Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

supusr · 2016-05-18 17:15:25

I have generally used debian/ubuntu distros as an intermediate user, but now am looking at arch. My current problem is that the last kernel to properly support the ¡915 intel sandybridge graphics driver was 4.2.x. The new ubuntu 16.04 lts (& flavors) comes with a 4.4.x kernel (and no other older one that will work), so I cannot use it with my native 1920x1080 display. I would like to know how to install arch with a lts 4.2.x kernel and keep it through any future updates. Alternatively, it would be great to use the newest kernel with updated intel driver support (unaware of any). Thanks very much.

alex.theoto · 2016-05-18 17:37:08

Right now linux-lts uses 4.4.x version.
There is no way to use stock_old kernels for security reasons.

Now, for your problem, you have to test on your computer. Use wiki and if you have problem, give us more info.

supusr · 2016-05-18 20:25:47

Good enough. When you say to test on my computer, do you mean to install Arch on it? I did so already (previously), only to find the resolution could not be set to my native resolution. There does not appear to be a solution (that works) in the Wiki. I have reinstalled Ubuntu 14.04.4 LTS for now because I can see my screen. I could reinstall Arch if you believe it would help lead me to a solution, but it is very difficult to read the screen...

graysky · 2016-05-18 20:27:48

If an older build of Ubuntu works, there is no reason why Arch won't. You will need to provide some details about your hardware and some logs in order to get help here.

supusr · 2016-05-18 21:26:38

Hmmm. I am willing to provide anything in order to resolve my issue.

PC: Asus 6850-5
OS: Ubuntu 14.04.4 trusty
OS Type: 64-bit
Kernel: x86_64 Linux 4.2.0-36-generic
Packages: 1909
Shell: bash 4.3.11
Resolution: 1920x1080
DE: Unity 7.2.6
WM: Compiz
CPU: Intel Core i5-2310 CPU @ 3.2GHz
RAM: 1394MiB / 11927MiB
Integrated Graphics: Intel Sandybridge Desktop (¡915)
Disk: 1.5 TB

Let me know what additional output is needed. I am currently under the impression that the current kernel lacks support (a driver) for my graphics, and that Intel has not produced updated drivers for the 4.4.x series kernels. My machine is only a 2011 vintage.

TheChickenMan · 2016-05-18 22:36:41

You could use an older supported LTS kernel from the AUR. For instance linux-lts41 but that might not be necessary. I hadn't noticed any issue with the driver on the sandybridge mobile laptop that I use with Arch.

bstaletic · 2016-05-18 22:46:42

Is yourproblem with resolution only manifested when xorg is running?

supusr · 2016-05-18 23:35:28

TheChickenMan: OK. Thanks.

bstaletic: Yes, I believe so; I believe it was always enabled and automatically running by default (?)

alex.theoto · 2016-05-19 05:42:11

Showing your Ubuntu details doesn't help at all.

Find a way to install Arch (by second OS on your hdd or flash disk install) and then start to examine what is going on...

supusr · 2016-05-19 17:24:51

alex.theoto: I know what is going on -- the new kernels have a bug and don't support my graphics. This has been acknowledged on Launchpad. The Ubuntu details showed what cpu, graphics, and resolution I have, though that was not everything needed, of course. Thanks for the interest, though.

alex.theoto · 2016-05-19 17:33:56

Arch is not Ubuntu. I think that you can try to install and when you get dead end on Xorg you can ask us.

Reading the wiki might help you.

supusr · 2016-05-19 17:51:11

I know Arch is not Ubuntu. I know it is better and more sophisticated in many ways, particularly because it is an independently developed rolling release system. I was trying to ask about my particular issue in this thread -- one guy asked me about xorg and then did not reply to the information I provided. If there is a setting in xorg I knew about to try after installing it would help me a lot. My problem with reinstalling without some clue about a possible fix is that it is nearly impossible to read the screen with the resolution issue that prevents itself when I use Arch and the new kernel. Also, no one as of now has stated that it is not a bug in the kernel itself. I admit I am only an intermediate user, and not a technical person, so my focus is more practical than anything.

supusr · 2016-05-19 17:51:50

presents, not prevents

TheChickenMan · 2016-05-19 17:58:57

supusr wrote:

Also, no one as of now has stated that it is not a bug in the kernel itself. I admit I am only an intermediate user, and not a technical person, so my focus is more practical than anything.

I mentioned not having an issue with Sandybridge Mobile graphics in Arch using the new kernel. Of course that doesn't necessarily mean that nobody has an issue. You might wish to research this further. Common issues are often listed in the wiki.

supusr wrote:

My problem with reinstalling without some clue about a possible fix is that it is nearly impossible to read the screen with the resolution issue that prevents itself when I use Arch and the new kernel.

Are you saying that you are getting this issue running Arch on your laptop, not only Ubuntu? I thought you had not yet tried this with Arch. Is this an issue with the graphics when booted to the Arch installation media?

Last edited by TheChickenMan (2016-05-19 18:03:07)

supusr · 2016-05-19 18:20:31

Yes, I had Arch running and experienced this problem, exactly the same as with Ubuntu 16.04, Sparky Linux, and all other Debian-based distros using a kernel later than 4.2.x. Incidentally, I once ran Arch for a few weeks previously, before the 4.x kernels, and had no problems on the same machine. Also, I did see that one person had claimed he had no issues in Arch on his mobile graphics on his laptop, but that information did not help me on a practical level. I came to Linux late (3 years ago) after becoming outraged with Microsoft's shameless robbery of the populace (I used to be a union rep.), and have taught myself a lot, but at times I think I detect communication challenges between non-technical folks like me and truly proficient technical people. Although I am retired, I unable to spend every waking hour figuring out puzzles without some clues or general directions. I am willing to learn more and spend the time necessary to do so if I have a reasonable hope of resolving a problem. If I could learn to install and maintain a rolling release like Arch on my current hardware, that would be great, but the main reason I was looking at Arch in the first place was its reputation as an advanced and flexible OS -- I figured some of the users would be proficient enough to guide me despite the oft-stated disdain for those who can't or won't read (that's not me).

alex.theoto · 2016-05-19 18:25:48

You don't give us any information. You have the problem and you have to give us details...
You tell us some info for old Ubuntu kernel. Not hardware info. No syslog

If you have a working ArchLinux right now, can you give us any journalctl info, lspci, or whatever related to understand what is wrong with your gpu?

Last edited by alex.theoto (2016-05-19 18:28:00)

supusr · 2016-05-19 18:33:02

Well, I could reinstall later today if you recommend it -- I won't be able to read the screen easily, but could probably generate lspci output for you. I do not know how to provide the journalctl info, but if you tell me I will do it. I have from the beginning been willing to give any details I am asked for.

alex.theoto · 2016-05-19 18:39:06

Ok, that's a start...

After installation, install the intel driver, start window manager and tell us what is the exact problem with your screen.

EDIT: If your screen is (for whatever reason) unreadable, open a tty terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+F3 and you can operate the system and see the logs.

Last edited by alex.theoto (2016-05-19 18:43:48)

supusr · 2016-05-19 18:55:54

OK. I'll need 90 minutes or 2 hours to install. I'm not sure there is an intel driver, which is the whole problem, but I'll try and get back to you here. I appreciate your willingness to try to help me.

Slithery · 2016-05-19 18:59:16

supusr wrote:

I'm not sure there is an intel driver

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Intel_graphics

TheChickenMan · 2016-05-19 19:02:29

supusr wrote:

OK. I'll need 90 minutes or 2 hours to install. I'm not sure there is an intel driver, which is the whole problem, but I'll try and get back to you here. I appreciate your willingness to try to help me.

Did you read the wiki article about Intel graphics from (posted twice before) earlier in this thread?
The answers to this are in the very first section of that article.

Install the xf86-video-intel package. It provides the DDX driver for 2D acceleration and it pulls in mesa as a dependency, providing the DRI driver for 3D acceleration. To enable OpenGL support, also install mesa-libgl. If you are on x86_64 and need 32-bit support, also install lib32-mesa-libgl from the multilib repository.

Last edited by TheChickenMan (2016-05-19 19:09:05)

supusr · 2016-05-19 19:07:14

OK. I will install xf86-video-intel after installation. Thanks. Talk to you later.

supusr · 2016-05-19 19:08:51

OK. You caught me just in time -- I will also install mesa-libgl.

supusr · 2016-05-19 21:52:39

I'm back. Arch is installed with xfce. native resolution of 1920x1080 is unavailable. That is, it whows as an option in displays, but is fuzzy. Refresh rate is 59.9. I can select 1600x1200 and it is readable, but distorted -- that's what I have it on now. I installed xf86-video-iontel and mesa-libgl.

supusr · 2016-05-19 22:38:28

BTW, Concerning... Did you read the wiki article about Intel graphics from (posted twice before) earlier in this thread?
The answers to this are in the very first section of that article.

Yes, I read it. I applied the suggested remedies the last time I installed, to no avail.

Arch Linux

#1 2016-05-18 17:15:25

Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#2 2016-05-18 17:37:08

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#3 2016-05-18 20:25:47

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#4 2016-05-18 20:27:48

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#5 2016-05-18 21:26:38

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#6 2016-05-18 22:36:41

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#7 2016-05-18 22:46:42

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#8 2016-05-18 23:35:28

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#9 2016-05-19 05:42:11

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#10 2016-05-19 17:24:51

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#11 2016-05-19 17:33:56

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#12 2016-05-19 17:51:11

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#13 2016-05-19 17:51:50

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#14 2016-05-19 17:58:57

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#15 2016-05-19 18:20:31

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#16 2016-05-19 18:25:48

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#17 2016-05-19 18:33:02

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#18 2016-05-19 18:39:06

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#19 2016-05-19 18:55:54

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#20 2016-05-19 18:59:16

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#21 2016-05-19 19:02:29

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#22 2016-05-19 19:07:14

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#23 2016-05-19 19:08:51

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#24 2016-05-19 21:52:39

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

#25 2016-05-19 22:38:28

Re: Install with a specific kernel with specif graphics support

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