[Hardy] X Server fails to start [845g]

[VincentRC]

Binary package hint: xserver-xorg-video-intel

Hardy alpha 4 Desktop CD

Hi everybody,

I have a problem which looks the same as the one described here https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-intel/+bug/178837 , but although it seems to have been fixed since Hardy alpha 2 (if I have understood everything... I'm not english), X server still does not start for me in Hardy alpha 4 (Desktop CD).

I have an old computer with an old computer with an Intel 82845G/GL[Brookdale-G]/GE Chipset Integrated Graphics Device, and the X server won't launch.

It tries and tries again, but my CRT screen won't turn on.
It only works when I boot in safe graphic mode.

The only distribution that work without any problem (out of the box) for me is Mandriva 2008, and yes, 16bit depth is automatically forced (in Mandriva), but everything works fine, compiz-fusion too.

PS : I have the same problem with Gutsy final, and everything work fine in Feisty.

I'll attach my Xorg.0.log in a comment.

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

Can you also attach your /etc/X11/xorg.conf and the output of lspci -vvnn?

[VincentRC (vreneco1)]

Here it is. There is not much to see in the xorg.conf file.

[VincentRC (vreneco1)]

I have used Hardy alpha 5 to copy those outputs and the same (bug) thing happens. No X session in normal mode, but I can get one in safe graphics mode).

[unggnu (unggnu)]

Could you please add the line
Driver "i810"
to the Live CD file /etc/X11/xorg.conf under Device section? After that restart X with ctrl + alt + backspace and report back if it works.
Btw. does Gutsy or an older Ubuntu release works fine for you?

[VincentRC (vreneco1)]

Yes it works when I do what you asked me. I'm reporting from Hardy alpha 5 Live CD.

Gutsy did the same to me, I haven't tested this workaround yet, I'll try and tell you as soon as possible.

I didn't install Feisty on that machine, but I remember the live CD was working.

[VincentRC (vreneco1)]

Ok for Gutsy too with the workaround.
I have replaced (with nano) "Driver "intel"" by "Driver "i810"" in the Device section and it works fine.

[unggnu (unggnu)]

The -i810 driver is the old one replaced by -intel. Since it doesn't seem to be a hardware issue because it works fine with -i810 driver I guess the best option is to report it upstream and post the link here. There is a HowTo for Intel driver bug reporting. http://intellinuxgraphics.org/how_to_report_bug.html . If you have questions just ask.

[VincentRC (vreneco1)]

Done.

Nevertheless, it would be a good thing to fix this in Hardy since it might affect any user with the same kind of hardware.
And as it works on Mandriva 2008 (out of the box), why would it be different in Ubuntu ?
I'm saying that because any new user (specialy Ubuntu user) won't know how to fix this and will just think that it does not work... and go back the other OS.

[unggnu (unggnu)]

If it is fixed upstream before Hardy release it is very likely that the patch makes it into Hardy. Please post the link for your upstream bug report so the status is always known.

[VincentRC (vreneco1)]

The link of the uptream bug report :

https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=14726

[unggnu (unggnu)]

According to upstream it is a problem with the EDID data which couldn't even be fixed with a quirk so I am not sure if this bug should stay open.
Does the workaround mentioned there work for your?:

There is a doc on how to configure the preferredmode option
http://www.intellinuxgraphics.org/dualhead.html

You need to add:
1. Option "Monitor-VGA" "Q910" to your device section
2. add
   Modeline "1280x1024_OK" 157.50 1280 1344 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072
+hsync +vsync
   Option "PreferredMode" "1280x1024_OK"
to your monitor section.

[unggnu (unggnu)]

We are closing this bug report as the Ubuntu developers can't fix this issue according to upstream and there is a possible workaround.
However don't hesitate to submit bug reports in the future. Thanks again!