Vertical green lines bands in 24-bit on Compaq Deskpro (i815)

[Nikolay Dimitrov]

Hello,

As I know, the problem is not new.
I have installed Ubuntu "Breezy Badger" on the following configuration:

COMPAQ Deskpro EN
Intel Pentium III 800Mhz
384Mb RAM
Intel Corporation 82815 CGC [Chipset Graphics Controller]
Philips 190S Monitor

The instalation went without problems, and all the hardware was recognized correctly. Unfortunately, my screen looked like this:

http://spratty.hit.bg/bug/Bad-1.jpg
http://spratty.hit.bg/bug/Bad-2.jpg

The problem does not depend on the monitor. (I have tryed another one)
The problem exists only with resolution above 1024x768. On 1024x768 the problem disapeares. In the same time though, as far as I can see, the monitor is still flickering.

The problem is solved "in a half" when adding this ModeLine:
# V-freq: 60.00 Hz // h-freq: 63.73 KHz
Modeline "1280x1024" 109.62 1280 1336 1472 1720 1024 1024 1026 1062

Generated with this ModeLine generator:
http://www.dkfz-heidelberg.de/spec/linux/modeline/
(Only this one realy works!)

You can see the result here:
http://spratty.hit.bg/bug/Not_so_bad-1.jpg
http://spratty.hit.bg/bug/Not_so_bad-2.jpg

The lines are still there, but not so obvious.

Finaly, the only real solution is to change the Default color depth to 16. This fixes the problem, but now the colors are not as good as they can be.
I have found this forum topic, that explained me about the color depth:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=55715&goto=nextoldest

I guess that this Intel chipset is realy quirky piece of hardware.

This is the output of the "ddcprobe" command:

vbe: VESA 3.0 detected.
oem: Intel(R) 815 Chipset Video BIOS
vendor: Intel Corporation
product: Intel(R) 815 Chipset Hardware Version 0.0
memory: 1024kb
mode: 132x25 (text)
mode: 132x43 (text)
mode: 132x50 (text)
mode: 132x60 (text)
mode: 320x200x64k
mode: 640x400x256
mode: 640x480x256
mode: 640x480x32k
mode: 640x480x64k
mode: 640x480x16m
mode: 800x600x16
mode: 800x600x256
mode: 800x600x32k
mode: 800x600x64k
mode: 800x600x16m
mode: 1024x768x256
edid: 1 3
id: 082f
eisa: PHL082f
serial: 0003480f
manufacture: 34 2005
input: separate sync, composite sync, sync on green, digital signal.
screensize: 38 30
gamma: 2.200000
dpms: RGB, active off, suspend, standby
timing: 720x400@70 Hz (VGA 640x400, IBM)
timing: 720x400@88 Hz (XGA2)
timing: 640x480@60 Hz (VGA)
timing: 640x480@67 Hz (Mac II, Apple)
timing: 640x480@72 Hz (VESA)
timing: 640x480@75 Hz (VESA)
timing: 800x600@60 Hz (VESA)
timing: 800x600@72 Hz (VESA)
timing: 800x600@75 Hz (VESA)
timing: 832x624@75 Hz (Mac II)
timing: 1024x768@87 Hz Interlaced (8514A)
timing: 1024x768@70 Hz (VESA)
timing: 1024x768@75 Hz (VESA)
timing: 1280x1024@75 (VESA)
ctiming: 1280x1024@60
dtiming: 1280x1024@70
monitorserial: BZ 215055
monitorname: Philips 190S
monitorrange: 30-83, 56-76

And my xorg.conf:

# /etc/X11/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 /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/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"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/CID"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
        # paths to defoma fonts
        FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
        FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/CID"
EndSection

Section "Module"
        Load "GLcore"
        Load "i2c"
        Load "bitmap"
        Load "ddc"
        Load "dri"
        Load "extmod"
        Load "freetype"
        Load "glx"
        Load "int10"
        Load "type1"
        Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
        Driver "kbd"
        Option "CoreKeyboard"
        Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
        Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
        Option "XkbLayout" "us,bg"
        Option "XkbVariant" "bds"
        Option "XkbOptions" "grp:alt_shift_toggle"
EndSection

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

Section "Device"
        Identifier "Intel Corporation 82815 CGC [Chipset Graphics Controller]"
        Driver "i810"
        BusID "PCI:0:2:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier "Philips 190S"
        Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
        Identifier "Default Screen"
        Device "Intel Corporation 82815 CGC [Chipset Graphics Controller]"
        Monitor "Philips 190S"
        DefaultDepth 16
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 1
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 4
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 8
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 15
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 16
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 24
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
        Identifier "Default Layout"
        Screen "Default Screen"
        InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
        InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
        Mode 0666
EndSection

[Paul Sladen (sladen)]

Looking at the forum post, it appears to be using:

  *Mode "1280x1024": 108.0 MHz, 64.0 kHz, 60.0 Hz
  Modeline "1280x1024" 108.00 1280 1328 1500 1688 1024
1025 1028 1066

which matches the suggested "Future mode" that the monitor is providing.

I notice also that DRI (direct rendering for 3D) only works in 16-bit. Does setting the depth to '32' also make it work?

I think the vertical lines might be resolvable by adjusting the horizontal-scale and phase (these should be menu options on the monitor).

Does it still occur with a CRT (a none flat-panel); as the lines maybe the result of going Digital->Analogue->Digital and having the match analogue pixels back up to a square grid of pixels.

Those vertical lines are occuring every 100 pixels, so it maybe the case of fitting 99 pixels in 100 pixels width - every 100'th you need to miss one out.

Try reducing the width (scaling) slightly.

[Nikolay Dimitrov (tza2)]

Hello Mr. Sladen,

     Thank you verry much for your attention on my problem.
     Actually, I did resolve it some time ago, by setting the default color depth to 16 bits. It works fine now, only that the color is not that vivid as it can be :)

     The problem is not dependent of the monitor. I have try three - one LCD, and two CRT.
     I do not know how to change the color depth to 32 bit. I am new to Linux. Actually, all the time I was thinking, that this has something to do with the synchronization (HSync) of the monitor, because changing the settings in the xorg.conf, changed the appearance of the problem. Allso the picture vibrated slightly.
     Any way, the only true solution, was reducing the color depth. It is allso verry strange, that using a 1024x768 removes the lines, although the picture still vibrates verry slightly.

     I submitted the bug, because I guess that this might help somebody to fix it (if there is anyone up to this ofcource).

     What I think I will do now, is to buy a new video card actually :))

     Thanks a lot
     Best regards
     Nikolai Dimitrov

 Dopisane
TheSprat
http://www.spratty.hit.bg
Open Source is Freedom!

---------------------------------
Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.

[packet (packet)]

I am also seeing this problem (the very same, judging from the pictures include in the bugreport here, with the regular distance between the bars and the missing bar in the middle and on the left side of the screen).

I can confirm that
- using an analog CRT does not help (this rules out your digital-analog-digital conversion guess)
- DRI only works in 16 Bit (at least it always used to be like that with everything I tried)

[Matthew Lange (matthewlange)]

Possibly not using the right driver?

[hatchetman82 (hatchetman82)]

i can confirm the exact same bug- using ubuntu 6.10 and an IBM CRT (P275).
the 100-over-99 pixel matching issue doesnt look like a good guess to me since if you move something through any of the lines (say your mouse pointer) you can see changes in other lines - which i think rules out straight interpolation.

im not at the problematic PC right now so i cant post my config files, but im 100% certain im using the i810 driver (for a 815 CGC chipset) in xorg.conf.
as part of my efforts i've tried downloading a newer version of the 810 driver (*.so) into the xserver modules/drivers directory, installing 915resolution (which didnt recognize my chipset, might be another issue) and manually adding the HorizSync and VertRefresh values under Monitor in xorg.conf.

none of the above worked.

[Nick_Hill (nick-nickhill)]

I can confirm exactly same bug with Gutsy Gibbon Tribe 2 June 27 2007.

xorg.log for machine exhibiting this problem attached

10 sparkling vertical lines in blue/green when using i810 driver on Compaq Deskpro i815.

Looks a lot like video memory is being mis-mapped, or memory used for video is also being used for graphics driver scratch pad.

Following resolutions tested and OK:
1024x768 24bpp
1280x768 16bpp

Problem resolution:1280x1024 24bpp.

When booting Gutsy directly from live CD with higher res monitor, this problem manifests itself.

lspci -v :
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 82815 CGC [Chipset Graphics Controller] (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [VGA])
        Subsystem: Compaq Computer Corporation Unknown device 001a
        Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 19
        Memory at 44000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=64M]
        Memory at 40400000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=512K]
        Capabilities: [dc] Power Management version 2

Tested with both TFT and CRT screens.

[Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton)]

Nick_Hill:

Please try the -intel driver, -i810 is not maintained upstream.

[Evan Huus (eapache)]

Confirmed on Gutsy Beta with -intel driver.

[unggnu (unggnu)]

Could you please recheck it with Gutsy Final Live CD? In Gutsy i810 driver is deprecated and intel driver is used instead.

[unggnu (unggnu)]

I am closing this bug report since this issue should be fixed in Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 and there is no response for more than two months.

[hatchetman82 (hatchetman82)]

hi.

i apologize for no answering your previous mail (been too busy to try
when i first received it, and simply forgot about it later on).
i get the exact same bug with the 7.10 liveCD.
the severity of the vertical lines increases when i try and increase
the refresh rate from the default 60 Hz to 75 Hz, and the problem
disappears when lowering resolution to 1024x768.
what is interesting is that when using the knoppix liveDVD (version
5.1.1) the problem doesnt exist.

would it be possible to re-open the bug ? (i'd hate to re-submit a duplicate)
if you supply me with a list of commands the output of which would
help determins the difference between the ubuntu liveCD and the
knoppix liveDVD please email those commands to me so that i could run
them and post the outputs on launchpad (dont have an experience with
these things)

On Jan 2, 2008 9:37 PM, unggnu <email address hidden> wrote:
> I am closing this bug report since this issue should be fixed in Ubuntu
> Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 and there is no response for more than two months.
>
> ** Changed in: xserver-xorg-video-i810 (Ubuntu)
> Status: Incomplete => Invalid
>
>
> --
> Vertical green lines bands in 24-bit on Compaq Deskpro (i815)
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/32716
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

[Joshua Riffle (rampageai)]

The example images are no longer working so I can't compare, but I receive vertical green lines on Ubuntu 7.04 LiveCD when using PC133 RAM but -NOT- when using PC100 RAM on a Compaq DeskPro EN P3 933Mhz. I've tested this on two Compaq DeskPros with the exact same make. Not sure if this is helpful but it is an interesting coincidence.

[Chris Fletcher (fletch-brightsparks)]

I have Compaq Deskpro EN systems all with 133Mhz RAM. They have the vertical lines at any resolution higher than 1024x768.

However, contrary to what has been described in an above post, it is NOT some Intel weirdness. I know this because I'm running Windows XP on identical hardware at 1280x1024 (at 75Hz) and it is fine. Therefore it is a problem with Linux/Xorg.

[komputes (komputes)]

sprat, would you happen to still have pictures of this issue. If so, please attach them to the bug. Cheers.

[Nikolay Dimitrov (tza2)]

No, I'm realy sorry.
This was a long time ago and i'm sure i have deleted everything, since i don't even have this computer anymore.
I remember the problen though, so if i can help you by describing it, or with anything else please let me know.

 ********
Best Regards
Nikolai Dimitrov
Professional Dreamer, and Tales Writer
free-tales.eu

________________________________
From: komputes <email address hidden>
To: <email address hidden>
Sent: Thu, June 24, 2010 1:00:36 AM
Subject: [Bug 32716] Re: Vertical green lines bands in 24-bit on Compaq Deskpro (i815)

sprat, would you happen to still have pictures of this issue. If so,
please attach them to the bug. Cheers.

--
Vertical green lines bands in 24-bit on Compaq Deskpro (i815)
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/32716
You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
of the bug.