Krylov-based algorithms have recently been used (alone, or in combination with other methods) in order to solve systems of linear equations that arise during integer factorization and discrete logarithm computations.
Since these include systems over small finite fields, the behavior of these algorithms in this setting is of interest. Unfortunately, the application of these methods is complicated by the possibility of several kinds of breakdown. Orthogonal vectors can arise when a variant of the Lanczos algorithm is used to generate a basis, and zero-discrepancies can arise during the computation of minimal polynomials of linearly recurrent sequences when Wiedemann's algorithm is applied. Several years ago, Austin Lobo reported experimental evidence that zero-discrepancies are extremely unlikely when a randomized version of Wiedemann's algorithm is applied to solve systems over large fields. With high probability, results are correct if a computation is terminated as soon as such a sequence is detected. "Early termination" has consequently been included in recent implementations. In this paper, we analyze the probability of long sequences of zero-discrepancies during computations of minimal polynomials of the linearly recurrent sequences that arise when simple Krylov-based algorithms are used to solve systems over very small finite fields. Variations of these algorithms that incorporate early termination are briefly presented and analyzed in the small field case.