[SOLVED] 2012.02 LiveCD or installed: random black screen

[kjpetrie]

http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/manual/legacy/Invoking-grub_002dset_002ddefault.html

[Trio3b]

Just when I thought maybe the pclos2012-kde iso burn was bad...

Tried Mageia 1-kde LiveCd in the Toshiba . Same thing. crash into BSWM. Very strange. Somehow was able to get a GUI konsole but nothing else.

Tried the pclos2012-kde disc in Dell GX270 with Intel 82xx graphics - same thing. crash into BSWM.  Was able to start new sessions but not startx. message was:
"xserver already active on display 0. If this server is no longe running, remove /tmp/.X0-lock "

"xinit: unable to connect to X server : Connection refused"
"xinit: server error"

 



I think there's something going on with KDE windowing stuff.

Am currently trying out pclos - lxde and phoenix editions. on both Toshiba and the GX270.
lxde 2010.12 mini with 2.6.33.7 kernel seems to be ok
lxde 2012.01 -  with 2.6.38.x just booted into BSWM

So far pclos2012-kde on the compaq CQ50 seems fine. Go figure.

[Trio3b]

Thoroughly confused:

compaq cq50 with fully updated 2011-kde (using kernel 2.6.38.8 -pclos1)- Could have sworn I removed xorg.conf but it's still there, however checking "configure your graphics card" in PCC,  message is "Your Xorg config file is broken, we will ignore it."  This laptop is running perfectly - no crashes

xorg.conf is very short:

Code: [Select]

# File generated by XFdrake (rev 262502)

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the xorg.conf man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerFlags"
    Option "DontZap" "False" # disable <Ctrl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
    AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse does not work
    #DontZoom # disable <Ctrl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
EndSection

Section "Module"
    Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "device1"
    Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
    Identifier "layout1"
EndSection


also thought I deleted xorg.conf on this Toshiba A305 but here it is:

Code: [Select]

# File generated by XFdrake (rev 262502)

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the xorg.conf man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerFlags"
    Option "DontZap" "False" # disable <Ctrl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
    AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse does not work
    #DontZoom # disable <Ctrl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
EndSection

Section "Module"
    Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "monitor1"
    VendorName "Generic"
    ModelName "Flat Panel 1280x800"
    HorizSync 31.5-50.0
    VertRefresh 56.0-65.0
    
    # Monitor preferred modeline (60.0 Hz vsync, 48.9 kHz hsync, ratio 16/10, 98 dpi)
    ModeLine "1280x800" 69.3 1280 1328 1352 1416 800 803 809 816 -hsync -vsync
    
    # TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
    # 768x576 @ 79 Hz, 50 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "768x576"     50.00  768  832  846 1000   576  590  595  630
    
    # 768x576 @ 100 Hz, 61.6 kHz hsync
    ModeLine "768x576"     63.07  768  800  960 1024   576  578  590  616
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x800_120"  181.21  1280 1376 1520 1760  800 801 804 858  -HSync +Vsync
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x800_100"  147.89  1280 1376 1512 1744  800 801 804 848  -HSync +Vsync
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x800_85"  123.38  1280 1368 1504 1728  800 801 804 840  -HSync +Vsync
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x800_75"  107.21  1280 1360 1496 1712  800 801 804 835  -HSync +Vsync
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x800_60"  83.46  1280 1344 1480 1680  800 801 804 828  -HSync +Vsync
    
    # modeline generated by gtf(1) [handled by XFdrake]
    ModeLine "1280x800_50"  68.56  1280 1336 1472 1664  800 801 804 824  -HSync +Vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "device1"
    Driver "intel"
    Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "screen1"
    Device "device1"
    Monitor "monitor1"
    DefaultColorDepth 24
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 8
        Modes "1280x800"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 15
        Modes "1280x800"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 16
        Modes "1280x800"
    EndSubsection
    
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth 24
        Modes "1280x800"
    EndSubsection


Here is lspci -vv for graphics of both laptops:

compaq:

Code: [Select]

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 07) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
        Subsystem: Hewlett-Packard Company Device 360b
        Control: I/O+ Mem+ BusMaster+ SpecCycle- MemWINV- VGASnoop- ParErr- Stepping- SERR- FastB2B- DisINTx+
        Status: Cap+ 66MHz- UDF- FastB2B+ ParErr- DEVSEL=fast >TAbort- <TAbort- <MAbort- >SERR- <PERR- INTx-
        Latency: 0
        Interrupt: pin A routed to IRQ 45
        Region 0: Memory at 90000000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4M]
        Region 2: Memory at 80000000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
        Region 4: I/O ports at 5110 [size=8]
        Expansion ROM at <unassigned> [disabled]
        Capabilities: [90] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit-
                Address: fee0100c  Data: 41a1
        Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 3
                Flags: PMEClk- DSI+ D1- D2- AuxCurrent=0mA PME(D0-,D1-,D2-,D3hot-,D3cold-)
                Status: D0 NoSoftRst- PME-Enable- DSel=0 DScale=0 PME-
        Kernel driver in use: i915
        Kernel modules: i915

00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 07)
        Subsystem: Hewlett-Packard Company Device 360b
        Control: I/O+ Mem+ BusMaster+ SpecCycle- MemWINV- VGASnoop- ParErr- Stepping- SERR- FastB2B- DisINTx-
        Status: Cap+ 66MHz- UDF- FastB2B+ ParErr- DEVSEL=fast >TAbort- <TAbort- <MAbort- >SERR- <PERR- INTx-
        Latency: 0
        Region 0: Memory at 92500000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1M]
        Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 3
                Flags: PMEClk- DSI+ D1- D2- AuxCurrent=0mA PME(D0-,D1-,D2-,D3hot-,D3cold-)
                Status: D0 NoSoftRst- PME-Enable- DSel=0 DScale=0 PME-


glxinfo for both laptops shows:

OpenGL renderer string: Mesa DRI Mobile Intel® GM45 Express Chipset x86/MMX/SSE2

 

[Trio3b]

Reliance upon memory is a strange thing. I thought I had set this Toshiba up like the compaq but according to my notes ( which I found and can barely read) , apparently not so.

So far no crashes for the past 8 hrs on the Toshiba with the following:

1. using xorg drivers rather than the Intel 810 and later even though PCC shows the Intel vendor drivers in use
2. no xorg.conf file

If this continues for a few days I will be able to mark as solved.

[UPDATE] According to chickenscratch notes, apparently I HAD tried the xorg drivers last summer but can't find  where I ran with no xorg although since I had been trying it on the compaq, there's a good chance I did on the Toshiba as well. In addition, it's possible that the newer pclos3 kernel (as opposed to the pclos1 kernel on compaq) addresses some goofy hdwr issues peculiar to toshiba.

[UPDATE 2]- All OK until this morning . Booted into black screen. I am 10,000% positive there was no xorg.conf on this laptop last night and now there is a very short "broken" one. Something  (apparently XFdrake) is auto generating an xorg.conf. , so my notes were reasonably accurate.

/var/log/explanations appears to show that XFdrake is indeed auto generating an xorg.conf file.
Feb 26 00:25:54 localhost XFdrake[5477]: ### Program is starting ###
Feb 26 00:25:55 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: /bin/rpm -q --qf %{name}  task-x11
Feb 26 00:25:56 localhost XFdrake[5477]: launched command: mount /proc 2>/dev/null
Feb 26 00:25:56 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: usb_id /devices/platform/i8042/serio1/input/input1
Feb 26 00:25:56 localhost XFdrake[5477]: removed files/directories /etc/X11/xinit.d/mouse_buttons
Feb 26 00:25:56 localhost XFdrake[5477]: removed files/directories /etc/X11/xinit.d/xpad
Feb 26 00:25:56 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: monitor-edid -v --perl --try-in-console
Feb 26 00:26:21 localhost XFdrake[5477]: Xconfig::card: Vendor|Intel 810 and later manually chosen
Feb 26 00:26:21 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: /bin/rpm -q --qf %{name}  x11-driver-video-intel
Feb 26 00:26:21 localhost XFdrake[5477]: removed files/directories /etc/ld.so.conf.d/nvidia.conf
Feb 26 00:26:21 localhost XFdrake[5477]: removed files/directories /etc/ld.so.conf.d/nvidia_legacy.conf
Feb 26 00:26:21 localhost XFdrake[5477]: removed files/directories /etc/ld.so.conf.d/ati.conf
Feb 26 00:26:21 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: update-alternatives --set gl_conf /etc/ld.so.conf.d/GL/standard.conf
Feb 26 00:26:21 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: dmidecode
Feb 26 00:26:31 localhost XFdrake[5477]: modified file /etc/inittab
Feb 26 00:26:52 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: gtf 1280 800 120
Feb 26 00:26:52 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: gtf 1280 800 100
Feb 26 00:26:52 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: gtf 1280 800 85
Feb 26 00:26:52 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: gtf 1280 800 75
Feb 26 00:26:52 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: gtf 1280 800 60
Feb 26 00:26:52 localhost XFdrake[5477]: running: gtf 1280 800 50
Feb 26 00:26:52 localhost XFdrake[5477]: the graphics card does not like X in framebuffer
Feb 26 00:26:52 localhost XFdrake[5477]: moved file /etc/X11/xorg.conf to /etc/X11/xorg.conf.old
Feb 26 00:26:52 localhost XFdrake[5477]: created file /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Feb 26 00:26:54 localhost XFdrake[5477]: ### Program is exiting ###

kdm.log shows:

FATAL: Module fbcon not found.
klauncher(9147) kdemain: No DBUS session-bus found. Check if you have started the DBUS server.
kdeinit4: Communication error with launcher. Exiting!
kdmgreet(9141)/kdecore (K*TimeZone*): KSystemTimeZones: ktimezoned initialize() D-Bus call failed:  "Not connected to D-Bus server"

[UPDATE 3] Was able to append "i915.modeset=1" and make it stick thru PCC boot utility. Still cannot edit and save menu.lst as root via CL. Setting the default is not the problem. appending the modeset is.

Also, PCC apparently is not letting me try Xorg Intel drivers. I have tried via PCC and also using "drakconf" and xorg.conf shows Intel drivers in use. When I try to select Xorg drivers and remove xorg.conf , I am not sure whether lsmod i915 module is referring to Intel or Xorg drivers.

rm -f /etc/X11/xorg.conf
XFdrake --auto
reboot

definitely gives me windowing crashes.

Also, on the compaq, even when I remove xorg.conf , it is being regenerated but the system is ignoring it and all is fine.

[UPDATE4] Just had black screen while scrolling with the i915.modeset=1 boot option.

Removed this option, deleted xorg.conf and used PCC to select xorg "intel", then rebooted. lspci -vv shows i915 kernel module in use. Does this mean the Intel i915 or the xorg i915?  How do I force the xorg intel drivers?

Apparently x is working but window management is not, so will change thread title.

Thanks

[Trio3b]

As of 03-05-2012 adding i915.modeset=1 has given several crashes. Don't know what to call them KDM crashes, plasma crashes.

Have tried removing .kde4.

Noticed in PCC under "setup boot" I checked the modify kernel option and while the i915.modeset=1 was still appended to the boot line something had written nokmsboot so my options look like this :

2.6.38-8pclos3 quiet nokmsboot i915.modeset=1

Also when I Ctrl+ Alt+ Fn to another session, login  and try to startx x, error is display 0 is already running. If I try to "startkde" message is :
$DISPLAY is not set or cannot connect to x display

last kdm.log is :

Code: [Select]

X.Org X Server 1.10.4
Release Date: 2011-08-19
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
Build Operating System: Linux_2.6.38.8-pclos3.pae.bfs PCLinuxOS
Current Operating System: Linux localhost.localdomain 2.6.38.8-pclos3.bfs #1 SMP PREEMPT Fri Jul 8 18:01:30 CDT 2011 i686
Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=2.6.38.8-pclos3.bfs root=UUID=e52b0ad2-cea1-4748-9d29-c45424aee303 quiet nokmsboot i915.modeset=1
Build Date: 22 September 2011  10:12:37PM

Current version of pixman: 0.24.0
        Before reporting problems, check http://pclinuxos.com
        to make sure that you have the latest version.
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
        (++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
        (WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Mon Mar  5 22:34:44 2012
(==) Using config directory: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d"
FATAL: Module fbcon not found.
klauncher(1098) kdemain: No DBUS session-bus found. Check if you have started the DBUS server.
kdeinit4: Communication error with launcher. Exiting!
kdmgreet(1074)/kdecore (K*TimeZone*): KSystemTimeZones: ktimezoned initialize() D-Bus call failed:  "Not connected to D-Bus server"

Occasionally this "crash" happens before login screen appears, or while login screen has sat unused for several minutes or sometimes it happens after GUI login but before desktop is reached.

Is it possible the D-bus server is not ready before plasma/kde launches? At this point the i915 line has been removed and am still running no xorg.conf. Also have renamed .kde4 twice and changed kwinrc compositing from enabled =true to false as per many threads. Desktop effects disabled as well/

I have read some stuff about phonon-vlc causing problems and removing /var/tmp/kdecache<username> but this all seems to be going nowhere.

Any ideas appreciated.

[Trio3b]

rm -f /etc/X11/xorg.conf>, XFdrake --auto>, reboot >gives blackscreen

i915.modeset=1 option gives blackscreen

nokmsboot option gives blackscreen

currently running with no xorg.conf

have rename ~.kde4 several times and altered kwinrc

created new user and seems better but I still get boot to black screen BEFORE login as well as AFTER login with both users and theis is all RANDOM. Cannot reproduce reliably but happens about every 5-6 Boots and occassionally with little or NO CPU usage. usually just simple scroll or sometimes don't touch anything..  kdm.logs still show dBus not connected errors.
Beginning to suspect hdwr problem.


Have tried loading xorg intel drivers 2 ways:

1 via PCC
2. via XFdrake in console mode at boot

Code: [Select]

lspci -vv shows:

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 07) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
        Subsystem: Toshiba America Info Systems Device ff1e
        Control: I/O+ Mem+ BusMaster+ SpecCycle- MemWINV- VGASnoop- ParErr- Stepping- SERR- FastB2B- DisINTx+
        Status: Cap+ 66MHz- UDF- FastB2B+ ParErr- DEVSEL=fast >TAbort- <TAbort- <MAbort- >SERR- <PERR- INTx-
        Latency: 0
        Interrupt: pin A routed to IRQ 47
        Region 0: Memory at d0000000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4M]
        Region 2: Memory at c0000000 (64-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
        Region 4: I/O ports at 5110 [size=8]
        Expansion ROM at <unassigned> [disabled]
        Capabilities: [90] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit-
                Address: fee0300c  Data: 41a9
        Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 3
                Flags: PMEClk- DSI+ D1- D2- AuxCurrent=0mA PME(D0-,D1-,D2-,D3hot-,D3cold-)
                Status: D0 NoSoftRst- PME-Enable- DSel=0 DScale=0 PME-
        Kernel driver in use: i915
        Kernel modules: i915

I believe i915 refers to the Intel drivers. I guess the kernel keeps loading Intel i915 drivers no matter what. It has been recommended not to blacklist Intel i915 drivers but I need to try them out. Followed several tutorials but no luck . i915 keep getting loaded.

 How can I get Xorg Intel drivers loaded to try them out?
 Any help appreciated.
Thanks

[Trio3b]

UPDATE 1: Found out laptop charger was underpowered ( correct voltage but insufficient amps).  Acquired correct AC charger and still no go. Had a couple crashes.

UPDATE 2: installed task-lxde to see if this was a KDE specific issue but this morning booted into black screen, so there's something else going on.

 Logged into another terminal and "plasma-desktop"
returns> KuniqueApllication cannot find D-Busserver:unable to launch a dbus-daemon without $Display for X11

Other messages in /var/log/Xorg.0.log

FATAL : module fbcon not found
or "kdmgreet: etc.etc:ktimezoned:initialize D-Bus call failed: could not connect to D-Bus server"

There are other messages in /var/log/messages:

 kdm: "could not find /var/lib/kdm" ( found kdm in /usr/bin - maybe this is a problem)

or referring to a non-PAE kernel such as "MSI interrupts found in /proc/interrupts you need to update your kernel"

This laptop calls for 4gb RAM max but is only loaded with 3 gb.. Maybe should try the PAE kernel.

Thanks

[kjpetrie]

I think that

Code: [Select]

kdm: "could not find /var/lib/kdm" message might be significant as I don't normally get it but my KDE/X got into a state earlier today where KDE would stop loading after the HD icon and that message started to appear in the logs. The file isn't there and presumably isn't meant to be there, but the fact KDM is looking for it might point to what's going wrong. In my case I cured the problem by rebooting but that obviously isn't the case for you.

Could be you have a race condition which depends on the order in which things start.

Maybe someone else will know what this means.

[Trio3b]

Yes, that sounds plausible. Just had so much focus on KDE/kdm ( have to assume kdm takes over at login) but with it happening before login that may mean something else entirely.

Am trying the PAE kernel and will look into the /usr/lib/kdm issue as well. Several messages implicate dbus server, so  that's another option as well.

This same Intel Mobile 4 chipset works fine in the compaq CQ50 but this Toshiba may have a peculiar hdwr/sftwr combination that is not happy. Am going to give the pae kernel a shot for a few days.

Thanks

[Trio3b]

UPDATE: Back to KDE for now. I don't seem to have the crashes with lxde but don't know yet. Spent most of the afternoon off and on tinkering.

pae.bfs kernel crashed with and without i915.modeset=1 option
just loaded Xorg intel driver via XFdrake in  text mode - crash. The Xorg and the i915 Intel drivers under device in xorg.conf are BOTH called :

driver "intel"

It's very deceptive. No wonder it's hard to tell what's loaded. I had to copy the previous xorg.conf and compare it to xorg.conf after loading the Xorg intel drivers. I can only assume that XFdrake is correctly loading whichever drivers I specify. Also XFdrake is auto generating xorg.conf sometime after I remove it to try the configuration WITHOUT an xorg.conf file. Don't know why that is. I know it does run without one but when it is being generated i don't know.Aslo, still can't figure out if or how KDM is causing crashes before login as well as during a session.

OK, another clue. Just had another crash. Been tinkering logging into and out of other terminals F(1,2,3) . Cannot launch anything- error is cannot connect to x-server or x-sesrver already running . It never occured to me to try #8. If I hit Ctrl+Alt+F8 I have display and session back with FF and console open just where I left them.

What?? I guess this means that x and everything else is still running, but the display is freaking out and kicking session off. Next time this happens I'll see if Ctrl+alt+F8 is still running a desktop.

[MORE CLUES] Ctrl+Alt+F(1-6) give a login terminal

F(7) gives me what appears to be a text boot screen that is hung at "starting display manager"

F( 8 ) returns me to current GUI session as described

Any ideas appreciated.

[Hootiegibbon]

Trio3b,

I am not sure about others attempting to follow this thread , but it stopped making sense to me some time ago.

I suspect you are teh cause of your issues.

Stop removing xorg.conf - XFdrake creates one for a reason, it stops the unnecessary re-probing and potentially applying bad settings if a piece of hardware is mis-reporting its abilities to the kernel

Stop adding additional hardware (ie a second or third laptop) to the thread it confuses teh issue (if there is one)

You need to stop telling a narrative, and start giving some (relative) information

One issue one set of hardware one thread.

Start again stating clearly what the actual issue is on one laptop

include a clear explanation of the  issue

include the result of lspci |grep -i vga

post both dmesg and a copy of xorg.conf over at pastebin.com and link back here

Thanks

Jase

[Trio3b]

Stop adding additional hardware (ie a second or third laptop) to the thread it confuses teh issue (if there is one) .

Just thought it might be relevant to note  compaq laptop with same graphics was not experiencing problems. I have not added a third hardware nor posted any outputs or error messages from that second laptop.

Start again stating clearly what the actual issue is on one laptop

Can only describe in nontech terms as random non-reproducable "crashes" into a black screen with working mouse. Sometimes before login, sometimes during session.

include the result of lspci |grep -i vga

post both dmesg and a copy of xorg.conf over at pastebin.com and link back here

[user02@localhost ~]$ lspci |grep -i vga
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 4 Series Chipset Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 07)


dmesg and xorg.conf here -> http://pastebin.com/48eK7uCV

Thanks

[Hootiegibbon]

I should be able to look in detail at the dmesg a little later tonight.

On the liveCD there is a boot menu choice called Memtest, run that for at least an hour and see if it picks up any bad RAM in play.

The Xserver should be intel so thats ok (intel is a bit like the ati xserver in that its a wrapper for both the xorg and intel xservers) by that name.

Post back with them memtest results

Jase

[Trio3b]

memtest: 3gb Samsung DDR2

about 3 hrs, 4 passes - no errors

[Trio3b]

Crash today 040612 WITH Xorg.conf. No activity. Logged in and sitting there. No screensaver running

Possibly relevant files:

dmesg (today) -> http://pastebin.com/VzxBAvTu

Xorg.0.log  -> http://pastebin.com/DbgwvVr3

syslog -> http://pastebin.com/9NwQY4S9

.xsession-errors -> http://pastebin.com/se1B0wjM

kdm.log -> http://pastebin.com/mNhBWmjZ