Annoying Screen Flickering with Intel GM45 Chipset

[PJK]

Hack n Slash mode, LOL. Yeah no worries, I've got my desktop upstairs and mobile as well so I can view the forum. Anyway, ran the command, gonna reboot now.

EDIT: Rebooted, got GUI normally (flicker included), previously I removed nomodeset and did update-grub, however I verified after I removed VESA drivers and it was in fact gone.

apt-cache policy returned:

xserver-common:
  Installed: 2:1.12.1+git20120502+server-1.12-branch.ed33772a-0ubuntu0ricotz~precise
  Candidate: 2:1.12.1+git20120502+server-1.12-branch.ed33772a-0ubuntu0ricotz~precise
  Version table:
 *** 2:1.12.1+git20120502+server-1.12-branch.ed33772a-0ubuntu0ricotz~precise 0
        500 http://ppa.launchpad.net/xorg-edgers/ppa/ubuntu/ precise/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.1 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main amd64 Packages
     2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main amd64 Packages
xserver-xorg-core:
  Installed: 2:1.12.1+git20120502+server-1.12-branch.ed33772a-0ubuntu0ricotz~precise
  Candidate: 2:1.12.1+git20120502+server-1.12-branch.ed33772a-0ubuntu0ricotz~precise
  Version table:
 *** 2:1.12.1+git20120502+server-1.12-branch.ed33772a-0ubuntu0ricotz~precise 0
        500 http://ppa.launchpad.net/xorg-edgers/ppa/ubuntu/ precise/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10.1 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise-updates/main amd64 Packages
     2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main amd64 Packages
xserver-xorg-video-intel:
  Installed: 2:2.19.0+git20120501.7e09babb-0ubuntu0sarvatt~precise
  Candidate: 2:2.19.0+git20120501.7e09babb-0ubuntu0sarvatt~precise
  Version table:
 *** 2:2.19.0+git20120501.7e09babb-0ubuntu0sarvatt~precise 0
        500 http://ppa.launchpad.net/xorg-edgers/ppa/ubuntu/ precise/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
     2:2.17.0-1ubuntu4 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ precise/main amd64 Packages

Also, attached is the present Xorg.0.log. Notice the 45.2 Kb file size change. Xorg.0.txt

[SteveRiley]

Don't need to see the apt-cache policy anymore.

Latest Xorg.0.log shows the Intel driver loaded and also it appears that you're back to 1280x800. I have only one suggestion left: what if you put "nomodeset" back now?

[PJK]

Tried "i915.powersave=0", no results. Then I changed that to "nomodeset", X doesn't seem to load now. KDM service is in fact running, and all I got is a tty1 console.

[SteveRiley]

I'd actually be interested in seeing the Xorg.0.log now, as I suspect it might have some errors, but if you're sick of working on this, I'd understand.

Otherwise, I'm out of ideas. My apologies. All this time and no resolution.

[PJK]

**** I already vi'd that line out. Yeah I'll get you that log. Gimme 5.

[PJK]

Xorg.0.log:

[    30.185] 
X.Org X Server 1.12.1
Release Date: 2012-04-13
[    30.185] X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
[    30.185] Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.24-29-xen x86_64 Ubuntu
[    30.185] Current Operating System: Linux Latitude 3.2.0-24-generic #37-Ubuntu SMP Wed Apr 25 08:43:22 UTC 2012 x86_64
[    30.185] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-24-generic root=UUID=631fb253-073e-424e-ad3e-959795cf45fe ro nomodeset quiet splash vt.handoff=7
[    30.185] Build Date: 02 May 2012  02:56:39PM
[    30.185] xorg-server 2:1.12.1+git20120502+server-1.12-branch.ed33772a-0ubuntu0ricotz~precise (For technical support please see http://www.ubuntu.com/support) 
[    30.185] Current version of pixman: 0.25.2
[    30.185] 	Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
	to make sure that you have the latest version.
[    30.185] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
	(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
	(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[    30.185] (==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Wed May  2 21:34:00 2012
[    30.185] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[    30.185] (==) No Layout section.  Using the first Screen section.
[    30.185] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
[    30.185] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
[    30.185] (**) |   |-->Monitor "<default monitor>"
[    30.186] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
	Using a default monitor configuration.
[    30.186] (==) Automatically adding devices
[    30.186] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[    30.186] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
[    30.186] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    30.186] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/" does not exist.
[    30.186] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    30.186] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/" does not exist.
[    30.186] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    30.186] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi" does not exist.
[    30.186] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    30.186] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi" does not exist.
[    30.186] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    30.186] (WW) The directory "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType" does not exist.
[    30.186] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    30.186] (==) FontPath set to:
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1,
	built-ins
[    30.186] (==) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/xorg/extra-modules,/usr/lib/xorg/extra-modules,/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
[    30.186] (II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
	If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
[    30.186] (II) Loader magic: 0x7f7a4bc0eae0
[    30.186] (II) Module ABI versions:
[    30.186] 	X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[    30.186] 	X.Org Video Driver: 12.0
[    30.186] 	X.Org XInput driver : 16.0
[    30.186] 	X.Org Server Extension : 6.0
[    30.187] (--) PCI:*(0:0:2:0) 8086:2a42:1028:0263 rev 7, Mem @ 0xf6c00000/4194304, 0xe0000000/268435456, I/O @ 0x0000efe8/8
[    30.187] (--) PCI: (0:0:2:1) 8086:2a43:1028:0263 rev 7, Mem @ 0xf6b00000/1048576
[    30.187] (II) Open ACPI successful (/var/run/acpid.socket)
[    30.187] (II) LoadModule: "extmod"
[    30.187] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libextmod.so
[    30.187] (II) Module extmod: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    30.187] 	compiled for 1.12.1, module version = 1.0.0
[    30.187] 	Module class: X.Org Server Extension
[    30.187] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[    30.187] (II) Loading extension MIT-SCREEN-SAVER
[    30.187] (II) Loading extension XFree86-VidModeExtension
[    30.187] (II) Loading extension XFree86-DGA
[    30.187] (II) Loading extension DPMS
[    30.187] (II) Loading extension XVideo
[    30.187] (II) Loading extension XVideo-MotionCompensation
[    30.187] (II) Loading extension X-Resource
[    30.187] (II) LoadModule: "dbe"
[    30.188] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdbe.so
[    30.188] (II) Module dbe: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    30.188] 	compiled for 1.12.1, module version = 1.0.0
[    30.188] 	Module class: X.Org Server Extension
[    30.188] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[    30.188] (II) Loading extension DOUBLE-BUFFER
[    30.188] (II) LoadModule: "glx"
[    30.188] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so
[    30.188] (II) Module glx: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    30.188] 	compiled for 1.12.1, module version = 1.0.0
[    30.188] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[    30.188] (==) AIGLX enabled
[    30.188] (II) Loading extension GLX
[    30.188] (II) LoadModule: "record"
[    30.188] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/librecord.so
[    30.188] (II) Module record: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    30.188] 	compiled for 1.12.1, module version = 1.13.0
[    30.188] 	Module class: X.Org Server Extension
[    30.188] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[    30.188] (II) Loading extension RECORD
[    30.188] (II) LoadModule: "dri"
[    30.188] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdri.so
[    30.188] (II) Module dri: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    30.188] 	compiled for 1.12.1, module version = 1.0.0
[    30.188] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[    30.188] (II) Loading extension XFree86-DRI
[    30.188] (II) LoadModule: "dri2"
[    30.188] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdri2.so
[    30.189] (II) Module dri2: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    30.189] 	compiled for 1.12.1, module version = 1.2.0
[    30.189] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 6.0
[    30.189] (II) Loading extension DRI2
[    30.189] (==) Matched intel as autoconfigured driver 0
[    30.189] (==) Matched vesa as autoconfigured driver 1
[    30.189] (==) Matched fbdev as autoconfigured driver 2
[    30.189] (==) Assigned the driver to the xf86ConfigLayout
[    30.189] (II) LoadModule: "intel"
[    30.189] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/intel_drv.so
[    30.189] (II) Module intel: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    30.189] 	compiled for 1.12.1, module version = 2.19.0
[    30.189] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[    30.189] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 12.0
[    30.189] (II) LoadModule: "vesa"
[    30.189] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module vesa
[    30.189] (II) UnloadModule: "vesa"
[    30.189] (II) Unloading vesa
[    30.189] (EE) Failed to load module "vesa" (module does not exist, 0)
[    30.189] (II) LoadModule: "fbdev"
[    30.190] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module fbdev
[    30.190] (II) UnloadModule: "fbdev"
[    30.190] (II) Unloading fbdev
[    30.190] (EE) Failed to load module "fbdev" (module does not exist, 0)
[    30.190] (==) Matched intel as autoconfigured driver 0
[    30.190] (==) Matched vesa as autoconfigured driver 1
[    30.190] (==) Matched fbdev as autoconfigured driver 2
[    30.190] (==) Assigned the driver to the xf86ConfigLayout
[    30.190] (II) LoadModule: "intel"
[    30.190] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/intel_drv.so
[    30.190] (II) Module intel: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    30.190] 	compiled for 1.12.1, module version = 2.19.0
[    30.190] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[    30.190] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 12.0
[    30.190] (II) UnloadModule: "intel"
[    30.190] (II) Unloading intel
[    30.190] (II) Failed to load module "intel" (already loaded, 32634)
[    30.190] (II) LoadModule: "vesa"
[    30.190] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module vesa
[    30.190] (II) UnloadModule: "vesa"
[    30.190] (II) Unloading vesa
[    30.190] (EE) Failed to load module "vesa" (module does not exist, 0)
[    30.190] (II) LoadModule: "fbdev"
[    30.191] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module fbdev
[    30.191] (II) UnloadModule: "fbdev"
[    30.191] (II) Unloading fbdev
[    30.191] (EE) Failed to load module "fbdev" (module does not exist, 0)
[    30.191] (II) intel: Driver for Intel Integrated Graphics Chipsets: i810,
	i810-dc100, i810e, i815, i830M, 845G, 854, 852GM/855GM, 865G, 915G,
	E7221 (i915), 915GM, 945G, 945GM, 945GME, Pineview GM, Pineview G,
	965G, G35, 965Q, 946GZ, 965GM, 965GME/GLE, G33, Q35, Q33, GM45,
	4 Series, G45/G43, Q45/Q43, G41, B43, B43, Clarkdale, Arrandale,
	Sandybridge Desktop (GT1), Sandybridge Desktop (GT2),
	Sandybridge Desktop (GT2+), Sandybridge Mobile (GT1),
	Sandybridge Mobile (GT2), Sandybridge Mobile (GT2+),
	Sandybridge Server, Ivybridge Mobile (GT1), Ivybridge Mobile (GT2),
	Ivybridge Desktop (GT1), Ivybridge Desktop (GT2), Ivybridge Server,
	Ivybridge Server (GT2)
[    30.191] (++) using VT number 7

[    30.195] (EE) No devices detected.
[    30.195] 
Fatal server error:
[    30.195] no screens found
[    30.195] 
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support 
	 at http://wiki.x.org
 for help. 
[    30.195] Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.
[    30.195]

[Mr_Bumpy]

PJK, are you simply modifying the boot line from the grub menu on boot, or are you editing /etc/default/grub and running update-grub each time you want to change a boot option? Something about the way you have described your process so far has made me wonder if you are doing the latter.

[PJK]

The latter, reason being is so that I could reboot with the grub changes remaining in-tact as I test other things.

[SteveRiley]

I have just learned (Googe-fu led me to a Gentoo forums post) that Intel drivers have required modesetting for some time now and don't work without it. That's why X is bombing out with "(EE) No devices detected," when clearly the device exists (look at timestamp 30.187 in the log).

Remember when "nomodeset" was working for you? Well, when you used that, the Intel drivers indeed failed to load and your system fell back to the VESA driver. When we disabled the VESA and framebuffer drivers, we left nothing for failover, and therefore you got dumped to a console.

Alas, I don't know where to go from here. I've asked you to do a lot of work and nothing has helped. Perhaps filing a bug might get someone's attention.

[PJK]

Yeah but was I using Intel drivers without "nomodeset"?

[PJK]

Hey Steve, I have no problem doing the work, I consider a learning experience. But judging from my askubuntu question, it seems as if I am not the only one with the problem. The question got rated up twice already, and this seems like a very rare bug.

[SteveRiley]

Yeah but was I using Intel drivers without "nomodeset"?

I'll admit we've tried so many iterations that perhaps I've overlooked a step but...

* When you had "nomodeset" specified, your computer was falling back to the VESA driver. We saw that in the first Xorg log you posted. I would have realized this immediately if I had known that the Intel drivers require modesetting now.

* When you removed the VESA driver, you had already removed "nomodeset," so the Intel driver was loading again.

* When you put "nomodeset" back, but hadn't yet re-installed the VESA drivers, X was failing to load.

Think I got that right...

[PJK]

I'll admit we've tried so many iterations that perhaps I've overlooked a step but...

* When you had "nomodeset" specified, your computer was falling back to the VESA driver. We saw that in the first Xorg log you posted. I would have realized this immediately if I had known that the Intel drivers require modesetting now.

* When you removed the VESA driver, you had already removed "nomodeset," so the Intel driver was loading again.

* When you put "nomodeset" back, but hadn't yet re-installed the VESA drivers, X was failing to load.

Think I got that right...

Precisely. Which gives us another clue, if the VESA driver with "nomodeset" didn't reproduce the flicker, does this mean it's the Intel drivers at fault?

[Mr_Bumpy]

It's most likely either the Intel drivers or the kernel mode setting (KMS) code in the kernel that is causing the problem. You may want to try reporting the bug on the kernel bug tracker. I did this a year ago with a font corruption bug that was affecting my laptop, and it has recently been fixed (see the bug report here). Of course, if it isn't a kernel issue then they may redirect you to report the bug elsewhere (does anybody know where to report Intel driver bugs?).

[Mr_Bumpy]

Actually, now that I think about it, perhaps it would be best to submit an Ubuntu bug to Launchpad first.