1002:68e0 [Acer Aspire 5740] Request to change power_profile from "default" to "auto" in standard install

Bug #771963 reported by Luis Silva
32
This bug affects 5 people
Affects Status Importance Assigned to Milestone
xserver-xorg-video-ati (Ubuntu)
Won't Fix
Wishlist
Unassigned

Bug Description

Binary package hint: xserver-xorg-video-radeon

WORKAROUND: By using powertop and reading the radeon/feature page on x.org I managed to reduce the power consumption when on battery by about 4W on my laptop (from about 22W to 18W). I just followed the recommendations on:
http://www.x.org/wiki/RadeonFeature
and did:
$ sudo -c sh 'echo "auto" > /sys/class/drm/card0/device/power_profile'

This solution, if it doesn't trigger problems for anyone, should be made either the default or easily configurable through some file in /etc.

---
Architecture: i386
DistUpgraded: Fresh install
DistroCodename: natty
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
DistroVariant: ubuntu
InstallationMedia: Kubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Alpha i386 (20110202)
Package: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.14.0-0ubuntu4 [modified: usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/ati_drv.so]
PackageArchitecture: i386
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=en_GB.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-8.42-generic 2.6.38.2
Tags: natty ubuntu
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-8-generic i686
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups:

version.compiz: compiz N/A
version.libdrm2: libdrm2 2.4.23-1ubuntu6
version.libgl1-mesa-dri: libgl1-mesa-dri 7.10.2-0ubuntu2
version.libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental: libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental N/A
version.libgl1-mesa-glx: libgl1-mesa-glx 7.10.2-0ubuntu2
version.xserver-xorg: xserver-xorg 1:7.6+4ubuntu3
version.xserver-xorg-video-ati: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.14.0-0ubuntu4
version.xserver-xorg-video-intel: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.14.0-4ubuntu7
version.xserver-xorg-video-nouveau: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau 1:0.0.16+git20110107+b795ca6e-0ubuntu7
---
ApportVersion: 2.13.3-0ubuntu1
Architecture: amd64
CompizPlugins: No value set for `/apps/compiz-1/general/screen0/options/active_plugins'
CompositorRunning: kwin
CurrentDesktop: KDE
DistUpgraded: Fresh install
DistroCodename: trusty
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
DistroVariant: kubuntu
ExtraDebuggingInterest: No
GraphicsCard:
 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Park [Mobility Radeon HD 5430/5450/5470] [1002:68e0] (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
   Subsystem: Acer Incorporated [ALI] Device [1025:033e]
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-02-28 (14 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Kubuntu 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Alpha amd64 (20140121.1)
LightdmGreeterLog:
 QInotifyFileSystemWatcherEngine::addPaths: inotify_add_watch failed: No such file or directory
 QFileSystemWatcher: failed to add paths: /var/lib/lightdm/.config/ibus/bus
 Bus::open: Can not get ibus-daemon's address.
 IBusInputContext::createInputContext: no connection to ibus-daemon
 file:///usr/share/kde4/apps/lightdm-kde-greeter/themes/userbar/main.qml:135: Unable to assign [undefined] to QString usersession
LightdmGreeterLogOld:
 QInotifyFileSystemWatcherEngine::addPaths: inotify_add_watch failed: No such file or directory
 QFileSystemWatcher: failed to add paths: /var/lib/lightdm/.config/ibus/bus
 Bus::open: Can not get ibus-daemon's address.
 IBusInputContext::createInputContext: no connection to ibus-daemon
 file:///usr/share/kde4/apps/lightdm-kde-greeter/themes/userbar/main.qml:135: Unable to assign [undefined] to QString usersession
Lsusb:
 Bus 002 Device 003: ID 04f2:b044 Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd Acer CrystalEye Webcam
 Bus 002 Device 002: ID 8087:0020 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
 Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
 Bus 001 Device 002: ID 8087:0020 Intel Corp. Integrated Rate Matching Hub
 Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
MachineType: Acer Aspire 5740
Package: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:7.3.0-1ubuntu3
PackageArchitecture: amd64
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-3.13.0-17-generic root=UUID=e54c03a3-5e03-4293-9cf7-2f0279e33d24 ro radeon.dpm=1 quiet splash vt.handoff=7
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-17.37-generic 3.13.6
Tags: trusty kubuntu reproducible
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-17-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups: adm cdrom dip lpadmin plugdev sambashare sudo
_MarkForUpload: True
dmi.bios.date: 11/26/2009
dmi.bios.vendor: Phoenix Technologies LTD
dmi.bios.version: V1.09
dmi.board.name: Aspire 5740
dmi.board.vendor: Acer
dmi.board.version: Rev
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Tag
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Acer
dmi.chassis.version: Rev
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnPhoenixTechnologiesLTD:bvrV1.09:bd11/26/2009:svnAcer:pnAspire5740:pvrRev:rvnAcer:rnAspire5740:rvrRev:cvnAcer:ct10:cvrRev:
dmi.product.name: Aspire 5740
dmi.product.version: Rev
dmi.sys.vendor: Acer
version.compiz: compiz N/A
version.ia32-libs: ia32-libs N/A
version.libdrm2: libdrm2 2.4.52-1
version.libgl1-mesa-dri: libgl1-mesa-dri 10.1.0~rc3-0ubuntu3
version.libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental: libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental N/A
version.libgl1-mesa-glx: libgl1-mesa-glx 10.1.0~rc3-0ubuntu3
version.xserver-xorg-core: xserver-xorg-core 2:1.15.0-1ubuntu6
version.xserver-xorg-input-evdev: xserver-xorg-input-evdev 1:2.8.2-1ubuntu2
version.xserver-xorg-video-ati: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:7.3.0-1ubuntu3
version.xserver-xorg-video-intel: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.99.910-0ubuntu1
version.xserver-xorg-video-nouveau: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau 1:1.0.10-1ubuntu2
xserver.bootTime: Wed Mar 12 13:23:40 2014
xserver.configfile: default
xserver.errors:

xserver.logfile: /var/log/Xorg.0.log
xserver.outputs: Output HDMI-0 LVDS VGA-0
xserver.version: 2:1.15.0-1ubuntu6
xserver.video_driver: radeon

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : Dependencies.txt

apport information

tags: added: apport-collected natty ubuntu
description: updated
bugbot (bugbot)
tags: added: kubuntu
summary: - graphics card uses more power than needed when on batery
+ graphics card uses more power than needed when on battery
Revision history for this message
penalvch (penalvch) wrote : Re: graphics card uses more power than needed when on battery

Luis Silva, this bug was reported a while ago and there hasn't been any activity in it recently. We were wondering if this is still an issue? If so, could you please test for this with the latest development release of Ubuntu? ISO images are available from http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/ .

If it remains an issue, 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 xserver-xorg-video-ati REPLACE-WITH-BUG-NUMBER

Please note, given that the information from the prior release is already available, doing this on a release prior to the development one would not be helpful.

Thank you for your understanding.

Helpful bug reporting tips:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ReportingBugs

Changed in xserver-xorg-video-ati (Ubuntu):
importance: Undecided → Low
status: New → Incomplete
Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote :

This issue is still present in Sassy. In Raring and Sassy the power savings can be made more significant by switching to the experimental "dpm" power mode. I will attach updated debug information as soon as possible.

Revision history for this message
penalvch (penalvch) wrote :

Luis Silva, thank you for advising this is still reproducible in Saucy. Please ensure when you provide updated logs, it's from Trusty (next release up from Saucy) as requested in https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-ati/+bug/771963/comments/2 .

Revision history for this message
Launchpad Janitor (janitor) wrote :

[Expired for xserver-xorg-video-ati (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]

Changed in xserver-xorg-video-ati (Ubuntu):
status: Incomplete → Expired
Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : Dependencies.txt

apport information

tags: added: trusty
description: updated
Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : ProcEnviron.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
penalvch (penalvch) wrote : Re: graphics card uses more power than needed when on battery

Luis Silva, when performing the apport-collect please ensure you have xdiagnose installed, and that you click the Yes button for attaching additional debugging information.

description: updated
Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : BootDmesg.txt

apport information

tags: added: reproducible
description: updated
Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : BootLog.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : Re: graphics card uses more power than needed when on battery

Christopher Penalver: Oups! Sorry about that. I thought I had it all installed as a dependency of apport. An updated log is on it's way.

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : CurrentDmesg.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : Dependencies.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : DpkgLog.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : LightdmDisplayLog.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : LightdmLog.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : Lspci.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : ProcCpuinfo.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : ProcEnviron.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : ProcInterrupts.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : ProcModules.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : UdevDb.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : UdevLog.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : XorgLog.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : XorgLogOld.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : Xrandr.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : xdpyinfo.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Luis Silva (lacsilva) wrote : xserver.devices.txt

apport information

penalvch (penalvch)
tags: added: bios-outdated-1.28
summary: - graphics card uses more power than needed when on battery
+ [Acer Aspire 5740] graphics card uses more power than needed when on
+ battery
penalvch (penalvch)
Changed in xserver-xorg-video-ati (Ubuntu):
status: Expired → New
penalvch (penalvch)
summary: - [Acer Aspire 5740] graphics card uses more power than needed when on
- battery
+ 1002:68e0 [Acer Aspire 5740] graphics card uses more power than needed
+ when on battery
description: updated
Revision history for this message
penalvch (penalvch) wrote : Re: 1002:68e0 [Acer Aspire 5740] graphics card uses more power than needed when on battery

Luis Silva, having a look at http://www.x.org/wiki/RadeonFeature/#index3h2 it would appear that upstream has intentionally not chosen "Auto" as the default power_profile due to the information provided within the section:
>"Power management is supported on all asics (r1xx-evergreen) that include the appropriate power state tables in the vbios; not all boards do (especially older desktop cards). "dpm" is only supported on R6xx and newer asics."

Ubuntu wouldn't deviate from this upstream policy for a few reasons:
1) It could cause adverse effects on default installs for folks with older graphics cards.
2) If it absolutely would cause no adverse effects, deviating from upstream this way would cause an undo maintenance burden of Ubuntu. It would be strongly preferred that if something is changed from the current default behavior, it is done upstream first.

Despite this, the suggestion of power_profile to reduce power consumption has been documented in the Ubuntu documentation for reducing power consumption:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PowerManagement/ReducedPower

xserver-xorg-video-ati -> Wishlist Won't Fix

This does not mean that this report is closed, but that the discussion may still continue as noted in https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/Bug%20statuses .

Changed in xserver-xorg-video-ati (Ubuntu):
importance: Low → Wishlist
status: New → Won't Fix
summary: - 1002:68e0 [Acer Aspire 5740] graphics card uses more power than needed
- when on battery
+ 1002:68e0 [Acer Aspire 5740] Request to change power_profile from
+ "default" to "auto" in standard install
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