Gutsy: Display is washed out, too bright. No adjustment will correct for over bright display

[rjwellsted]

Following an upgrade from Feisty on Kubuntu, the display now appears too washed out such that "greyed-out" text is invisible in most colour schemes (the text in this window is only just visible!). No amount of adjustment of the monitor controls will bring the display back to it's former state under Feisty. Altering the gamma setting in /etc/X11/x.org.conf or via xgamma to a value of about 0.4 - 0.5 will improve matters slightly but this was not required in previous releases.

I installed the "ubuntu-desktop" meta package and got the same results under GDM/Gnome desktop.

Hardware is a Asus Pundit-R with onboard ATI Radeon 9100 IGP

x.org driver is "ati"

[Raffaele-sandrini (raffaele-sandrini)]

Created an attachment (id=640)
My log file recorded during a nomrmal Xorg session

[Raffaele-sandrini (raffaele-sandrini)]

I'd like too add that we can exclude a hardware problem:
1. The monitors have the same configuration.
2. Switching of the monitors does not switch the problem.
3. This problem does not occur with fglrx and Catalyst (WinXP).

Since i can't send you screenshots of "how bad it is", i'll try to explain with
some examples:
- programms using a gtk splitter (e.g yelp): this is a widget in slight grey (in
Nuvola). Its completly invisible on the bad screen
- Gnome splashscreen is compleetly white except of the version numbers.
- All slight greys are white. e.g the background of a Menu/ToolBar.

Its also not possible to correct that through the monitor. I can add as much
contrast as possible, it does not change the quality of the picture.

[agd5f (agd5f)]

Can you try with the radeon driver from xorg cvs? I think this bug was fixed
ages ago. Please re-open if the problem still exists.

[Raffaele-sandrini (raffaele-sandrini)]

Hi Alex

It tries it with CVS at the time of my first posting.

I've upgraded my system one month ago and switched the radeon with a nvidia card
so i'm unable to retest this with current CVS.

[Sylvain Pasche (sylvain-pasche)]

I am experiencing this same problem with a Radeon X300 (PCIE).

I am using the xorg from Ubuntu Dapper (the log says Build Date: 16 March 2006).

Should I try with a more recent CVS version?

I can attach Xorg log file if helpful.

[Michel-tungstengraphics (michel-tungstengraphics)]

(In reply to comment #5)
> Should I try with a more recent CVS version?

Yes, it would be great if you could try xf86-video-ati git.

> I can attach Xorg log file if helpful.

Please do.

[Sylvain Pasche (sylvain-pasche)]

Created an attachment (id=6730)
Logfile with xf86-video-ati 6.6.2

So I tried compiling the driver from xf86-video-ati git.

Unfortunately, the problem is still there. I also tried to use the
nopanel_display or crt_display parameter, but there's not impact.

Do you know of something else I could try, or what I could do to help?

Thanks

[Michel-tungstengraphics (michel-tungstengraphics)]

*** Bug 8245 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

[Daniel Stone (daniels)]

Sorry about the phenomenal bug spam, guys. Adding xorg-team@ to the QA contact so bugs don't get lost in future.

[Alengarbage (alengarbage)]

Just to confirm, I'm also experiencing the washed-out colors from DVI monitor, using xserver-xorg 1:7.1.1ubuntu6 and xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.6.2-0ubuntu4 with a RV370 5B60 [Radeon X300 (PCIE)].

If more server output or bugfix testing is needed, I can provide those.

[Alengarbage (alengarbage)]

I found a DVI-capable LCD to hook up to the DVI port, and with it, the color is not washed out. I did notice, however, that I had to reboot in order to switch from a VGA-with-DVI2VGA adapter to the DVI monitor, and then again to go back (a restart of xorg was not enough -- the OS didn't seem capable of sending a valid signal to the other type of monitor once it had booted with another).

Would it help if I attached xorg/system logs from both types of monitors on the DVI port?

[Alengarbage (alengarbage)]

just a note: xgamma doesn't seem to help here, either; turning it down to a level sufficient to bring back washed out colors also pixelates the display unacceptably.

[agd5f (agd5f)]

*** Bug 2160 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

[rjwellsted (ron-wellsted)]

Following an upgrade from Feisty on Kubuntu, the display now appears too washed out such that "greyed-out" text is invisible in most colour schemes (the text in this window is only just visible!). No amount of adjustment of the monitor controls will bring the display back to it's former state under Feisty. Altering the gamma setting in /etc/X11/x.org.conf or via xgamma to a value of about 0.4 - 0.5 will improve matters slightly but this was not required in previous releases.

I installed the "ubuntu-desktop" meta package and got the same results under GDM/Gnome desktop.

Hardware is a Asus Pundit-R with onboard ATI Radeon 9100 IGP

x.org driver is "ati"

[Bryan Cebuliak (bryan-cebuliak-gmail)]

I can confirm this bug also following a recent network upgrade from Feisty to Gutsy. Moreover, the auto adjust button on my Polyview V293 LCD adjusts nicely then is immediately over ridden.
my lspci :
lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon 9100 IGP Host Bridge (rev 02)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon 9100 IGP AGP Bridge
00:13.0 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc OHCI USB Controller #1 (rev 01)
00:13.1 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc OHCI USB Controller #2 (rev 01)
00:13.2 USB Controller: ATI Technologies Inc EHCI USB Controller (rev 01)
00:14.0 SMBus: ATI Technologies Inc ATI SMBus (rev 17)
00:14.1 IDE interface: ATI Technologies Inc ATI Dual Channel Bus Master PCI IDE Controller
00:14.3 ISA bridge: ATI Technologies Inc Unknown device 434c
00:14.4 PCI bridge: ATI Technologies Inc Unknown device 4342
00:14.5 Multimedia audio controller: ATI Technologies Inc IXP150 AC'97 Audio Controller
01:05.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon 9100 IGP
02:05.0 RAID bus controller: Silicon Image, Inc. SiI 3512 [SATALink/SATARaid] Serial ATA Controller (rev 01)
02:06.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation BCM4401 100Base-T (rev 01)
02:0b.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): VIA Technologies, Inc. IEEE 1394 Host Controller (rev 80)

my xorg.conf:
# xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
 Driver "kbd"
 Option "CoreKeyboard"
 Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
 Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
 Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Identifier "Configured Mouse"
 Driver "mouse"
 Option "CorePointer"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
 Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
 Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
 Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Driver "wacom"
 Identifier "stylus"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
 Option "Type" "stylus"
 Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Driver "wacom"
 Identifier "eraser"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
 Option "Type" "eraser"
 Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
 Driver "wacom"
 Identifier "cursor"
 Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
 Option "Type" "cursor"
 Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Device"
 Identifier "ATI Technologies Inc Radeon 9100 IGP"
 Driver "ati"
 BusID "PCI:1:5:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
 Identifier "CMC 19 AD"
 Option "DPMS"
 HorizSync 30-82
 VertRefresh 56-76
EndSection

Section "Screen"
 Identifier "Default Screen"
 Device "ATI ...

[Bryan Cebuliak (bryan-cebuliak-gmail)]

Note the Gutsy xorg packages used:
Package xserver-xorg-core
   * gutsy (x11): X.Org X server -- core server
     2:1.3.0.0.dfsg-12ubuntu8: amd64 i386 powerpc
Package xserver-xorg-video-ati
   * gutsy (x11): X.Org X server -- ATI display driver
     1:6.7.195-1ubuntu2: amd64 i386 powerpc

Compared to Feisty packages:
Package xserver-xorg-core
   * feisty (x11): X.Org X server -- core server
     2:1.2.0-3ubuntu8: amd64 i386 powerpc
Package xserver-xorg-video-ati
   * feisty (x11): X.Org X server -- ATI display driver
     1:6.6.3-2ubuntu6: amd64 i386 powerpc

Using the gutsy VESA driver fixes the washout problem at the cost of
poorer resolution.
The same system has no problem running current Debian Sid with
xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.6.6.193-3 and xserver-xcore 2:1.4-3.

[Bryan Cebuliak (bryan-cebuliak-gmail)]

I note that the 1:6.7.195-1ubuntu2 is from Debian experimental [ !?] which has been updated since due to this bug which may or may not be relevant:
https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=12720

see also :
http://packages.debian.org/changelogs/pool/main/x/xserver-xorg-video-ati/xserver-xorg-video-ati_6.7.195-2/changelog
and
http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=445746

Really. What a screw up, Ubuntu. Not happy.

[Tormod Volden (tormodvolden)]

You can try a test version from https://wiki.ubuntu.com/XorgOnTheEdge which has all the upstream updates.

[Bryan Cebuliak (bryan-cebuliak-gmail)]

Thanks, Tormod. Sadly, no difference.
Bryan
On 10/18/07, Tormod Volden <email address hidden> wrote:
> You can try a test version from https://wiki.ubuntu.com/XorgOnTheEdge
> which has all the upstream updates.
>
> ** Changed in: xserver-xorg-video-ati (Ubuntu)
> Sourcepackagename: xserver-xorg-driver-ati => xserver-xorg-video-ati
> Assignee: canonical-xorg (canonical-xorg) => (unassigned)
>
> --
> Gutsy: Display is washed out, too bright. No adjustment will correct for over bright display
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/152312
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

[Bryan Cebuliak (bryan-cebuliak-gmail)]

Reverting to the feisty xserver-xorg-video-ati_6.6.3-2ubuntu6_i386.deb
fixes my problem. My background of grey shale scree on Moose Mountain
in Kananaskis Country Alberta in summer looks like it should now,
instead of appearing like the first fall snow on the rock.
And I can read the grey text of unavailable menu selections.
Bryan

On 10/18/07, Tormod Volden <email address hidden> wrote:
> You can try a test version from https://wiki.ubuntu.com/XorgOnTheEdge
> which has all the upstream updates.
>
> ** Changed in: xserver-xorg-video-ati (Ubuntu)
> Sourcepackagename: xserver-xorg-driver-ati => xserver-xorg-video-ati
> Assignee: canonical-xorg (canonical-xorg) => (unassigned)
>
> --
> Gutsy: Display is washed out, too bright. No adjustment will correct for over bright display
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/152312
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

[user2037 (user2037)]

Also experienced this issue after a Gutsy upgrade and installing the Feisty package also fixed it for my ATI Radeon 9200SE.

[rjwellsted (ron-wellsted)]

I have tested the xserver-xorg-video-ati packages from the wiki, but there was no change. I am now running with the VESA driver at 1280x1024, but much slower than usual :(

[Bryan Cebuliak (bryan-cebuliak-gmail)]

Here is the upstream bug for those interested.
http://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=12844
Can someone developer-like enlighten us as to the aim of the update?
Is there any advantage to be gained here once the bug is fixed?

On 10/27/07, rjwellsted <email address hidden> wrote:
> I have tested the xserver-xorg-video-ati packages from the wiki, but
> there was no change. I am now running with the VESA driver at
> 1280x1024, but much slower than usual :(
>
> --
> Gutsy: Display is washed out, too bright. No adjustment will correct for over bright display
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/152312
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

[Tormod Volden (tormodvolden)]

Thanks for reporting the bug upstream. We will update the Ubuntu packages as soon as this is fixed by the driver developers.

[Fernando Silva (fernando-silva)]

After installing from scratch Ubuntu Gutsy I had the same problem. Reverting to Feisty package -- xserver-xorg-video-ati_6.6.3-2ubuntu6_i386.deb -- solves this problem.

[agd5f (agd5f)]

*** Bug 12844 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***

[agd5f (agd5f)]

please try again with ati git master. I think I've fixed this.

[Tormod Volden (tormodvolden)]

This has now been fixed upstream. Please try the newest test package from https://wiki.ubuntu.com/XorgOnTheEdge and report the results.

[Tvrtko Ursulin (tvrtko)]

I can confirm that 6.7.196+git20071117-0ubuntu0tv1 fixes the washed out display problem on:

(--) RADEON(0): Chipset: "ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 5954 (PCIE)" (ChipID = 0x5954)

[Bryan Cebuliak (bryan-cebuliak-gmail)]

 I too can confirm that 6.7.196+git20071117-0ubuntu0tv1 fixes the
washed out display regression on:
VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc Radeon 9100 IGP

On Nov 18, 2007 2:00 AM, Tvrtko Ursulin <email address hidden> wrote:
>
> I can confirm that 6.7.196+git20071117-0ubuntu0tv1 fixes the washed out display problem on:
>
> (--) RADEON(0): Chipset: "ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 5954 (PCIE)" (ChipID =
> 0x5954)
>
>
> --
> Gutsy: Display is washed out, too bright. No adjustment will correct for over bright display
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/152312
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

[Tormod Volden (tormodvolden)]

xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.7.197-1 is now in Hardy and should include the -ati driver fix for this bug. Please update if you are running Hardy. This version will also be included in Hardy Alpha 3, which is scheduled for release next week. If you want to test this version (or newer) in Gutsy, try the test packages from https://wiki.ubuntu.com/XorgOnTheEdge

If you find that this bug is not fixed with the new version in Hardy, please reopen the bug report.

[Bryan Cebuliak (bryan-cebuliak-gmail)]

The too bright display is fixed with the new ati driver, but the new
driver does not recognize correct EDID, that is right CORRECT EDID
output from my old LCD monitor and I suspect that is GUI resolution
and font sizes are too large especially on KDM login and KDE. I can
manually fix this on my Debian partition but the Debian xorg.conf
does not work on Gusty.

I will forward you my Debian bug report which for some strange reason
has not been acknowledged yet.

On Jan 4, 2008 7:19 AM, Tormod Volden <email address hidden> wrote:
> xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.7.197-1 is now in Hardy and should include
> the -ati driver fix for this bug. Please update if you are running
> Hardy. This version will also be included in Hardy Alpha 3, which is
> scheduled for release next week. If you want to test this version (or
> newer) in Gutsy, try the test packages from
> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/XorgOnTheEdge
>
> If you find that this bug is not fixed with the new version in Hardy,
> please reopen the bug report.
>
> ** Changed in: xserver-xorg-video-ati (Ubuntu)
> Status: Fix Committed => Fix Released
>
>
> --
> Gutsy: Display is washed out, too bright. No adjustment will correct for over bright display
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/152312
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

[Salvois-users (salvois-users)]

I'm afraid the problem is still there.

I'm running Debian Lenny, xorg 7.3, xserver-xorg-video-radeonhd 1.2.1, ATI X1300 based Sapphire video card, Philips 220AW LCD monitor connected on DVI-I_1/analog through DVI to VGA adapter, set as primary display, and older 17" CRT (apparently not plug and play) on VGA_1.

According to the grayscale in the KDE 3.5.9 display options, gamma section, everything from E4E4E4 is displayed as white on the LCD. The CRT is fine. Changing gamma does not really help, the problem is only on the high luminosity range, as if values are scaled and clamped (very well visible on a GIMP color selector).

Using the "ati" xorg driver (that is xserver-xorg-video-radeon 6.9.0) instead of "radeonhd", the LCD displays fine, but I lose the dual monitor (same image on both monitors).

[Salvois-users (salvois-users)]

(In reply to comment #17)
> I'm afraid the problem is still there.

Sorry I've misread the driver name. The contrast problem is with "radeonhd", while with "radeon" the constrast is fine. I'm also using the two monitors with "radeon" now, and I'm working to get the proper resolution and order.