AE_OK);	/* Repair was successful */
 		}
 		goto type_error_exit;
 	}
@@ -908,7 +912,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_object_type(char *pathname,
 	/* For reference objects, check that the reference type is correct */
 
 	if (return_object->common.type == ACPI_TYPE_LOCAL_REFERENCE) {
-		status = acpi_ns_check_reference(pathname, return_object);
+		status = acpi_ns_check_reference(data, return_object);
 	}
 
 	return (status);
@@ -917,33 +921,19 @@ acpi_ns_check_object_type(char *pathname,
 
 	/* Create a string with all expected types for this predefined object */
 
-	j = 1;
-	type_buffer[0] = 0;
-	this_rtype = ACPI_RTYPE_INTEGER;
-
-	for (i = 0; i < ACPI_NUM_RTYPES; i++) {
-
-		/* If one of the expected types, concatenate the name of this type */
-
-		if (expected_btypes & this_rtype) {
-			ACPI_STRCAT(type_buffer, &acpi_rtype_names[i][j]);
-			j = 0;	/* Use name separator from now on */
-		}
-		this_rtype <<= 1;	/* Next Rtype */
-	}
+	acpi_ns_get_expected_types(type_buffer, expected_btypes);
 
-	if (package_index == ACPI_NOT_PACKAGE) {
-		ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO,
-			      "%s: Return type mismatch - found %s, expected %s",
-			      pathname,
-			      acpi_ut_get_object_type_name(return_object),
-			      type_buffer));
+	if (package_index == ACPI_NOT_PACKAGE_ELEMENT) {
+		ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, data->pathname, data->node_flags,
+				      "Return type mismatch - found %s, expected %s",
+				      acpi_ut_get_object_type_name
+				      (return_object), type_buffer));
 	} else {
-		ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO,
-			      "%s: Return Package type mismatch at index %u - "
-			      "found %s, expected %s", pathname, package_index,
-			      acpi_ut_get_object_type_name(return_object),
-			      type_buffer));
+		ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, data->pathname, data->node_flags,
+				      "Return Package type mismatch at index %u - "
+				      "found %s, expected %s", package_index,
+				      acpi_ut_get_object_type_name
+				      (return_object), type_buffer));
 	}
 
 	return (AE_AML_OPERAND_TYPE);
@@ -953,7 +943,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_object_type(char *pathname,
  *
  * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_check_reference
  *
- * PARAMETERS:  Pathname        - Full pathname to the node (for error msgs)
+ * PARAMETERS:  Data            - Pointer to validation data structure
  *              return_object   - Object returned from the evaluation of a
  *                                method or object
  *
@@ -966,7 +956,7 @@ acpi_ns_check_object_type(char *pathname,
  ******************************************************************************/
 
 static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_check_reference(char *pathname,
+acpi_ns_check_reference(struct acpi_predefined_data *data,
 			union acpi_operand_object *return_object)
 {
 
@@ -979,11 +969,10 @@ acpi_ns_check_reference(char *pathname,
 		return (AE_OK);
 	}
 
-	ACPI_WARNING((AE_INFO,
-		      "%s: Return type mismatch - "
-		      "unexpected reference object type [%s] %2.2X",
-		      pathname, acpi_ut_get_reference_name(return_object),
-		      return_object->reference.class));
+	ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, data->pathname, data->node_flags,
+			      "Return type mismatch - unexpected reference object type [%s] %2.2X",
+			      acpi_ut_get_reference_name(return_object),
+			      return_object->reference.class));
 
 	return (AE_AML_OPERAND_TYPE);
 }
@@ -992,8 +981,11 @@ acpi_ns_check_reference(char *pathname,
  *
  * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_repair_object
  *
- * PARAMETERS:  Pathname        - Full pathname to the node (for error msgs)
- *              package_index   - Used to determine if target is in a package
+ * PARAMETERS:  Data            - Pointer to validation data structure
+ *              expected_btypes - Object types expected
+ *              package_index   - Index of object within parent package (if
+ *                                applicable - ACPI_NOT_PACKAGE_ELEMENT
+ *                                otherwise)
  *              return_object_ptr - Pointer to the object returned from the
  *                                evaluation of a method or object
  *
@@ -1005,7 +997,8 @@ acpi_ns_check_reference(char *pathname,
  ******************************************************************************/
 
 static acpi_status
-acpi_ns_repair_object(u32 expected_btypes,
+acpi_ns_repair_object(struct acpi_predefined_data *data,
+		      u32 expected_btypes,
 		      u32 package_index,
 		      union acpi_operand_object **return_object_ptr)
 {
@@ -1016,6 +1009,8 @@ acpi_ns_repair_object(u32 expected_btypes,
 	switch (return_object->common.type) {
 	case ACPI_TYPE_BUFFER:
 
+		/* Does the method/object legally return a string? */
+
 		if (!(expected_btypes & ACPI_RTYPE_STRING)) {
 			return (AE_AML_OPERAND_TYPE);
 		}
@@ -1052,19 +1047,29 @@ acpi_ns_repair_object(u32 expected_btypes,
 		 *    reference count of the old object.
 		 * 2. Decrement the reference count of the original object.
 		 */
-		if (package_index != ACPI_NOT_PACKAGE) {
+		if (package_index != ACPI_NOT_PACKAGE_ELEMENT) {
 			new_object->common.reference_count =
 			    return_object->common.reference_count;
 
 			if (return_object->common.reference_count > 1) {
 				return_object->common.reference_count--;
 			}
+
+			ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, data->pathname,
+					      data->node_flags,
+					      "Converted Buffer to expected String at index %u",
+					      package_index));
+		} else {
+			ACPI_WARN_PREDEFINED((AE_INFO, data->pathname,
+					      data->node_flags,
+					      "Converted Buffer to expected String"));
 		}
 
 		/* Delete old object, install the new return object */
 
 		acpi_ut_remove_reference(return_object);
 		*return_object_ptr = new_object;
+		data->flags |= ACPI_OBJECT_REPAIRED;
 		return (AE_OK);
 
 	default:
@@ -1073,3 +1078,39 @@ acpi_ns_repair_object(u32 expected_btypes,
 
 	return (AE_AML_OPERAND_TYPE);
 }
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ *
+ * FUNCTION:    acpi_ns_get_expected_types
+ *
+ * PARAMETERS:  Buffer          - Pointer to where the string is returned
+ *              expected_btypes - Bitmap of expected return type(s)
+ *
+ * RETURN:      Buffer is populated with type names.
+ *
+ * DESCRIPTION: Translate the expected types bitmap into a string of ascii
+ *              names of expected types, for use in warning messages.
+ *
+ ******************************************************************************/
+
+static void acpi_ns_get_expected_types(char *buffer, u32 expected_btypes)
+{
+	u32 this_rtype;
+	u32 i;
+	u32 j;
+
+	j = 1;
+	buffer[0] = 0;
+	this_rtype = ACPI_RTYPE_INTEGER;
+
+	for (i = 0; i < ACPI_NUM_RTYPES; i++) {
+
+		/* If one of the expected types, concatenate the name of this type */
+
+		if (expected_btypes & this_rtype) {
+			ACPI_STRCAT(buffer, &acpi_rtype_names[i][j]);
+			j = 0;	/* Use name separator from now on */
+		}
+		this_rtype <<= 1;	/* Next Rtype */
+	}
+}
diff --git a/drivers/acpi/acpica/utmisc.c b/drivers/acpi/acpica/utmisc.c
index 9cd65334ca75..5bd29606dc61 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/acpica/utmisc.c
+++ b/drivers/acpi/acpica/utmisc.c
@@ -50,6 +50,11 @@
 #define _COMPONENT          ACPI_UTILITIES
 ACPI_MODULE_NAME("utmisc")
 
+/*
+ * Common suffix for messages
+ */
+#define ACPI_COMMON_MSG_SUFFIX \
+	acpi_os_printf(" %8.8X %s-%u\n", ACPI_CA_VERSION, module_name, line_number)
 /*******************************************************************************
  *
  * FUNCTION:    acpi_ut_validate_exception
@@ -1065,8 +1070,7 @@ acpi_error(const char *module_name, u32 line_number, const char *format, ...)
 
 	va_start(args, format);
 	acpi_os_vprintf(format, args);
-	acpi_os_printf(" %8.8X %s-%u\n", ACPI_CA_VERSION, module_name,
-		       line_number);
+	ACPI_COMMON_MSG_SUFFIX;
 	va_end(args);
 }
 
@@ -1080,8 +1084,7 @@ acpi_exception(const char *module_name,
 
 	va_start(args, format);
 	acpi_os_vprintf(format, args);
-	acpi_os_printf(" %8.8X %s-%u\n", ACPI_CA_VERSION, module_name,
-		       line_number);
+	ACPI_COMMON_MSG_SUFFIX;
 	va_end(args);
 }
 
@@ -1094,8 +1097,7 @@ acpi_warning(const char *module_name, u32 line_number, const char *format, ...)
 
 	va_start(args, format);
 	acpi_os_vprintf(format, args);
-	acpi_os_printf(" %8.8X %s-%u\n", ACPI_CA_VERSION, module_name,
-		       line_number);
+	ACPI_COMMON_MSG_SUFFIX;
 	va_end(args);
 }
 
@@ -1116,3 +1118,46 @@ ACPI_EXPORT_SYMBOL(acpi_error)
 ACPI_EXPORT_SYMBOL(acpi_exception)
 ACPI_EXPORT_SYMBOL(acpi_warning)
 ACPI_EXPORT_SYMBOL(acpi_info)
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ *
+ * FUNCTION:    acpi_ut_predefined_warning
+ *
+ * PARAMETERS:  module_name     - Caller's module name (for error output)
+ *              line_number     - Caller's line number (for error output)
+ *              Pathname        - Full pathname to the node
+ *              node_flags      - From Namespace node for the method/object
+ *              Format          - Printf format string + additional args
+ *
+ * RETURN:      None
+ *
+ * DESCRIPTION: Warnings for the predefined validation module. Messages are
+ *              only emitted the first time a problem with a particular
+ *              method/object is detected. This prevents a flood of error
+ *              messages for methods that are repeatedly evaluated.
+ *
+******************************************************************************/
+
+void ACPI_INTERNAL_VAR_XFACE
+acpi_ut_predefined_warning(const char *module_name,
+			   u32 line_number,
+			   char *pathname,
+			   u8 node_flags, const char *format, ...)
+{
+	va_list args;
+
+	/*
+	 * Warning messages for this method/object will be disabled after the
+	 * first time a validation fails or an object is successfully repaired.
+	 */
+	if (node_flags & ANOBJ_EVALUATED) {
+		return;
+	}
+
+	acpi_os_printf("ACPI Warning for %s: ", pathname);
+
+	va_start(args, format);
+	acpi_os_vprintf(format, args);
+	ACPI_COMMON_MSG_SUFFIX;
+	va_end(args);
+}