[nouveau] Terribly flicking and blicking HDMI-port display

[Alex]

Hi,
I have HP15 Gaming Pavilion bought 2-3 years ago.
I had Windows 10 before (not it is the second OS due to this bug [I can't use Ubuntu with this bug]), and Win 10 has no problems.
No solution [that I found over the internet] worked.
I have to have at least two displays.
My connection technology:
PC HDMI output -> HDMI-VGA(+audio) transmitter -> LED 20' Display (external monitor)
Win 10 have never had any problems with it (it has good drivers).
When I add any input to the second screen - it blinks and flickers so terrible that I can see nothing - a white screen problem. If I do nothing - it will turn to some picture in some time, but if I make any action at the second monitor - flickering and the white screen problem appears again.
I think these are drivers. I tested the equipment in Win 10 after I found this bug - and it works perfectly (so, the hardware is good).
It is a typical notebook and this bug is crucial. I use two monitors to type codes and work on PC. I can't survive with just one monitor.
Right now when I am typing you this message the second monitor became white again for quite a long time (I did nothing there).
I hope you will be able to fix this bug :)
Best wishes,
Alex,
Prague, Czech Republic, EU

PS: When typing this message I found another bug compared to MS Windows.
When making screenshots (Alt/Shift + Print Screen) - it makes perfect picture even when you actually have the second monitor white all the time (so the screenshot is not how it is).
I made an actual photo (and deleted some parts of the background not related to the monitors/computer). You can see a white screen, but the screenshot shows a "perfect world" with a perfect picture which is not how it is on the screen.
Windows, on the contrary, makes actual screenshots. And Win 10 test of this monitor never have this white screen or any other monitor problems.
Moreover, when the monitors stops to be white for a second it depicts different picture (more terrible image; it is disproportional, with font heavily readable, but the screenshot functions shows an "ideal world" a user can never see :)

I made this detailed description to help Ubuntu. I think the project is great in concept, but poor in realization. Such bugs make it impossible for users to use Ubuntu (who can work on just one monitor? Who do not wish to make screenshots with what he/she actually sees on the monitor [rather than modified images with the pictures users do not actually see]?).

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 22.04
Package: xorg 1:7.7+23ubuntu2
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.15.0-58.64-generic 5.15.74
Uname: Linux 5.15.0-58-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu82.3
Architecture: amd64
BootLog: Error: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/var/log/boot.log'
CasperMD5CheckResult: pass
CompositorRunning: None
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Mon Feb 6 19:45:32 2023
DistUpgraded: Fresh install
DistroCodename: jammy
DistroVariant: ubuntu
ExtraDebuggingInterest: Yes
GraphicsCard:
 NVIDIA Corporation TU117M [10de:1f99] (rev a1) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
   Subsystem: Hewlett-Packard Company TU117M [103c:87b1]
 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. [AMD/ATI] Renoir [1002:1636] (rev c6) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
   Subsystem: Hewlett-Packard Company Renoir [103c:87b1]
InstallationDate: Installed on 2023-02-04 (2 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS "Jammy Jellyfish" - Release amd64 (20220809.1)
MachineType: HP HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-ec1xxx
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.15.0-58-generic root=UUID=30f188c5-d67f-4f68-ba6d-6995864ff95e ro quiet splash loglevel=3 vt.handoff=7
SourcePackage: xorg
Symptom: display
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 08/18/2021
dmi.bios.release: 15.25
dmi.bios.vendor: AMI
dmi.bios.version: F.25
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: 87B1
dmi.board.vendor: HP
dmi.board.version: 31.23
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: HP
dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
dmi.ec.firmware.release: 31.23
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAMI:bvrF.25:bd08/18/2021:br15.25:efr31.23:svnHP:pnHPPavilionGamingLaptop15-ec1xxx:pvr:rvnHP:rn87B1:rvr31.23:cvnHP:ct10:cvrChassisVersion:sku1N3L2EA#ACB:
dmi.product.family: 103C_5335KV HP Pavilion
dmi.product.name: HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-ec1xxx
dmi.product.sku: 1N3L2EA#ACB
dmi.sys.vendor: HP
version.compiz: compiz N/A
version.libdrm2: libdrm2 2.4.113-2~ubuntu0.22.04.1
version.libgl1-mesa-dri: libgl1-mesa-dri 22.2.5-0ubuntu0.1~22.04.1
version.libgl1-mesa-glx: libgl1-mesa-glx N/A
version.xserver-xorg-core: xserver-xorg-core 2:21.1.3-2ubuntu2.6
version.xserver-xorg-input-evdev: xserver-xorg-input-evdev N/A
version.xserver-xorg-video-ati: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:19.1.0-2ubuntu1
version.xserver-xorg-video-intel: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.99.917+git20210115-1
version.xserver-xorg-video-nouveau: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau 1:1.0.17-2build1

[Alex (alyieks)]

PPS: I have Ubuntu 22.04 (the same version) on my Acer Aspire 3 A315-21G-63YM [very old notebook of about 5-6 years old]; I tried several times to connect this notebook to the same monitor with the same scheme - it works perfectly (I did not try screenshots, because the picture there is perfect). But I still am a rare user of Ubuntu, because I need powerful computers (like this HP Gaming Pavilion) for my operations, and I can't do them on just one monitor in quite OK computers, and I can't do this on two monitors with a relatively slow computer like Acer Aspire 3.
It means, it is some driver issue [that Ubuntu has problems with the inbuilt drivers, but not 100% sure in this].

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Thanks for the bug report.

It looks like this is probably a bug in the nouveau graphics driver, and most likely the HDMI port is connected to your Nvidia GPU. The nouveau driver is also logging errors which may or may not be related to this bug.

Please open the 'Additional Drivers' app and use it to install an official Nvidia driver instead.

[Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot)]

This change was made by a bot.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Actually this might be a variation on bug 1965882 so please also try adding a kernel parameter:

  intel_iommu=off

I don't know if AMD CPUs will require a different parameter.

[Alex (alyieks)]

Hi! Thanks, but there is no solution. Yes, I know it is a driver bug. But the question is how to fix it.

amdgpu dualgpu hybrid nouveau
amdgpu: command not found
________________________________
intel_iommu=off

It did not help

[Alex (alyieks)]

I am sorry for some delay in reply.
I have to use Windows machine due to this bug, and so I was not often in Ubuntu

[Alex (alyieks)]

My graphic version:
Version: F.25
 Version:
 Version: 31.23
 Version: Chassis Version
 SBDS Version: 3.1
 Version: AMD Ryzen 7 4800H with Radeon Graphics
 Firmware Version: Unknown
 Firmware Version: Unknown
My laptop version: Product Name: HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop 15-ec1xxx [written on laptop: Model: 15ec-1032ur]
Family: 103C_5335KV HP Pavilion
________
The next modifications are not from Ubuntu commands, but from the basic info on site:
Motherboard HP 87B2
Video: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650

[Alex (alyieks)]

$ ubuntu-drivers devices
== /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:01.1/0000:01:00.0 ==
modalias : pci:v000010DEd00001F99sv0000103Csd000087B1bc03sc00i00
vendor : NVIDIA Corporation
model : TU117M
driver : nvidia-driver-525-open - distro non-free recommended
driver : nvidia-driver-510 - distro non-free
driver : nvidia-driver-450-server - distro non-free
driver : nvidia-driver-470 - distro non-free
driver : nvidia-driver-515 - distro non-free
driver : nvidia-driver-525-server - distro non-free
driver : nvidia-driver-525 - distro non-free
driver : nvidia-driver-515-server - distro non-free
driver : nvidia-driver-470-server - distro non-free
driver : nvidia-driver-515-open - distro non-free
driver : xserver-xorg-video-nouveau - distro free builtin

[Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng)]

Please run `sudo ubuntu-drivers install` to install proprietary NVIDIA driver.

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Please try adding kernel parameter:

  amd_iommu=off

Because I think this is basically bug 1965882 but we've never had it reported on an AMD system before so don't yet know the solution.

The above is only for when you're sticking with the 'nouveau' driver. But as mentioned in comment #3 and again in comment #10, we recommend you install the proprietary NVIDIA driver instead.

[Alex (alyieks)]

Hi,
amd_iommu=off
Doesn't work. I still have this bug.
sudo ubuntu-drivers install
Reports CRITICAL PROBLEM (and causes the screen). The second time running this program causes total freezing of the entire system. The text ouput is below.
For me it is a critical bug. The second notebook (Acer Aspire) works OK (as I mentioned in the text before).
I hope this bug will receive a good solution :)
I would love to use Ubuntu instead of Win 10 (that has no driver problems).
Best wishes,
Alex.

PS: the text ouput of "sudo ubuntu-drivers install"
_

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/bin/ubuntu-drivers", line 513, in <module>
    greet()
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 1128, in __call__
    return self.main(*args, **kwargs)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 1053, in main
    rv = self.invoke(ctx)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 1659, in invoke
    return _process_result(sub_ctx.command.invoke(sub_ctx))
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 1395, in invoke
    return ctx.invoke(self.callback, **ctx.params)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 754, in invoke
    return __callback(*args, **kwargs)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/decorators.py", line 84, in new_func
    return ctx.invoke(f, obj, *args, **kwargs)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/click/core.py", line 754, in invoke
    return __callback(*args, **kwargs)
  File "/usr/bin/ubuntu-drivers", line 413, in install
    command_install(config)
  File "/usr/bin/ubuntu-drivers", line 187, in command_install
    UbuntuDrivers.detect.nvidia_desktop_pre_installation_hook(to_install)
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/UbuntuDrivers/detect.py", line 839, in nvidia_desktop_pre_installation_hook
    with_nvidia_kms = version >= 470
UnboundLocalError: local variable 'version' referenced before assignmen

[Alex (alyieks)]

PPS:
Command line died after:
sudo ubuntu-drivers install
Nothing works there, even pressing Enter
But the cursor shows it waits for the input:
alex@***lex:

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Please try the 'Additional Drivers' app mentioned in comment #3.

[Alex (alyieks)]

Hi, sorry I posted my update to the wrong comment.
Comment number three [driver update to tested] provides error (see the screenshot)
This window with the error cannot be closed (bug); I tried everything, including pressing close the window button.

intel_iommu=igfx_off - not helped (input goes OK, but the bug is still here)

Suggested solution:
https://people.canonical.com/~khfeng/gfx-no-dmar/
=>
linux-modules-extra-5.15.0-1050-generic_5.15.0-1050.56_amd64.deb
Error with no description (screenshot attached)

PS: The second attempt to follow to the comment number three: Error with no description (see the screenshot)
It then automatically selects the last option (no other option end with success).

PPS: I will surely thank everyone if this bug is fixed. So, if no such replies - it means the problem is unsolved :(

Maybe, Linux is not a choice for this notebook :(

[Alex (alyieks)]

The above commend means the comment number three (3) is not working - driver issue still remains :(

[Alex (alyieks)]

Another attempt to load a different driver option provides this error (at least, there is some text in the message)

[Alex (alyieks)]

The next different option of the driver installation provides text message with error (at least, this option has some text output)

[Alex (alyieks)]

A different option of driver installation provides similar error :(

[Alex (alyieks)]

A different variant than previous options still provides error :(

[Alex (alyieks)]

The server driver option is no help - there is still error message :(

[Alex (alyieks)]

This is a different driver option that returns the same error :(

[Alex (alyieks)]

So, I have tried everything possible, I think.
It seems it is an unresolvable driver bug issue with an AMD-core notebook :(
It is very sad since I would like to work in Ubuntu on exactly this notebook (it has a good productivity)

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

The bug is fixable. It looks like you just have network/configuration problems preventing you from getting the correct packages installed.

Please:

0. Settings > Date & Time > Automatic Date & Time = ON
1. Run: software-properties-gtk
2. Set: Download from = Main server
3. Close the window.
4. Run: sudo apt update
5. Run: sudo apt full-upgrade
6. Reboot.
7. Run: sudo apt install nvidia-driver-525
8. Reboot.

[Alex (alyieks)]

Dear Daniel,
Thank you very much for the solution.
It seems it helped. The blinking disappeared; that is great because it seems I can work with this notebook in Ubuntu. Thanks for your time and for your solution.
I hope the blinking will not return :)
Have a nice coming Summer!
Best Wishes,
Alex.

[Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot)]

This change was made by a bot.

[Alex (alyieks)]

Hi,
Sorry for late update.
This solution causes a big trouble: system constantly freezes.
Sometimes it can take as long as 10 minutes to type a message like this.
Ubuntu bug report doesn't allow general crash problems to be posted - only related to specific packages, or small issues (not general crashes). So I have to type it to here.
Since the problem appears after the implementation of this solution (I reinstalled the Ubuntu to check it), it can be related to the driver update.
So it can be: either 2 monitors and freezy system, or 1 monitor and working Ubuntu :(
Maybe HP Pavilion 15 is not supported by Ubuntu and has no working drivers, I don't know.
Thanks in advance for any helpful solutions :)
 Best wishes,
Alex.

[Alex (alyieks)]

PS: Windows 10 works perfectly fine on this notebook. So it is Ubuntu.... It constantly writes every program is not responding, so it takes much time even to type.... Are there any remedies for this? Or should I forget about Ubuntu for this notebook?

[Daniel van Vugt (vanvugt)]

Freezes and crashes are different to this bug so should be reported as new bugs by running:

  ubuntu-bug gnome-shell