Arch Linux

Kiljaeden

Member

Registered: 2011-06-17

Posts: 2

Arch doesn't boot with radeon module

Hi all,
On my Acer TImelineX 4820T laptop, I have an ATI mobility radeon HD 5470. I can switch (with vga_switcheroo) to an Intel GMA, which is less power-consuming.
Since 2.6.38 kernel, the ATI graphics are not recognized anymore : the OS doesn't boot (boot fails at "waiting for Udev uevents to be processed"). This problem can be solved by blacklisting the radeon module, and then I use the Intel graphics.
Nevertheless, when the radeon module is blacklisted, i can't use vga_switcheroo to save energy nor using my ATI card if I need it (I sometimes manipulate photos w/ Gimp or Inkscape).
It would be great if I could boot with the radeon module enabled.
I don't really see where is the problem, I hope you'll help me to solve it.

Thanks.

Last edited by Kiljaeden (2011-06-17 11:11:31)

zenlord

Member

From: Belgium

Registered: 2006-05-24

Posts: 1,223

Website

Re: Arch doesn't boot with radeon module

Did you try to enable/disable KMS?
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Radeon

Kiljaeden

Member

Registered: 2011-06-17

Posts: 2

Re: Arch doesn't boot with radeon module

Enabling KMS looks good. It allows me to boot without blacklisting the radeon module. I can switch off the ATI card to save energy.
But there's a second problem then : I can't install xf86-video-ati, which is in conflict with the Intel driver I use for my Intel GMA (free driver, xf86-video-intel I guess). So ?

depeha

Member

Registered: 2011-06-20

Posts: 9

Re: Arch doesn't boot with radeon module

Hi, I have HP Pavilion dv6 with similar specs - intel i5 GMA + ATi Radeon 5650. I've installed arch with opensource ati and intel drivers:

$ pacman -Q | grep -E "xf86-video-ati|xf86-video-intel"

xf86-video-ati 6.14.1-1
xf86-video-intel 2.15.0-2

but, as you said, arch didn't boot without blacklisted radeon. Next thing, switcheroo was disabled. So I googled a little bit and found this:

Blacklist radeon:

sudo echo > /etc/modprobe.d/radeon.conf blacklist\ radeon

add few lines to /etc/rc.local:

modprobe radeon
echo OFF > /sys/kernel/debug/vgaswitcheroo/switch

Now you have booted arch, with working switcheroo and powered down ATi card

olsman037

Member

Registered: 2011-06-17

Posts: 27

Re: Arch doesn't boot with radeon module

@ depeha : thank you so much!!! I have now 1 hour more with my laptop and the boot problems I had when I first tried vgaswitcheroo seems to be solved...

Can you add this to the wiki ?

depeha

Member

Registered: 2011-06-20

Posts: 9

Re: Arch doesn't boot with radeon module

I'm glad I could help    now in wiki