Checkerboard pattern when starting X

marko2010 · 2015-03-29 05:26:56

I have a new arch install on a system with AMD Radeon Sumo 6370D graphics. I installed xf86-video-ati driver. Whenever I try to start X I get the checkboard pattern below:

click here to see larger image

The pattern never goes away, and I can't even drop back to a consol by pressing Alt+F2.

Anyone know how to fix this?

One little oddity to mention: For some strange reason the ~/.xinitrc file was missing from this new install. I copied one in from another Arch system and made it executable. Still no joy.

Knute · 2015-03-29 05:47:41

Have you gone through the wiki page for your drivers?

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

marko2010 · 2015-03-29 06:12:04

Knute wrote:

Have you gone through the wiki page for your drivers?

Yes, I double checked my configuration steps, but no luck.

Last edited by marko2010 (2015-03-29 07:55:10)

Knute · 2015-03-29 06:24:40

What kernel parameters are you using? If you have a vga= line or nomodeset in your kernel parameters, it could cause problems.

marko2010 · 2015-03-29 06:41:57

Knute wrote:

What kernel parameters are you using?

I'm not using any kenel parameters in my grub configuration.

One interesting discovery. I booted up the system using a Ubuntu Mate live CD and I am getting checkboard pattern after Plymouth runs. I'm beginning to wonder if this is the video chipset from hell, usually live CDs can load a video driver that works.

Also tried switching monitors - still the checkerboard pattern.

Knute · 2015-03-29 11:51:34

What happens if you turn plymouth off?

Head_on_a_Stick · 2015-03-29 12:09:06

marko2010 wrote:

For some strange reason the ~/.xinitrc file was missing from this new install. I copied one in from another Arch system and made it executable. Still no joy.

That is entirely normal:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xi … figuration

Also, ~/.xinitrc doesn't need to be executable.

empty@FreeBSD ~ % ls -l .xinitrc 
-rw-r--r--  1 empty  empty  242 Mar 29 10:42 .xinitrc

What is your output for that command?

Have you tried different acceleration methods?

# /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-radeon.conf
Section "Device"
	Identifier  "Radeon"
	Driver	    "radeon"
        Options     "EXA" # other options are "XAA" or "Glamor" -- see man radeon
EndSection

Arch Linux

#1 2015-03-29 05:26:56

Checkerboard pattern when starting X

#2 2015-03-29 05:47:41

Re: Checkerboard pattern when starting X

#3 2015-03-29 06:12:04

Re: Checkerboard pattern when starting X

#4 2015-03-29 06:24:40

Re: Checkerboard pattern when starting X

#5 2015-03-29 06:41:57

Re: Checkerboard pattern when starting X

#6 2015-03-29 11:51:34

Re: Checkerboard pattern when starting X

#7 2015-03-29 12:09:06

Re: Checkerboard pattern when starting X

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