Xorg problem on Toshiba laptop, ATI Mobility M6

**Mord** · 12-14-2004

I hate to do this on my first post, but I'm getting desperate here. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

xorg-x11-6.8.0-r3 no longer starts properly on my laptop. It was working 4 days ago (I was watching a DVD with mplayer in Gnome), but then I did something stupid: emerged ati-drivers, and I haven't been able to get xorg to work properly since. Since that time, I have done the following, with no success:

- unmerged ati-drivers
- recompiled my kernel dozens of times, each time trying different combinations of kernel/module options, also did some "make cleans"
- unmerged and re-emeged xorg-x11
- played with my xorg.conf endlessly to no avail

At the moment, there are some weird things I have noticed:

- using "startx", the server starts to load, I get a mouse cursor, then it aborts. There are no errors (EE) or warnings (WW) logged in /var/log/Xorg.0.log
- using "/etc/init.d/xdm start", the xorg server loads and hangs at the ugly grey screen with a tiny wrist watch icon. And stays that way until I kill it.
- if I use "X -config /etc/X11/xorg.conf" (the xorg.conf shown below), the default grey screen loads with a functioning mouse cursor. At this point, I can switch to another terminal and run things like "glxgears" or "glxinfo". Glxinfo shows that direct rendering is working properly.
- occasionally when I try to start the Xorg server, this gets logged to dmesg and /var/log/messages: (not all the time but sometimes)

Code:

vesafb&#58; mode switch failed &#40;eax&#58; 0x14f&#41;

Its like there's something really simple that has changed and I can't figure out what it is.

Here's my card, grepped from lspci -v:

0000:01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon Mobility M6 LY (prog-if 00 [VGA])

Here's my current xorg.conf: (currently shows me using the ati driver, tho I've tried both radeon and even vga, to no avail)

Code:

Section "ServerLayout"
        Identifier     "X.org Configured"
        Screen      0  "Screen0" 0 0
        InputDevice    "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
        InputDevice    "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
EndSection

Section "Files"
        RgbPath      "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"
        ModulePath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/modules"
        FontPath     "/usr/share/fonts/misc/"
        FontPath     "/usr/share/fonts/TTF/"
        FontPath     "/usr/share/fonts/Type1/"
        #FontPath     "/usr/share/fonts/CID/"
        FontPath     "/usr/share/fonts/75dpi/"
        FontPath     "/usr/share/fonts/100dpi/"
EndSection

Section "Module"
        Load  "extmod"
        Load  "dbe"
        Load  "record"
        Load  "xtrap"
        Load  "glx"
        Load  "dri"
        Load  "type1"
        Load  "freetype"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier  "Keyboard0"
        Driver      "kbd"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier  "Mouse0"
        Driver      "mouse"
        Option      "Protocol" "auto"
        Option      "Device" "/dev/mouse"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier   "Monitor0"
        VendorName   "Monitor Vendor"
        ModelName    "Monitor Model"
EndSection

Section "Device"
        ### Available Driver options are&#58;-
        ### Values&#58; [i]&#58; integer, <f>&#58; float, <bool>&#58; "True"/"False",
        ### <string>&#58; "String", <freq>&#58; "<f> Hz/kHz/MHz"
        ### &#91;arg&#93;&#58; arg optional
        Option     "NoAccel"    "Off"                   # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "SWcursor"                  # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "Dac6Bit"                   # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "Dac8Bit"                   # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "BusType"                   # &#91;<str>&#93;
        #Option     "CPPIOMode"                 # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "CPusecTimeout"             # [i]
        Option     "AGPMode"    "4"             # [i]
        #Option     "AGPFastWrite"              # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "AGPSize"                   # [i]
        #Option     "GARTSize"                  # [i]
        #Option     "RingSize"                  # [i]
        #Option     "BufferSize"                # [i]
        #Option     "EnableDepthMoves"          # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "EnablePageFlip"            # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "NoBackBuffer"              # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "DRIReinit"                 # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "PanelOff"                  # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "DDCMode"                   # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "MonitorLayout"             # &#91;<str>&#93;
        #Option     "IgnoreEDID"                # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "UseFBDev"    "True"        # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "VideoKey"                  # [i]
        #Option     "MergedFB"   "False"                # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "CRT2HSync"                 # &#91;<str>&#93;
        #Option     "CRT2VRefresh"              # &#91;<str>&#93;
        #Option     "CRT2Position"              # &#91;<str>&#93;
        #Option     "MetaModes"                 # &#91;<str>&#93;
        #Option     "MergedDPI"                 # &#91;<str>&#93;
        #Option     "NoMergedXinerama"          # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "MergedXineramaCRT2IsScreen0"       # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "DisplayPriority"           # &#91;<str>&#93;
        #Option     "PanelSize"                 # &#91;<str>&#93;
        #Option     "ForceMinDotClock"          # <freq>
        #Option     "RenderAccel"               # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "SubPixelOrder"             # &#91;<str>&#93;
        #Option     "ShowCache"                 # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        #Option     "DynamicClocks"             # &#91;<bool>&#93;
        Identifier  "Card0"
        Driver      "ati"
        VendorName  "ATI Technologies Inc"
        BoardName   "Radeon Mobility M6 LY"
        BusID       "PCI&#58;1&#58;0&#58;0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
        Identifier "Screen0"
        Device     "Card0"
        Monitor    "Monitor0"
        #DefaultDepth 24
        SubSection "Display"
                Viewport   0 0
                Depth     24
                #Modes "1024x768"
        EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "DRI"
        Mode    0666
EndSection

Here's my lsmod:

Code:

Module                  Size  Used by
orinoco_cs              6920  1
orinoco                39180  1 orinoco_cs
hermes                  7552  2 orinoco_cs,orinoco
snd_pcm_oss            47144  0
snd_mixer_oss          17408  1 snd_pcm_oss
snd_seq_oss            30976  0
snd_seq_midi_event      6144  1 snd_seq_oss
snd_seq                48144  4 snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi_event
snd_intel8x0           28584  0
snd_ac97_codec         67280  1 snd_intel8x0
snd_pcm                82696  2 snd_pcm_oss,snd_intel8x0
snd_timer              20996  2 snd_seq,snd_pcm
snd_page_alloc          7560  2 snd_intel8x0,snd_pcm
snd_mpu401_uart         6144  1 snd_intel8x0
snd_rawmidi            19748  1 snd_mpu401_uart
snd_seq_device          6408  3 snd_seq_oss,snd_seq,snd_rawmidi
snd                    45028  11 snd_pcm_oss,snd_mixer_oss,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq,snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm,snd_timer,snd_mpu401_uart,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq_device
radeon                124900  0
agpgart                27176  0
usbhid                 29120  0
usb_storage            26624  0
ehci_hcd               25860  0
uhci_hcd               28304  0
usbcore                99684  6 usbhid,usb_storage,ehci_hcd,uhci_hcd
8139too                21504  0
sg                     29088  0
sd_mod                 13456  0
scsi_mod               68160  3 usb_storage,sg,sd_mod

And here's some relevant kernel config options:

Code:

#
# Automatically generated make config&#58; don't edit
# Linux kernel version&#58; 2.6.9-gentoo-r9
# Mon Dec 13 23&#58;21&#58;00 2004
#
# Character devices
#
CONFIG_AGP=y
# CONFIG_AGP_ALI is not set
# CONFIG_AGP_ATI is not set
# CONFIG_AGP_AMD is not set
# CONFIG_AGP_AMD64 is not set
CONFIG_AGP_INTEL=y
CONFIG_AGP_INTEL_MCH=y
# CONFIG_AGP_NVIDIA is not set
# CONFIG_AGP_SIS is not set
# CONFIG_AGP_SWORKS is not set
# CONFIG_AGP_VIA is not set
# CONFIG_AGP_EFFICEON is not set
CONFIG_DRM=y
# CONFIG_DRM_TDFX is not set
# CONFIG_DRM_R128 is not set
CONFIG_DRM_RADEON=y
CONFIG_DRM_I810=y
CONFIG_DRM_I830=y
# CONFIG_DRM_I915 is not set
# CONFIG_DRM_MGA is not set
# CONFIG_DRM_SIS is not set

#
# I2C support
#
CONFIG_I2C=y
CONFIG_I2C_CHARDEV=y

#
# I2C Algorithms
#
CONFIG_I2C_ALGOBIT=y
# CONFIG_I2C_ALGOPCF is not set
# CONFIG_I2C_ALGOPCA is not set

#
# Graphics support
#
CONFIG_FB=y
CONFIG_FB_MODE_HELPERS=y
# CONFIG_FB_CIRRUS is not set
# CONFIG_FB_PM2 is not set
# CONFIG_FB_CYBER2000 is not set
# CONFIG_FB_ASILIANT is not set
# CONFIG_FB_IMSTT is not set
# CONFIG_FB_VGA16 is not set
CONFIG_FB_VESA=y
# CONFIG_FB_VESA_STD is not set
CONFIG_FB_VESA_TNG=y
CONFIG_FB_VESA_DEFAULT_MODE="1024x768@70"
CONFIG_VIDEO_SELECT=y
# CONFIG_FB_HGA is not set
# CONFIG_FB_RIVA is not set
# CONFIG_FB_I810 is not set
# CONFIG_FB_MATROX is not set

# CONFIG_FB_RADEON_OLD is not set
# CONFIG_FB_RADEON is not set
# CONFIG_FB_ATY128 is not set
# CONFIG_FB_ATY is not set
# CONFIG_FB_SIS is not set
# CONFIG_FB_NEOMAGIC is not set
# CONFIG_FB_KYRO is not set
# CONFIG_FB_3DFX is not set
# CONFIG_FB_VOODOO1 is not set
# CONFIG_FB_TRIDENT is not set
# CONFIG_FB_VIRTUAL is not set

#
# Console display driver support
#
CONFIG_VGA_CONSOLE=y
CONFIG_DUMMY_CONSOLE=y
CONFIG_FRAMEBUFFER_CONSOLE=y
CONFIG_FONTS=y
CONFIG_FONT_8x8=y
CONFIG_FONT_8x16=y
# CONFIG_FONT_6x11 is not set
# CONFIG_FONT_PEARL_8x8 is not set
# CONFIG_FONT_ACORN_8x8 is not set
# CONFIG_FONT_MINI_4x6 is not set
# CONFIG_FONT_SUN8x16 is not set
# CONFIG_FONT_SUN12x22 is not set

#
# Logo configuration
#
CONFIG_LOGO=y
# CONFIG_LOGO_LINUX_MONO is not set
# CONFIG_LOGO_LINUX_VGA16 is not set
CONFIG_LOGO_LINUX_CLUT224=y
CONFIG_FB_SPLASH=y

I would really appreciate any help. Thanks.

**maol9883** · 12-14-2004

That's a strange problem. By reading you config files I noticed that you've commented out default depth and modes. I'm also not sure about running dri at the same time as glx, at least it isn't on a Nvidia card. Sorry if I can't be of more help.

**loft306** · 12-14-2004

have u seen the Gentoo ATI FAQ ? http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/ati-faq.xml also see http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/xorg-config.xml
also what is the exact model of the ati gfx card is that ...or what chipset dose it have on it?
if it has r200, r250, r280 chipset's then you can use the DRI driver instead and that works better! but if u have the r300 or newer then we are pretty much stuck with the ati-drivers. ATI says that there will be a new driver within 3 months but dont bet on it ATI is a bit slow in supporting linux.

also im not seeing any

Code:

 Subsection "Display"
        Depth       8
        Modes       "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
    EndSubsection
 Subsection "Display"
        Depth       16
        Modes       "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
    EndSubsection
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth       24
        Modes       "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
    EndSubsection

sections in your xorg.conf do they exist or were they not made?
if they dont exist then i'd say either copy this in below the section "screen" but b4 the EndSection line,or run

Code:

xorgconfig

which is the semi automated xorg.conf configurator.or i just use the ati configurator then change its file name from xf86config-4 to xorg.conf

**Mord** · 12-14-2004

Originally Posted by maol9883

That's a strange problem. By reading you config files I noticed that you've commented out default depth and modes. I'm also not sure about running dri at the same time as glx, at least it isn't on a Nvidia card. Sorry if I can't be of more help.

The Xorg.0.log shows that X correctly chooses the laptop's native 1024x768 @ 24bpp when it tries to start. The current incarnation of my xorg.conf has the defaults commented out, though I normally have them in there. I'll check into the dri vs glx thing tonight.

loft306:
I'll take a look through that FAQ tonight after work. I've followed the Gentoo installation guide for ATI cards, as well as read the Gentoo ATI-HOWTO Wiki page. I have read the xorg-config page you linked.

I have editted the "Display" section of my xorg.conf a bit. I will try using the sections you posted tonight. Note that I'm not using the ati-drivers at the moment and I don't think I ever should have tried installing them. This laptop is two years old and I believe the open source radeon or ati driver is sufficient. As I mentioned, I _DID_ have everything working great at one point, I think all my trouble started when I tried "emerge ati-drivers" (which reinstalls xorg-x11 by the way).

I will try the rest of what you said tonight and post back. Thanks for the suggestions all.

**Mord** · 12-14-2004

I was looking at the "ati-drivers" ebuild file, and was shocked to see what I thought was kernel patches. Can someone confirm this? If this is true, I'm probably going to have to download fresh sources and recompile.....

By the way, the reason I was looking at the ebuild is that I was going to try and ensure that all traces of me ever having installed the "ati-drivers" package was totally removed. I really suspect that installing this clobbered something or other and is preventing me from properly starting X again.

**UgoDeschamps** · 12-14-2004

I would be REALLY surprise if the ati, so called driver, "patche" the actual kernel... but since you've made a dought in my mind, I'll make some search.. if you do get an "official" answer, can you post please

**Mord** · 12-15-2004

Have a look at an ebuild script for the ati-drivers package, like the one at /usr/portage/media-video/ati-drivers/ati-drivers-3.14.6.ebuild. There's at least one "epatch" command in there but I'm not quite sure what its significance is.

**Mord** · 12-15-2004

I've tried everything suggested so far with no success. Is anyone else having similar problems?

**lordnothing** · 12-15-2004

epatch is used to apply patches to the program being installed, not the kernel sources..

**UgoDeschamps** · 12-15-2004

aaa thanks LordNothing... this post really has me wondering about the legality of patching a kernel throu a device driver

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