Dell XPS 13 9350 Late 2015

kn · 2016-10-11 09:38:59

@SupaHotFireee It seems that to take full advantage of 4K@60Hz over DP (which this hub might internally use) one needs to run a newer 4.8.x kernel. I also didn't manage to get 4K@60Hz over DP dongle with current stable 4.7.6 kernel.

Sorry for a rather basic question to people running 4.8.x - are you running a kernel from testing repository or did you compile it yourself? (i.e. from this guide: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ke … mpilation)
I am at the point where I would like to run 4.8.x to have 4K over DP, but at the same time I would like to otherwise keep my system as stable as possible - what's the "less intrusive" way to run a 4.8.x kernel? I am worried about enabling testing as this seems to be a one-way change, which will then impact every package in my system.

Last edited by kn (2016-10-11 09:40:18)

gedh · 2016-10-11 11:06:00

You basically want the testing kernel but everything else from stable.
The simplest solution would be to download the testing kernel testing/linux and the according header files if required testing/linux-headers from the official website. Be sure to use dkms for module building (e.g. for virtualbox) in order to circumvent outdated and probably broken modules.

On the other hand if you want to build the kernel yourself just start on top of the official package and continue from there.

frank604 · 2016-10-11 17:56:01

@kn, newer kernel doesn't mean unstable. We have new hardware and for best stability and/or performance, newer kernel is my recommendation. We compile ourselves. In my github there is a pkgbuild for intel drm branch kernel which has been on 4.8 for the past month.

I would not enable testing just for 4.8.

Last edited by frank604 (2016-10-11 17:57:51)

SupaHotFireee · 2016-10-11 18:17:05

I'm a bit new to Linux so I have a question for you guys. I was planning on installing something like linux-mainline from the AUR to move to 4.8 (would that be enough to get my displays working?) but in franks post he suggested compiling the kernel manually. I've never done something like that but I feel like it would be something beneficial to learn--would that be preferable to installing linux-mainline?

davidgf · 2016-10-11 21:46:20

Hey!
I know it might not be _the_ place to write this, but since many people land here from Google in search for answers...
I created a kernel repo for fedora that includes NVME kernel patches for 4.8.X
https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/coprs … l-nvme-lp/

Hope it helps someone!

robsmith11 · 2016-10-12 17:20:00

SupaHotFireee wrote:

I'm a bit new to Linux so I have a question for you guys. I was planning on installing something like linux-mainline from the AUR to move to 4.8 (would that be enough to get my displays working?) but in franks post he suggested compiling the kernel manually. I've never done something like that but I feel like it would be something beneficial to learn--would that be preferable to installing linux-mainline?

If you have an NVME SSD, you might as well use the patched kernel here, so that you also get the power saving benefits:
https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/linux-nvme/

I've only just started using Arch, so correct me if I miss something, but I think the installation steps I used were something like
1. Download and extract snapshot from above AUR link.
2. Run makepkg in the extracted directory.
3. makepkg will likely complain about missing dependencies. Use pacman to install those normally.
4. Rerun makepkg after installing all deps.
5. Edit /boot/loader/entries/arch.conf to point to "linux-nvme" rather than "linux".
6. Reboot and check that "uname -a" shows the new kernel version.

OdinEidolon · 2016-10-12 17:28:05

robsmith11 wrote:

SupaHotFireee wrote:
I'm a bit new to Linux so I have a question for you guys. I was planning on installing something like linux-mainline from the AUR to move to 4.8 (would that be enough to get my displays working?) but in franks post he suggested compiling the kernel manually. I've never done something like that but I feel like it would be something beneficial to learn--would that be preferable to installing linux-mainline?
If you have an NVME SSD, you might as well use the patched kernel here, so that you also get the power saving benefits:
https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/linux-nvme/
I've only just started using Arch, so correct me if I miss something, but I think the installation steps I used were something like
1. Download and extract snapshot from above AUR link.
2. Run makepkg in the extracted directory.
3. makepkg will likely complain about missing dependencies. Use pacman to install those normally.
4. Rerun makepkg after installing all deps.
5. Edit /boot/loader/entries/arch.conf to point to "linux-nvme" rather than "linux".
6. Reboot and check that "uname -a" shows the new kernel version.

Step 5 depends on your bootloader.

damige · 2016-10-12 18:17:46

robsmith11 wrote:

SupaHotFireee wrote:
I'm a bit new to Linux so I have a question for you guys. I was planning on installing something like linux-mainline from the AUR to move to 4.8 (would that be enough to get my displays working?) but in franks post he suggested compiling the kernel manually. I've never done something like that but I feel like it would be something beneficial to learn--would that be preferable to installing linux-mainline?
If you have an NVME SSD, you might as well use the patched kernel here, so that you also get the power saving benefits:
https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/linux-nvme/
I've only just started using Arch, so correct me if I miss something, but I think the installation steps I used were something like
1. Download and extract snapshot from above AUR link.
2. Run makepkg in the extracted directory.
3. makepkg will likely complain about missing dependencies. Use pacman to install those normally.
4. Rerun makepkg after installing all deps.
5. Edit /boot/loader/entries/arch.conf to point to "linux-nvme" rather than "linux".
6. Reboot and check that "uname -a" shows the new kernel version.

Two other options (which i personally find easier/better)

1) Use an AUR helper, an example of this is: "yaourt" , when you have yaourt installed all you need to do is "yaourt -S <package>" instaid of "pacman -S <package>" . An AUR helper includes aur in package-searches. This meens yaourt -S linux-nvme will install it and keep you posted incase i make an update.

2) If you find compiling it takes too much time (for me on the xps13 about 50minutes) you can download pre-compiled files from : https://github.com/damige/linux-nvme/tree/master/pkg (currently newest is 4.8.1) Keep in mind that using pre-compiled files could be tampered with and should be trusted only if you trust the source. In this case, i have made them myself and they are the same as the AUR package. If you believe me you can install the files with "pacman -U "<filename>" (which takes about 30 seconds) if you dont, option 1 checks all sources. Installing it this way combined with using an AUR-helper will also keep you posted on future updates.

Then continue at step 5.

I have also looked into making a repo for the linux-nvme binaries but i have not had the time to make this happen yet. This would make it possible to install the binaries by adding a line to /etc/pacman.conf.

edit: Also, an AUR helper will sort out the required dependencies for you!

Last edited by damige (2016-10-12 18:22:09)

SupaHotFireee · 2016-10-12 23:02:59

Thanks Rob, Odin, and Damige! I really appreciate your guys' help. I think I'll compile it myself just to have that experience, however, I now have a few more questions. I assume pacman would continually updating the default linux kernel while I am using the custom compiled one, correct? Lets say I am on the custom compiled kernel and when the time comes around that arch upgrades the kernel to 4.8.x would I point back to the arch supplied kernel?

Thanks.

zetxx · 2016-10-13 06:43:32

SupaHotFireee wrote:

Thanks Rob, Odin, and Damige! I really appreciate your guys' help. I think I'll compile it myself just to have that experience, however, I now have a few more questions. I assume pacman would continually updating the default linux kernel while I am using the custom compiled one, correct? Lets say I am on the custom compiled kernel and when the time comes around that arch upgrades the kernel to 4.8.x would I point back to the arch supplied kernel?
Thanks.

nope you dont need to point it back, you should touch your boot manager to give it correct default boot kernel, for instance, custom one, and after time, when you know that those nvme patches are in git master branch, and landed to default kernel, then you will want to go back to default kernel ... there is a siginificant improvements in power consumption with those nvme patches, and more are coming

mrunion · 2016-10-13 16:53:55

damige wrote:

1) Use an AUR helper, an example of this is: "yaourt"

If you are new to Arch and packages, do not follow this advice until you learn how the AUR works, and how to use makepkg to handle AUR packages. (https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/AUR_helpers)

And even after you're familiar with packages and chose to use a helper, don;t use YAOURT. https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/AU … ison_table

damige · 2016-10-13 19:28:38

mrunion wrote:

And even after you're familiar with packages and chose to use a helper, don;t use YAOURT. https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/AU … ison_table

This was meant as an example (i personally use pacaur, and have used yaourt previously) but you're right there are many options of which i find yaourt is visually more clear (the use of color for example) but technically subpar to many others.
i'll link to the table if asked in the future.

frank604 · 2016-10-13 20:34:16

MRUnion has a very important notice. The Arch community does indeed recommend all users to understand how to manually compile via makepkg/pkgbuilds/abs/make/makefile prior to using any 'helper'. Once your understand exactly what is going on, another good read is http://jasonwryan.com/blog/2013/04/09/helpers/ which is an oldie but a goodie. Then you can use whichever helper fits. I use a combination of cower and pacaur fwiw. Don't be scared of 'trying', be scared that you 'never try'.

Last edited by frank604 (2016-10-13 20:35:16)

zekebsatx · 2016-10-14 15:07:36

I upgraded to mainline kernel 4.7-6-1 and recompiled the evdi driver and displaylink service which I use with a D300 docking station (with a DP mout to an external monitor).

# systemctl status displaylink.service
● displaylink.service - DisplayLink Manager Service
   Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/displaylink.service; enabled; vendor 
   Active: active (running) since Fri 2016-10-14 09:56:40 CDT; 7min ago
  Process: 1031 ExecStartPre=/sbin/modprobe evdi (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
 Main PID: 1033 (DisplayLinkMana)
    Tasks: 34 (limit: 4915)
   CGroup: /system.slice/displaylink.service
           └─1033 /usr/lib/displaylink/DisplayLinkManager

Oct 14 09:56:40 ArchXPS systemd[1]: Starting DisplayLink Manager Service...
Oct 14 09:56:40 ArchXPS systemd[1]: Started DisplayLink Manager Service.

So the evdi driver is working and the Displaylink service is working and active.

But, when I invoke xrandr, I get no outputs listed:

$ xrandr --listproviders
Providers: number : 0

Trying to setoutputsource obviously fails, so I can't get my external display to work. Other aspects of the port are working (USB hub, wired network).

What am I missing?

frank604 · 2016-10-14 16:34:04

@zekebsatx, I don't think your issue is a strictly dell xps 13 9350 issue. Perhaps open a thread in 'newbie corner' as that attracts more attention. Does your displaylink device work on other arch machines?

zekebsatx · 2016-10-14 16:56:44

I'll open another thread. I haven't tested it on any other arch devices - don't have any with the requisite USB3.0 port.
But it did work with the earlier 4.7-X kernels.

SupaHotFireee · 2016-10-14 19:58:22

Hey guys. I successfully updated to the linux-nvme kernel talked about earlier in the thread so I am on the 4.8.1 kernel but I still cannot seem to get my computer to detect my monitors, any ideas? Output for the previous commands is still the same.

frank604 · 2016-10-14 20:50:56

@supahotfireee, try the intel-drm-nightly https://github.com/frank604/Intel-DRM-Nightly

Also, just in case it isn't due to a mistaken config, can you tell us more details? This is a monitor connected to your xps directly? Dock? Which Dock? What did you do to set up the monitor? {x|a}randr? xorg conf?

jafasi · 2016-10-15 16:09:31

Wanted to report back that removing xf86-video-intel fixes the "reboot at resume" issue for me.

Happy to have everything back working (and with 4.8.1-nvme I now run at ~3 Watts - FHD/nvme model, wifi connected, open chromium, screen brightness at 2%).

OdinEidolon · 2016-10-15 17:29:07

jafasi wrote:

Wanted to report back that removing xf86-video-intel fixes the "reboot at resume" issue for me.
Happy to have everything back working (and with 4.8.1-nvme I now run at ~3 Watts - FHD/nvme model, wifi connected, open chromium, screen brightness at 2%).

Can you post the output of

 sudo systool -m i915 -av

?

Thanks!

jafasi · 2016-10-15 17:50:59

Sure:

Module = "i915"

  Attributes:
    coresize            = "1236992"
    initsize            = "0"
    initstate           = "live"
    refcnt              = "25"
    taint               = ""
    uevent              = <store method only>

  Parameters:
    disable_display     = "N"
    disable_power_well  = "1"
    edp_vswing          = "0"
    enable_cmd_parser   = "1"
    enable_dc           = "-1"
    enable_dp_mst       = "Y"
    enable_dpcd_backlight= "N"
    enable_execlists    = "1"
    enable_fbc          = "0"
    enable_guc_loading  = "0"
    enable_guc_submission= "0"
    enable_gvt          = "N"
    enable_hangcheck    = "Y"
    enable_ips          = "1"
    enable_ppgtt        = "3"
    enable_psr          = "0"
    enable_rc6          = "1"
    fastboot            = "N"
    guc_log_level       = "-1"
    inject_load_failure = "0"
    invert_brightness   = "0"
    load_detect_test    = "N"
    lvds_channel_mode   = "0"
    lvds_use_ssc        = "-1"
    mmio_debug          = "0"
    modeset             = "-1"
    nuclear_pageflip    = "N"
    panel_ignore_lid    = "1"
    prefault_disable    = "N"
    preliminary_hw_support= "0"
    reset               = "Y"
    semaphores          = "-1"
    use_mmio_flip       = "0"
    vbt_sdvo_panel_type = "-1"
    verbose_state_checks= "Y"

I tried enabling PSR and FBC: psr gives short freezes, fbc is okay but doesn't really make any difference in terms of power consumption. So I decided to remove any unnecessary boot options and stick with the defaults.

OdinEidolon · 2016-10-15 18:06:15

jafasi wrote:

Sure:
I tried enabling PSR and FBC: psr gives short freezes, fbc is okay but doesn't really make any difference in terms of power consumption. So I decided to remove any unnecessary boot options and stick with the defaults.

Thanks, yes I also found the same things as you did (tho on the XPS15).

nos1609 · 2016-10-16 20:46:17

Have anybody tried using Intel Dynamic Platform & Thermal Framework Driver on arch? Our laptop does support it and I am pretty sure it might significally improve battery endurance.

Last edited by nos1609 (2016-10-16 20:46:40)

frank604 · 2016-10-16 23:42:17

@nos1609, the link provided is for Chromium OS. I didn't know what this was until I googled it and found this and this.

My question to everyone is, what differences are between something like thermald vs the DPTF? Sounds like the concepts are similar. Or, did I miss the boat on this? Also, if sputnik is making ubuntu ready dell xps 9350, did the DPTF get installed on these? Why don't I find this online? Just curious as I've never come across this.

SupaHotFireee · 2016-10-18 04:06:30

Hey frank, thanks for pointing me to your repository! I tried compiling it multiple times but it keeps throwing errors at me. I've tried re-downloading it multiple times to recompile but each time I get errors. My universities internet is pretty bad (around 30Kb/s) so I am not really interested in downloading it again. Any suggestions?

Arch Linux

#1026 2016-10-11 09:38:59

Re: Dell XPS 13 9350 Late 2015

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Re: Dell XPS 13 9350 Late 2015

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