Booting into desktop results in flickering (also when I turn off and next turn on display)

[Piotr]

Dear Launchpad Community,

I have problem with my display on all version of Ubuntu system. It doesn't matter what version I will install. I checked this on Ubuntu 18.04.5, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 20.04.1, Lubuntu 18.04.5. My screen is flashing for one second when I boot my system or if I will turn off and next turn on my display. My screen is flashing (white image) for one second. What is a problem? I think that this can be driver problem or with kernel itself. I have this same problem on other computer. On both computers I have Radeon graphic card.

Some outputs from terminal:

First computer:

lshw -C video

*-display
       description: VGA compatible controller
       product: RS880M [Mobility Radeon HD 4225/4250]
       vendor: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI]
configuration: driver=radeon latency=0

Second computer:

lshw -C video

*-display
       description: VGA compatible controller
       product: RV516/M64-S [Mobility Radeon X2300]
       vendor: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI]
       configuration: driver=radeon latency=0

Both computers:

uname -ar
5.4.0-73-generic #82~18.04.1-Ubuntu SMP Fri Apr 16 15:10:02 UTC 2021 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 18.04.5 LTS
Release: 18.04

Package:
linux-hwe-5.4-headers-5.4.0-73/bionic-updates,bionic-updates,bionic-security,bionic-security,now 5.4.0-73.82~18.04.1

Package: xserver-xorg-video-radeon-hwe-18.04
Version: 1:19.1.0-1~18.04.1

Package: xserver-xorg-video-ati-hwe-18.04
Version: 1:19.1.0-1~18.04.1

I hope that you can help and fix it. I don't have this issue on Windows family system.

Normally when I will boot my system or my display was turn off and next turn on I shouldn't notice flickering of my display but it is happen.

This can be problem with radeon driver or linux kernel itself.

I maked some videos from two machines with other operating systems.

1) Old notebook with Lubuntu 18.04:

- booting (0:24 issue is shown): https://youtu.be/5ZfDxHV4A2s
- turn off/turn on display (this same issue): https://youtu.be/Dn8WG-O2r10

2) Other machine with Ubuntu 18.04 this have also old Ati Radeon card:
- booting (0:14 issue is shown): https://youtu.be/oZ2dCiHHB2Y
- turn off/turn on display (this same issue): https://youtu.be/8s0sBYdnKzw

You can see that both machines is affected by this same issue but in first machine this issue is most visible. I hope that this help and you can now fix this issue or report it. I think that this issue is for radeon driver but you maybe have more knowledge about it.

I hope that you can help. If it is needed more information then you can ask me.

I founded on askubuntu some solution. I can add to the GRUB nomodeset option and this help me for the one of the machines. Flickers is gone but system works slower and with lower resolution. On my machine with RS880M this option is not possible because this cause problems with my hardware and I can see artefacts so I will not try use this nomodeset option anymore.

I found Bug #1838644 and I have this same problem like more users in the past. I am on 5.4.0-73-generic kernel like you can see above.

Normally when I will boot my system or logout from the session I shouldn't notice flickering of my display but it is happen.

[Chris Guiver (guiverc)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. Please execute the following command only once, as it will automatically gather debugging information, in a terminal:

apport-collect 1917101

When reporting bugs in the future please use apport by using 'ubuntu-bug' and the name of the package affected. You can learn more about this functionality at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs.

Bug reporting is mostly about finding & fixing problems thus preventing future users from hitting the same bug.

I suspect a Support site would be more appropriate, eg. https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu. You can also find help with your problem in the support forum of your local Ubuntu community http://loco.ubuntu.com/ or asking at https://askubuntu.com or https://ubuntuforums.org, or for more support options please look at https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/community-support/709

[Chris Guiver (guiverc)]

FYI: A picture, or (link to) short video may also help.

Yes your description reminds me of issues I experienced with Lubuntu 18.04.5 (radeon too, using HWE kernel, but issues didn't exist using GA kernel including when updated to 18.04.5), but without photograph/video evidence, it could be something different you're describing.

[Piotr (peterq94)]

I recorded video but I must send it. This looks like problem with drivers or kernel compatibility with old AMD cards. On new PC with Intel UHD630 I don't have this issue for Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. This issue is only for old AMD cards for both Ubuntu 18.04.5 and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

I will be back with video or picture.

[Piotr (peterq94)]

I maked some videos from two machine with other operating systems.

1) Old notebook with Lubuntu 18.04:

- booting (0:24 issue is shown): https://youtu.be/5ZfDxHV4A2s
- turn off/turn on display (this same issue): https://youtu.be/Dn8WG-O2r10

2) Other machine with Ubuntu 18.04 this have also old Ati Radeon card:
- booting (0:14 issue is shown): https://youtu.be/oZ2dCiHHB2Y
- turn off/turn on display (this same issue): https://youtu.be/8s0sBYdnKzw

You can see that both machines is affected by this same issue but in first machine this issue is most visible. I hope that this help and you can now fix this issue or report it. I think that this issue is for Radeon driver but you maybe have more knowledge about it.

Please help me.

Yours faithfully,
Piotr

[Piotr (peterq94)]

@Chris Guiver, can you confirm that this issue is caused by linux kernel? I hope that someone will answer me and can help with fix it.

[Chris Guiver (guiverc)]

Lubuntu 18.04 is EOL (see https://lubuntu.me/bionic-eol/) as flavors only provide 3 years of supported life (using packages found in 'universe').

Main Ubuntu Desktop, Server and packages from 'main', which include the kernel you're asking do have 5 years of support with regards security fixes.

I had a quick look at your video, I couldn't see the issue you're talking about, but Lubuntu 18.04 is no longer supported. The Ubuntu/Canonical team however will require the apport-collect to be actioned.

[Piotr (peterq94)]

@guiverc this is not problem only with Lubuntu. I have this same issue on second computer with installed Ubuntu 18.04.5. I want to do apport-collect but I am afraid about sended data that this can be unsafe. I mean that someone can collect this data to attack me because this is public. Can I report this but only visible for developer?

[Chris Guiver (guiverc)]

Top right you should see a "Padlock This report contains Public Information Padlock" type area which you can change to a higher setting...

Too high though and other users of launchpad won't be able to see it and click the "affects me too" providing the confirmation required for it to get attention (currently it impacts only 1 user; contrast with bug 1838644 you mention which currently has 3 impacted users thus more heat, plus it has the apport details provided)