[KM400] KDE not working on kernel 2.6.31 (DRI problem)

[Franz Apeltauer]

When I boot the karmic Koala beta Desktop CD, the KDE splash screen loops.
During the first loop all icons appear up to the [K]. Then the screen turns black and the KDE splash screen starts over, displaying the first icon. From now on it loops endlessly: 1st icon - black screen - 1st icon ...
Probably the X server crashes again and again.
No response to keyboard or mouse except the following keys:
Ctrl-Alt-F1 (does not display text terminal #1 as expected, but weird blocks of color).
Ctrl-Alt-F7 returns me to the KDE splash screen loop
Alt-SysReq-B reboots as expected.
Alt-SysReq-E does not terminate the loop, only seems to restart the splash screen.

This happens, no matter what boot options I try (default / acpi=off / Safe graphics mode).

Hardware:
Averatec 3200 Notebook
BIOS R1.04
CPU: Mobile AMD Athlon XP-M (LV) 2000+
   Memtest86 reports: Athlon XP (0.13) 1526 MHz
      Memory: 992M 460 MB/s
      Chipset: VIA KM400
Screen: 1024 x 768 Pixel
Graphics card: VIA/S3G UniChrome Graphics: VIA Technologies VT8378 [S3 UniChrome] Integrated Video (rev 01)

Note: Kubuntu 8.0.4 runs fine on this hardware.

[Franz Apeltauer (franz-apeltauer)]

Same problem with the Karmic desktop RC.

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Please build/install the latest openchrome driver and enable debug mode.
The detail build instruction for Ubuntu/Debian is available at:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OpenChrome

Attach your /var/log/Xorg.0.log file.
If you can from after reproducing this issue (or /var/log/Xorg.0.log.old).

[Bryce Harrington (bryce)]

Hi franz-apeltauer,

Thanks for including the attached files. Could you also include your /var/log/Xorg.0.log (or Xorg.0.log.old) from after reproducing the issue?

[This is an automated message. Apologies if it has reached you inappropriately; please just reply to this message indicating so.]

[Franz Apeltauer (franz-apeltauer)]

The above log is from 8.04, because I do not have a usable kubuntu 9.10 yet. Maybe the debug output still helps, even though the error does not occur there. I will add the 9.10 X.log as soon as possible.

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Try to run without "kdm".

For example start Ubuntu only in text mode, and type "startx"

Or

Run Ubuntu 9.04 with GNOME.

Or.

Run KDE via "gdm"

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

This bug is very similar to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-openchrome/+bug/446316

[Franz Apeltauer (franz-apeltauer)]

Installed ubuntu-desktop and switched to gdm. Runs fine!

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Please attach the Xorg.0.log file from successfull run.

Try also add "NoAccel" option to xorg.conf file. Is it helps?

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Please check if this bug exists on the openchrome revision 798.

You can jump between releases, by typing command:

  svn update -r798

More information is available at:
http://www.openchrome.org/trac/ticket/333

[Franz Apeltauer (franz-apeltauer)]

The bug already exists in openchrome revision 798.

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

The problem appears between openchrome svn713 (Ubuntu Jaunty) and svn758 (Ubuntu Karmic Koala).

Please check in which revision this problem appeared.

You can jump between releases, by typing command:

  svn update -r730

More information is available at:
http://www.openchrome.org/trac/ticket/333

It will be very useful in resolve this problem.

[Franz Apeltauer (franz-apeltauer)]

It looks like there is no version, that works completely without problems on my video card:
713 up to 737 report that they find the screen, but no usable configuration.
738 is the first version, that starts up. But after some moments of splash screen the login screen appears again, when I use kdm and KDE without "NoAccel" option. This also happens with 740 and even with today's version 816.
816 works fine with kdm and GNOME.

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Check if this error still exists on the previous kernel (Linux 2.6.28-16-generic) from Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty.

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Try to disable DRI.

I created the patch which disable DRI (it use swrast instead)

Check if it works for you.
The detail build instruction for Ubuntu/Debian is available at:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/OpenChrome

Attach your /var/log/Xorg.0.log file.

[Franz Apeltauer (franz-apeltauer)]

Yes, now it works fine for me.
Thank you very much!

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Try to enable New mode switch by adding "Option ModeSwitchMethod new" to your xorg.conf file (with disabled DRI).
Is it working correctly for your chipset?

Attach your /var/log/Xorg.0.log file.

[Franz Apeltauer (franz-apeltauer)]

Unfortunately I cannot send you the Xorg.0.log for "Option ModeSwitchMethod new". When this option is set, then the PC crashes right after kdm starts. No response to any key or mouse movement, not even Alt-SysReq-...
After rebooting with ModeSwitchMethod commented out, the Xorg.0.log.old contains only garbage (parts of dmesg, parts of a cups log, ...)

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Hi.
Try to enable DRI and turn off AIGLX.
To do it add to your xorg.conf file in ServerFlags section option to turn off AIGLX

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

You can disable AIGLX and the compositing extension by amending your /etc/X11/xorg.conf like this:

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "AIGLX" "off"
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Can you check the output of ~/.xsession-errors for anything interesting (with DRI and AIGLX enabled)?

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Try also set 16 bit depth and check if it helps

[Franz Apeltauer (franz-apeltauer)]

Hi,
I ran "svn update" to get the current openchrome rev. 825 and to undo your disable-DRI patch, then
appended the 2 sections from #36 to my xorg.conf.
It works fine for me! Thank you!

[Franz Apeltauer (franz-apeltauer)]

With AIGLX and Composite re-enabled, KDE fails right after login and returns me to the login screen.

[Franz Apeltauer (franz-apeltauer)]

... and during kdm startup the screen was dotted black and white irregularly (not the standard X background) with some color spots. After some seconds the login screen appeared.

[Franz Apeltauer (franz-apeltauer)]

Adding this to my Screen section did not help:
        SubSection "Display"
           Depth 16
        EndSubSection
KDE immediately returns me to the login screen.

Also the black and white dots are still there during kdm startup. It looks like distorted text from the console, moving upwards 'line by line'.

[Daniel60 (webmaster-epanouissance)]

Hello,

Exactly the same issue with Kubuntu Live CD :

"When I boot the karmic Koala beta Desktop CD, the KDE splash screen loops.
During the first loop all icons appear up to the [K]. Then the screen turns black and the KDE splash screen starts over, displaying the first icon. From now on it loops endlessly: 1st icon - black screen - 1st icon ...
Probably the X server crashes again and again.
No response to keyboard or mouse except the following keys:
Ctrl-Alt-F1 (does not display text terminal #1 as expected, but weird blocks of color).
Ctrl-Alt-F7 returns me to the KDE splash screen loop"

I think KDE won't work with my computer 'standard' chipset which is Via s3g Unichrome IGP KM400/KN400/P4M800[S3 Unichrome]
Note that is ok with Gnome version.

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

@Daniel60
Try to turn on the Ubuntu Backports and upgrade KDE to 4.3.4

Attach your ~/.xsession-errors file

[Daniel60 (webmaster-epanouissance)]

How do I do whith a Kunbutu 9.10 CD Live ?

[Bartosz Kosiorek (gang65)]

Here you have information how to enable backports:
http://www.addictivetips.com/ubuntu-linux-tips/how-to-enable-backports-in-ubuntu-linux/

Don't forget about attach your ~/.xsession-errors file