Today's update killed X on my laptop

jsduberg · 2009-11-05 04:21:19

Five year old Gateway laptop. Intel 855 chip. I was using xf86-video-intel-legacy. The pacman -Syu update warned me that the driver was going to be replaced by something else.

X does not work anymore. I have googled the heck out of this and find myself having to dig in way deeper than I want.

Seems like arch should not break older computers.

Otherwise, I have been very happy with arch on a number of boxes.

zmyx · 2009-11-05 07:35:27

have you seen this thread?

I have Intel 82852/82855 GM graphic and pacman -Syu also break my X (freeze at startx and had to hard-reset the machine). Do the following solve my problem.

(from that thread, credit to the original poster)

marcoscan wrote:

I have an Intel Corporation 82845G/GL video card and with the last pacman update I replaced xf86-video-intel-legacy driver (which I used without xorg.conf) with xf86-video-intel, experiencing some issues (Xorg crashes, wrong resolution and refresh rate, strange dpi settings).
I solved these issues activating kms:
1 - adding "i915.modeset=1" to the kernel commandline and removing all "vga=" and "video=" options in /boot/grub/menu.lst
and
2 - adding "intel_agp i915" to MODULES section in /etc/mkinitcpio.conf: MODULES="... intel_agp i915"

then

sudo mkinitcpio -p kernel26

Note that I'm not using a xorg.conf and it's working fine.

Last edited by zmyx (2009-11-05 07:36:20)

mivo · 2009-11-05 08:26:10

Couldn't start X after after today's updates on my old laptop, either (GF4 Ti-4200 Go), as it was unable to load the nvidia module. Got it back up without xorg.conf, but haven't had a chance yet to fiddle with this. (Bit annoying, I just finished setting up Arch on that laptop yesterday. My desktop's fine.)

mivo · 2009-11-05 13:36:32

Okay, a few hours later ... Xorg 1.7.1 doesn't support the nvidia-96xx drivers anymore, the current Nvidia drivers 190.42 don't support my GF4 Ti-4200 Go. The nouveau drivers refuse to work as well (yes, replaced libgl before -- "Unknown LVDS configuration bits"). Since nothing else fixed this, I downgraded Xorg to 1.6.3 and things are working again. Hopefully, either Nvidia or Xorg will address the issue (not sure in whose field this ball belongs). Keeping Xorg on the ignore list can only be a temporary solution for a RR distro.

Korab · 2009-11-05 14:04:59

zmyx wrote:

I solved these issues activating kms:
1 - adding "i915.modeset=1" to the kernel commandline and removing all "vga=" and "video=" options in /boot/grub/menu.lst
and
2 - adding "intel_agp i915" to MODULES section in /etc/mkinitcpio.conf: MODULES="... intel_agp i915" then
sudo mkinitcpio -p kernel26
Note that I'm not using a xorg.conf and it's working fine.

My laptop with Intel 82852/82855 GM video card, working again

Thanks.

pingviin · 2009-11-05 14:10:52

zmyx wrote:

have you seen this thread?
I have Intel 82852/82855 GM graphic and pacman -Syu also break my X (freeze at startx and had to hard-reset the machine). Do the following solve my problem.
(from that thread, credit to the original poster)
marcoscan wrote:
I have an Intel Corporation 82845G/GL video card and with the last pacman update I replaced xf86-video-intel-legacy driver (which I used without xorg.conf) with xf86-video-intel, experiencing some issues (Xorg crashes, wrong resolution and refresh rate, strange dpi settings).
I solved these issues activating kms:
1 - adding "i915.modeset=1" to the kernel commandline and removing all "vga=" and "video=" options in /boot/grub/menu.lst
and
2 - adding "intel_agp i915" to MODULES section in /etc/mkinitcpio.conf: MODULES="... intel_agp i915"
then
sudo mkinitcpio -p kernel26
Note that I'm not using a xorg.conf and it's working fine.

I also have Intel Intel 82852/8285. Using marcoscan's method I got X up and running, but it's still buggy. Can you please check if glxgears is running on your computer now? I get Segmentation fault when I try to run it.

zmyx · 2009-11-05 15:06:32

pingviin wrote:

Can you please check if glxgears is running on your computer now? I get Segmentation fault when I try to run it.

glxgears runs just fine. glxinfo also reports no problem as far as i can tell.

Korab · 2009-11-05 15:22:04

zmyx wrote:

glxgears runs just fine.

Yes I confirm that, works without any troubles

# glxgears
870 frames in 5.0 seconds = 173.865 FPS
930 frames in 5.0 seconds = 185.933 FPS
930 frames in 5.0 seconds = 185.936 FPS
930 frames in 5.0 seconds = 185.935 FPS
930 frames in 5.0 seconds = 185.934 FPS
928 frames in 5.0 seconds = 185.535 FPS
929 frames in 5.0 seconds = 185.735 FPS

donpicoro · 2009-11-05 16:03:45

to mivo:
How exactly did you downgrade your xorg to 1.6.3 (I asumme you are talking about 1.6.3.901 which is the latest I have before 1.7.1) without all the dependencies issues?

mivo · 2009-11-05 16:37:35

donpicoro wrote:

to mivo: How exactly did you downgrade your xorg to 1.6.3 (I asumme you are talking about 1.6.3.901 which is the latest I have before 1.7.1) without all the dependencies issues?

I "pacman -R"-ed the fourteen relevant packages that had been updated and then "pacman -U"'-ed the previous versions (from /var/cache/pacman/pkg). Those packages were:

xf86-input-evdev
xf86-input-keyboard
xf86-input-mouse
xf86-input-synaptics
xf86-video-vesa
xorg-apps
xorg-font-utils
xorg-fonts-alias
xorg-fonts-encodings
xorg-server
xorg-server-utils
xorg-utils
xorg-xauth
xorg-xkb-utils

Then I edited /etc/pacman.conf and added xorg to the group ignore, and the following packages to the package ignore list:

xf86-input-evdev
xf86-input-keyboard
xf86-input-mouse
xf86-input-synaptics
xorg-apps
xorg-font-utils
xorg-fonts-alias
xorg-fonts-encodings
xorg-xauth
xorg-xkb-utils

Only reverting the packages in the xorg group didn't do the trick. It would still crash when only xf86-input-synaptics had not been rolled back.

There is probably a more elegant way, but this didn't take too much time and it worked.

donpicoro · 2009-11-05 16:59:40

I just did

$ pacman -U /var/cache/pacman/pkg/xorg-server-1.6.3.901-1-i686.pkg.tar.gz /var/cache/pacman/pkg/xorg-server-utils-7.4-7-i686.pkg.tar.gz /var/cache/pacman/pkg/xf86-input-evdev-2.2.5-1-i686.pkg.tar.gz /var/cache/pacman/pkg/xf86-input-keyboard-1.3.2-2-i686.pkg.tar.gz /var/cache/pacman/pkg/xf86-input-mouse-1.4.0-2-i686.pkg.tar.gz /var/cache/pacman/pkg/xf86-input-synaptics-1.1.3-1-i686.pkg.tar.gz /var/cache/pacman/pkg/xf86-video-nv-2.1.14-1-i686.pkg.tar.gz /var/cache/pacman/pkg/xf86-video-vesa-2.2.0-1-i686.pkg.tar.gz

as menctioned in the thread http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=83686
and worked like a charm to me.
Apparently according to http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Downgrade_packages there is no need to remove the packages when downgrading!!!!

Last edited by donpicoro (2009-11-05 17:01:19)

pingviin · 2009-11-07 10:33:06

Are you guys using xf86-video-intel or xf86-video-intel-newest?

Edit:
I finally got it working. Using xf86-video-intel and KMS. I have no idea why didn't it work before. Thank you for your help.
I guess we can tag it solved?

Last edited by pingviin (2009-11-07 11:14:45)

mivo · 2009-11-21 17:15:22

Just an update on my Nvidia/Xorg situation: A week ago Nvidia released updated legacy drivers (except 71.xx.xx) with support for Xorg 1.7.x, so I upgraded Xorg and the nvidia-96xx package, and things work fine on my old laptop. (Phoronix on the driver update.)

pjezek · 2009-11-22 12:57:36

I have not solved freezing X startup procedure on my Thinkapd X40 with intel 82852/82855 GM chip with onboard graphic. Neither with my recent functional xorg.conf (suppressed hotplugging) nor without xorg.conf and with i915 addendum in grub kernel line and in mkinitcpio.conf and with input config of hal. Using downgrade of xorg-server is not my case due to frequent -Scc and an empty package cache. After startx a short HDD activity repeats several time to final freeze, xorg.0.log is error-free. I strongly plead for debugging current xorg packages to keep funcionality of 1.6.x. Downgrading is sharply opposite to arch "bleeding edge" and "roll-on" philosophy! I hope that there is no will here to throw older thinkpads to the dark hole...

I use the latest intel driver as well as reinstalled xorg-server. Switching between KMS on and off in grub kernel line (i915.modeset) makes no difference - both freeze comp after startx (or xinit or X) and a 1/4 sec unreadable message before a blackscreen death.

Can any other confirm persistent blackscreen/freeze problem for integrated intel 855GM laptop chips? What was the successful cure for lucky mates?

Thanks to any who kick me to the right place...

Edit: Test of xorg configured (X -configure --> /root/xorg.conf.new) fails the same way as any other attempts to startx. Again, xorg.0.log is without any EE markers. Who is maintainer of xf86-video-fbdev for 32bit system (orphan...)?

Edit2: I realised uninstall x86-video-fbdev. Solution? No, the same total lockup. Perhaps a new comment: First touch of the power button is followed with a short HD activity, next touch-and-hold halts the laptop. What about some sleep mode invoked somehow after startx (hmm, why no wake up on power button there)?

Last edited by pjezek (2009-11-29 16:41:09)

Onyros · 2009-11-28 03:25:50

pjezek, I feel for you, mate... I had the same problem, same chipset (Intel 855GM) but it was actually a desktop - an AOpen Cube - which has that mobile chipset.

I had constant freezes, to the point that I stopped using the desktop altogether until I found a solution... But it's not a pretty one for you. I tried everything short of downgrading, 'cos I really didn't want to go through the trouble.

As it is a desktop, and the cube has an AGP slot, I'll be using a dedicated graphic chip for the time being. The biggest con is the noise, which was one of the main advantages of still using the cube. The pros... well, besides performance - which isn't that important to me -, the fact that it just won't freeze now.

Meaning... I didn't find a good, reliable solution. And I don't suppose it'll be high on people's priorities to solve the freezing. Unfortunately for us, but especially for people, like you, with laptops and older Intel integrated graphics chips.

edit: It's been a rough year for us... ever since the i810 driver was discontinued, everything only worked fine and dandy with the xf86-video-intel-legacy driver.

Last edited by Onyros (2009-11-28 03:27:09)

pjezek · 2009-11-29 16:31:28

Onyros, thanks for your confirmation of this damned trouble with 855GM. Now, this is your turn, our judges - maintainers!

minimal · 2009-12-04 04:04:03

Alternative solution: uninstall xf86-video-intel-newest, install xf86-video-vesa and xf86-video-fbdev

This works for me but glxgears never goes higher than 103 and gtkperf manages 56.9 seconds. Framerate for extremetuxracer terrible though and never exceeds 1.6FPS

Well, here's hoping someone else has a solution to be able to play games again on acer travelmate 291 with intel 855GM graphics card..

to Onyros: yes, its been rough owning this chipset :S

pjezek · 2009-12-06 13:13:55

->minimal: This alternative is familiar to me. Vesa driver is, unfortunately, less functional then intel one, as you wrote (known feature for a long time). Thinkpads are not typewriters but fully featured machines. Despite rather old graphic chip, I simply keep asking for continual fully functional graphics in X. Thanks to all participating in search of desired...

minimal · 2009-12-07 03:23:51

As per Marcoscan's comments, I tried his recommendation after posting but this froze X with the '_' cursor on the top left corner of the screen with xf86-video-intel-newest:
<code>
1 - adding "i915.modeset=1" to the kernel commandline and removing all "vga=" and "video=" options in /boot/grub/menu.lst
and
2 - adding "intel_agp i915" to MODULES section in /etc/mkinitcpio.conf: MODULES="... intel_agp i915"
</code>

So I reverted to my alternative solution.

pjezek -> At one point I also tried intelfb and uvesafb without success and I am convinced that the best way to improve graphics performance on intel 855gm chipset is to revert to older versions of Xorg-server, mesa, etc.

Until recently, xf86-video-intel-stable gave me the best performance until xorg-server was upgraded to 1.7.1

mivo -> What sort of performance are you getting??

thanks everyone for your comments

zjintz · 2009-12-23 17:30:35

I have the same problem trying to install X, my device is 82852/855GM , X doesn't work either with vesa or intel , and the ksm doesn't change anything. . So sad, Is an old laptop but archlinux would run wonderful on it.

minimal · 2010-01-04 04:55:37

well, slightly off-topic but a few days ago I tried upgrading to kernel 2.6.32 but modules would not load and nothing worked - no modules, mouse, X froze on boot, could just about get back in in single user mode but could not get to the bottom of what caused this, could not find any errors in the logs except that all modules were failing to load so I have restored from backup to get up and running again. Just wondering if anyone else with my intel 855GM graphics card has experienced the same this week..?

oh, and happy new year

zjintz · 2010-01-11 20:29:34

Minimal: mine is working fine, better than ever.

minimal · 2010-02-25 00:43:19

Well, I got it fixed - it was a combination of 2 things:
1. xf86-video-intel-git had some drivers left over in my /tmp directory and was not allowing me to re-install xf86-video-intel.
2. X was not starting up properly and had to start manually. I had the classic "X respawining too fast.." message. Upgrading to the latest xorg+xf86-video-intel fixed the issue and back to normal now with excellent performance!

extremetuxracer is playable again with up to 10FPS and glxgears gives 370FPS. switching between console sessions is immediate now and very happy

Hope this helps someone out there with the same issue..

Arch Linux

#1 2009-11-05 04:21:19

Today's update killed X on my laptop

#2 2009-11-05 07:35:27

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#3 2009-11-05 08:26:10

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#4 2009-11-05 13:36:32

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#5 2009-11-05 14:04:59

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#6 2009-11-05 14:10:52

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#7 2009-11-05 15:06:32

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#8 2009-11-05 15:22:04

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#9 2009-11-05 16:03:45

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#10 2009-11-05 16:37:35

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#11 2009-11-05 16:59:40

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#12 2009-11-07 10:33:06

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#13 2009-11-21 17:15:22

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#14 2009-11-22 12:57:36

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#15 2009-11-28 03:25:50

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#16 2009-11-29 16:31:28

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#17 2009-12-04 04:04:03

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#18 2009-12-06 13:13:55

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#19 2009-12-07 03:23:51

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#20 2009-12-23 17:30:35

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#21 2010-01-04 04:55:37

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#22 2010-01-11 20:29:34

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

#23 2010-02-25 00:43:19

Re: Today's update killed X on my laptop

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