SOLVED: upgrade question: intel graphics

[heinkel_111]

I initially put off upgrading my Kubuntu installations to 9.04 because I was moving across the Atlantic and could not afford the time to fight any computer problems right when the move was taking place. Then I read that Kubuntu 9.04 caused problems with Intel graphics on laptops, and after that I stopped watching the subject all together for a long while. (Release failing to make the bar on the one open source graphics driver? No good...)

Some time has passed sinve I read this and I wonder what the status is now?
The primary machine I am planning to upgrade is my laptop (toshiba satellite u405-s2826) and as stated it has intel graphics and an encrypted HD (buntu standard encryption solution since 8.04 or 7.10 release, I cannot remember which). I have not made major research into the subject but it appears that on this machine I do require X to start (not able to select console login) and sometimes it does not (likely a PSU failing to supply enough juice to GPU starting up & modechanging), in which case the only option seems to be reboot. I have tried multiple ways to drop out of X into a console to remedy the problems but had no success.

In consequence, if the 9.04 installation causes intel grpahics to fail, my computer may be more or less doomed and require downgrading, which could be difficult due to the harddisk encryption.....so in that case I will just leave it as it is.

So, having said all that, what is current user experience with kubuntu 9.04 and intel graphics?

[Snowhog]

Re: upgrade question: intel graphics

I have a Toshiba Satellite P105-S6147 running:

Card Intel Mobile 945GM/GMS 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller X.Org 1.6.3 Res: 1440x900@59.9hz
GLX Renderer Mesa DRI Intel 945GM GEM 20090712 2009Q2 RC3 x86/MMX/SSE2 GLX Version 1.4 Mesa 7.5.1

I have Ubuntu Jaunty Jackalope installed as one of my three OS's. It runs without any problems with my Intel graphics card. I am not running JJ in Kubuntu, so I can't comment. I'm also running sidux Πόντος (w/KDE 4.3.00) with desktop effects enabled, and also have no problems.

That's my experience, and does not imply that yours would be the same.

[ukchucktown]

Re: upgrade question: intel graphics

My experience is also positive. I do observe a lockup of X input (keyboard and mouse) on occasion but very rarely. I run a Lenovo T61 with Intel 965, Kubuntu 9.04, KDE 4.3, 2.6.30 kernel and latest Intel drivers.

[GreyGeek]

Re: upgrade question: intel graphics

Run the Kubuntu 9.10 Karmic Alpha4 as a LiveCD (md5 checked and burned at 10X or less).

If you get graphics then test it by running Stellarium (you can "install" it from the LiveCD: sudo apt-get install stellarium). IF Stellarium runs it will show the Frames Per Second (FPS) in the tool bar at the bottom. If it doesn't run then your display is running VESA.

Note: glxgears is not a good measure of graphics capability. However
glxinfo | grep render
will show you if you are rendering in 3D or not. If you are you will get a message like this:

jerry@jerry-sonylaptop:~$ glxinfo | grep render
direct rendering: Yes
OpenGL renderer string: Mesa DRI Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset GEM 20090326 2009Q1 RC2 x86/MMX/SSE2

[heinkel_111]

Re: upgrade question: intel graphics

My experience is also positive. I do observe a lockup of X input (keyboard and mouse) on occasion but very rarely. I run a Lenovo T61 with Intel 965, Kubuntu 9.04, KDE 4.3, 2.6.30 kernel and latest Intel drivers.

I notice that you have the precise same gpu as I do so in that case I guess I can give it a go.

Thanks for all the contributions!

GreyGeek: mine says

myuser@mymachine:~$ glxinfo | grep render
direct rendering: Yes
OpenGL renderer string: Mesa DRI Intel(R) 965GM 20061102