Ubuntu boots up in a black screen

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko]

Hello,

I'm using Dell XPS 15z laptop with kubuntu 12.10 beta 1 and kernel 3.5.0-13 amd64 (additional kernel flags: acpi=noirq). The problem is that ubuntu with this kernel boots up in a black screen: it looks like monitor gots powered off.

After several reboots I'm able too start ubuntu normally. I mean that bug happens frequently but not every time.

There's a small remark about kernel options. When booting with:
1. acpi=off - every single boot succeeds (but it's not worth to use this mode)
2. acpi=noirq - not every boot succeeds
3. <no acpi options> - every boot freezes

But everyting's ok with mainline (3.5.3) kernel from here: http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.5.3-quantal/

But the bug is relevant for 3.6.{0,1,2} kernels from the same source.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.10
Package: linux-image-3.5.0-14-generic 3.5.0-14.15
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.5.0-14.15-generic 3.5.3
Uname: Linux 3.5.0-14-generic x86_64
AcpiTables: Error: command ['pkexec', '/usr/share/apport/dump_acpi_tables.py'] failed with exit code 127: Error executing /usr/share/apport/dump_acpi_tables.py: Permission denied
ApportVersion: 2.5.1-0ubuntu7
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC0: elvenfighter 1913 F.... pulseaudio
CRDA:
 country TW:
  (2402 - 2472 @ 40), (3, 27)
  (5270 - 5330 @ 40), (3, 17), DFS
  (5735 - 5815 @ 40), (3, 30)
Date: Sun Sep 9 10:28:33 2012
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=8fccd069-699f-41c0-9f34-7d61aa3a4530
InstallationMedia: Kubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Alpha amd64 (20120905)
MachineType: Dell Inc. Dell System XPS 15Z
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=ru_UA:ru
 TERM=xterm
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=ru_UA.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcFB:
 0 nouveaufb
 1 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.5.0-14-generic root=UUID=d6a2cdd3-8fd8-46c4-a9b3-209f751a68f5 ro acpi=noirq quiet splash vt.handoff=7
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.5.0-14-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.5.0-14-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.91
SourcePackage: linux
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 02/20/2012
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.bios.version: A10
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.chassis.type: 8
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Inc.
dmi.chassis.version: 0.1
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellInc.:bvrA10:bd02/20/2012:svnDellInc.:pnDellSystemXPS15Z:pvr:rvnDellInc.:rn:rvr:cvnDellInc.:ct8:cvr0.1:
dmi.product.name: Dell System XPS 15Z
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Inc.

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

This issue will be resolved when the updates from 3.5.3 are pulled in for Quantal.

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko (kyrboh)]

Still there in 3.5.0-17.

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko (kyrboh)]

The same issue with mainline 3.6.0, 3.6.1 (ubuntu) kernels. I'll try vanilla ones and bisect.

Also no luck with 3.5.0-17~kamal from Sputnik Kernel PPA: https://launchpad.net/~canonical-hwe-team/+archive/sputnik-kernel

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Kirill Bogdanenko, thank you for reporting this and helping make Ubuntu better. Could you please provide the information following https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebuggingKernelBoot ?

As well, regarding your Bug Description:
>"additional kernel flags: acpi=noirq"

Why are you using this kernel parameter?

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko (kyrboh)]

> As well, regarding your Bug Description:
> >"additional kernel flags: acpi=noirq"
>
> Why are you using this kernel parameter?

x86_64 kernels won't be able to boot on my machine without the parameter.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport/Machines/Laptops/Dell/XPS/15z

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko (kyrboh)]

See photo in attachment for boot log when failed to boot.

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko (kyrboh)]

And here's boot log on success.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

As per http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/xps-15z a newer BIOS (A11) is available. Any change on the black screen problem if you upgrade to this?

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko (kyrboh)]

Still no luck with A11 BIOS.

[Søren Gellert (soerengellert)]

FWIW it my 15z works with kernels up to and including 3.5.0-10

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Søren Gellert, if you have a bug in Ubuntu, could you please file a new report by executing the following in a terminal:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please see the Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad article:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue

and Ubuntu Community article:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Please note, failure to file a new report may cause your problem to be missed, and not be addressed with a fix for this bug report.

Thank you for your understanding.

[Søren Gellert (soerengellert)]

Christopher, I am not sure I understand. I´m suffering from the same bug as this one, so I don´t see the point in filing a new bug report. I was just saying that this bug appeared after kernel version 3.5.0-10

[Alex Zelter (azelter)]

Just upgraded to Dell's new A12 bios (http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/xps-15z). The issue seems to be fixed as a result.

[Flynsarmy (flynsarmy)]

Can't seem to dl A12. Missing on the Dell website as of the time of writing http://i.imgur.com/uQG7g.jpg Tried in FF and chrome. I left a message in their feedback form. Hopefully it'll get fixed soon.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Kirill Bogdanenko, as per http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/Product/xps-15z a newer BIOS (A12) is available. Any change on the black screen problem if you upgrade to this?

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko (kyrboh)]

A12 BIOS is not available for downloading at the moment. See flynsarmy comment.

Will try and respond here when the download is available.

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko (kyrboh)]

There's something broken on Dell's site.
Here's forum topic: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/4677/p/19473122/20215297.aspx#20215297
Here's direct link for downloading BIOS: http://downloads-us.dell.com/FOLDER00932248M/1/

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko (kyrboh)]

Still issue with A12 BIOS.

[Flynsarmy (flynsarmy)]

Thanks Kirill. A11 fixed all failed boots for me and A12 seems to be working perfectly too while I have acpi=noirq in GRUB. Good stuff.

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko (kyrboh)]

flynsarmy,

So you're saying that you are not experiencing the same issue with A11 or A12 BIOS on your Dell XPS 15z (with acpi=noirq)?

Can you perform 3 to 5 consecutive reboots and confirm that?

[Søren Gellert (soerengellert)]

I have had no luck with A12 BIOS update as well.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Kirill Bogdanenko, please do not solicit Flynsarmy or others to comment on this report. For more on this, please see the Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad article:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue

and Ubuntu Community article:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

Søren Gellert, please see https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1048141/comments/12 .

[Alex Zelter (azelter)]

OK - A12 was working until last night (11/2/12). Now I have the blank screen issue again :-(

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Alex Zelter, if you have a bug in Ubuntu, could you please file a new report by executing the following in a terminal:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please see the Ubuntu Bug Control and Ubuntu Bug Squad article:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue

and Ubuntu Community article:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Please note, not filing a new report may delay your problem being addressed as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.

[Alex Zelter (azelter)]

Seems to work again for now with the latest kernel (3.5.0-18-generic #29-Ubuntu) and BIOS A12.
Christopher Penalver - I'm not sure how I would have run any commands in a terminal as the bug in question prevents my computer booting.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Alex Zelter, if you are unable to file a report via a terminal, you may do so via https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+filebug .

Once done, feel free to subscribe me to it and we can take it from there.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

[Alex Zelter (azelter)]

OK - I take my previous comment back - it is not able to work consistently. I would be happy to submit a bug, except that the computer appears not to boot (caps lock does not work). I can currently only run the computer using kernel 3.2.0-29-generic #46-Ubuntu SMP.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Alex Zelter, you may file a bug report on any computer, or in your current Ubuntu install using kernel 3.2.0-29-generic #46-Ubuntu SMP. via the website https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+filebug .

If you have any further questions, please e-mail me directly instead of posting further into this report.

Thank you for your understanding.

[Tore Bergebakken (toreb)]

The same trouble with the 3.2.0-33 kernel. Everything was fine in 12.04 before today's update. Now I'm REALLY angry at myself for not buying a stationary computer from System 76...

[Tore Bergebakken (toreb)]

Today booting with the 3.2.0-33 kernel works fine.

[Tore Bergebakken (toreb)]

Well, today I've experienced booting trouble again. When i changed "acpi=noirq" to "acpi=off", it boots, but I can't see the battery state.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Tore Bergebakken, if you have a bug in Ubuntu, could you please file a new report by executing the following in a terminal:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please see the Ubuntu Kernel team article:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports

the Ubuntu Bug Control team and Ubuntu Bug Squad team article:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue

and Ubuntu Community article:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Please note, not filing a new report may delay your problem being addressed as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.

[Søren Gellert (soerengellert)]

acpi_backlight=vendor dell_laptop.backlight=0

[Adam Bruce (brucey-99-deactivatedaccount)]

Thanks Søren Gellert! This is a workaround for the 3.5.0 kernel. So the problem is definately the backlight.

Kirill Bogdanenko mentions the problem comes back in the 3.6.x series. Can anyone else confirm this?

Currently I can't access http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/ - it seems to fail to load, but I will test as soon as I can access it

[Adam Bruce (brucey-99-deactivatedaccount)]

I have tested the 3.6.7-030607-generic kernel and the black screen issue does not appear for me.

[Walt Corey (commwrc)]

I had this problem with 12.04 on my laptop. After accepting an upgrade I could no longer boot back in. I agree that acpi=off works solidly but, from everything I've read, bad stuff can result. One thing I've noticed myself as well as listening to others is you need to reboot several times to be confident the issue is fixed. I followed one poster's advice and removed ro, it worked once, not twice. I updated my rom to v12, it also worked once, not twice. So there is a 'common' fix applied to both 12.04 and 12.10 that introduced this.

[Antoine Apollis (apollisa)]

I was also experiencing the bug, but Søren Gellert seems to have the solution. Thank you!
(Except that with those kernel options, the display becomes black when the luminosity is downed to 0. Without those options, luminosity was locked above 0, and the screen couldn’t became completely black. Is this a bug?)

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Walt Corey / Antoine Apollis, if you have a bug in Ubuntu, could you please file a new report by executing the following in a terminal:
ubuntu-bug linux

For more on this, please see the Ubuntu Kernel team article:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/KernelTeamBugPolicies#Filing_Kernel_Bug_reports

the Ubuntu Bug Control team and Ubuntu Bug Squad team article:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/BestPractices#X.2BAC8-Reporting.Focus_on_One_Issue

and Ubuntu Community article:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ReportingBugs#Bug_reporting_etiquette

When opening up the new report, please feel free to subscribe me to it.

Please note, not filing a new report may delay your problem being addressed as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your understanding.

[Kyrylo Bohdanenko (kyrboh)]

Søren Gellert,

Thanks, adding 'acpi_backlight=vendor dell_laptop.backlight=0' to kernel command line worked flawlessly for kernel 3.6.3.

[Tore Bergebakken (toreb)]

Thanks, Søren Gellert, now everything works fine!

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Kirill Bogdanenko, could you please confirm this issue exists with the latest development release of Ubuntu? ISO CD images are available from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/ . If the issue remains, could you please run the following command in the development release from a Terminal (Applications->Accessories->Terminal), as it will automatically gather and attach updated debug information to this report:

apport-collect -p linux <replace-with-bug-number>

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for linux (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]