[i945] Installer X server startup fails

Bug #62002 reported by aspa
32
Affects Status Importance Assigned to Milestone
xorg (Baltix)
Invalid
Undecided
Unassigned
xorg (Ubuntu)
Fix Released
High
Unassigned
Nominated for Feisty by fantasai
Gutsy
Fix Released
High
Unassigned
xserver-xorg-video-i810 (Ubuntu)
Invalid
Undecided
Unassigned
Nominated for Feisty by fantasai

Bug Description

i'm trying to install Edgy Eft Knot 3 on a Dell Latitude D620.

when i boot the installation CD (desktop-i386.iso), the installation fails because the X server is unable to start.

Windows Device Manager reports that the display adapter is a Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset Family.

here're the error messages issued by the installer:

"Failed to start the X server (your graphical interface). It is likely that it is not set up correctly. Would you like to view the X server output to diagnose the problem?

X Window System Version 7.1.1
Release Date: 12 May 2006
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0, Release 7.1.1
Build Operating System:Linux 2.6.15.7 i686
Current Operating System: Linux ubuntu 2.6.17-7-generic #2 SMP Wed Sep 6 17:56:40 UTC 2006 i686
Build Date: 07 July 2006
 Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
 to make sure that you have the latest version.
Module Loader present
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from the 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: Sat Sep 23 14:18:45 2006
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
(WW) I810: No matching Device section for instance (BusID PCI:0:2:1) found
(EE) I810(0): No Video BIOS modes for chosen depth.
(EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration.

Fatal server error:
no screens found"

i verified the CD checksum and it checks out ok.

Related branches

Revision history for this message
aspa (marko-asplund) wrote :

here's some more info from detailed X server output:

...
(II) I810: Driver for Intel Integrated Graphics Chipsets: i810, i810-dc100,
 i810e, i815, i830M, 845G, 852GM/855GM, 865G, 915G, E7221(i915),
915GM, 945G, 945GM, 965G, 965G, 965Q, 946GZ
(II) Primary Device is: PCI 00:02:0
(WW) I810: No matching Device section for instance (BusID PCI:0:2:1) found
(--) Chipset 945GM found
 ...
(**) I810(0): Depth 16, (--) framebuffer bpp 16
(==) I810(0): RGB weight 565
(==) I810(0): Default visual is TrueColor
...
(II) I810(0): Display Info: LFP (local flat panel): attached: TRUE, present: TRUE, size: (1440, 900)

Revision history for this message
aspa (marko-asplund) wrote :

here's the X server log file from failed startup.

Revision history for this message
aspa (marko-asplund) wrote :

here's the X server config file.

Revision history for this message
aspa (marko-asplund) wrote :

the same thing happens with Ubuntu 6.10 beta.

the above log file and config file are from the beta release.

Revision history for this message
Brandon Hale (brandon) wrote :

X does not fall back to a usable resolution on the Intel 945 in Dell d620 and drops to blue screen.
This requires 915resolution or potentially X modesetting branch.
I have set the importance to High for feisty as it causes Ubuntu to be unusable out of the box.

Changed in xorg:
importance: Undecided → High
status: Unconfirmed → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Beach Cruise (dodden) wrote :

Note that the Dell D620 will install the 6.06 Dapper Drake version, but in going to 6.10 Edgy Efh stops with the XServer error. Going back to 6.06 now.

Revision history for this message
Juan Pablo Salazar Bertín (snifer) wrote :

Same here in my Dell Inspiron 9400 (Intel 945GM + 1440x900 LCD screen).
I was able to boot in graphical mode using "safe graphics mode" in Dapper, but it no longer works in Edgy or Fesity Herd 1.
When monitor sync ranges are defined in xorg.conf, it boots in some usable resolution (1024x768 in my case).

Revision history for this message
Tim Kersten (timkersten) wrote :

I have the exact same problem with a Dell 640m (Intel 945GM + 1440x900 lcd).
Ubuntu Edgy and currently Feisty too are unusable out of the box.

Revision history for this message
Marco Cimmino (cimmo) wrote :

Same here with kubuntu edgy 6.10 and a very simple CRT monitor 15": Sampo AlphaScan 511

Revision history for this message
Markus (god-quaid) wrote :

same here with:
- Feisty Daily-Live Build 20070301
- DELL Inspiron 6400
- ATI Mobility Radeon X1400.

it always says: No Screens found.

even if i copy working xorg.conf from my other ubuntu feisty partition.
it simply does not work.

Revision history for this message
Markus (god-quaid) wrote :

ok i worked around this issue.

first i removed fglrx from the disabled modules in
/etc/default/linux-restricted-modules-common
and then i installed fglrx
sudo apt-get install xorg-driver-fglrx
and edited the xorg.conf file.

i used this howto:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/ATI

Revision history for this message
Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton) wrote :

can you try Feisty Herd5 if the issue is the same?

Changed in xorg:
status: Confirmed → Needs Info
Revision history for this message
Markus (god-quaid) wrote :

I already tried Herd 5 and it has the same issue

Revision history for this message
Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton) wrote :

hm ok.. it didn't have the new driver yet, so Feisty beta could work when it comes out.

Revision history for this message
Eugenia Loli-Queru (eloli) wrote :

was this fixed? I received a new laptop yesterday and used the latest dev version of ubuntu and i couldn't get into X with safe mode or without. I had to configure xorg manually to get me up and running.

Revision history for this message
Tim Kersten (timkersten) wrote : Re: [Bug 62002] Re: Installer X server startup fails

I believe the new drivers are still not included so, no, it was not fixed.
Correct me if I'm wrong. If I get a chance I'll make a video of the process.
I meant to do it last week, but I've been so busy with college I just
haven't had a chance.

Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton)
Changed in xorg:
status: Needs Info → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Markus (god-quaid) wrote : Re: Installer X server startup fails

why got the affected package changed?
i have this bug and do not have a intel i810 graphic card.
i have an ati radeon mobility x1400.

so this bug affects xorg i think. and not only xserver-xorg-driver-i810

Revision history for this message
Markus (god-quaid) wrote :

sorry i clicked some wrong button.
i don't know if this one affects Baltix.
so this can be removed from the affected packages.
SORRY

Revision history for this message
Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton) wrote :

the failures are usually card/driver-specific, so if you have issues with your card please open (or search for) another bug.

Changed in xorg:
status: Unconfirmed → Rejected
Revision history for this message
Eugenia Loli-Queru (eloli) wrote :

A friend of mine got the same crash on his Dell Latitude laptop just last night when trying to install Feisty (I have an Inspiron, it's not the same laptop as his). It seems that ubuntu's X will crash if the LCD is widescreen, e.g. 1440x900.

Please note that the 915resolution was NOT needed in our case to make it work. Instead, we had to manually edit the v/hsync of the monitor in the xorg.conf. In my case and my friend's, the following numbers worked for us:
        HorizSync 30-80
        VertRefresh 60-70

I hope a fixed driver or X is uploaded before the release of Feisty, because this seems to affect a lot of users, particularly DELL widescreen laptop uses.

Revision history for this message
Eugenia Loli-Queru (eloli) wrote :

Any news on this? I am supposed to write a new final review when Feisty is out, and I will be using the same laptop for my review. Please fix this bug in time or request more info.

Revision history for this message
Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton) wrote :

I'll look into this. There are some workarounds for similar problems in xserver-xorg.postinst, so it shouldn't be that hard

Changed in xserver-xorg-video-i810:
assignee: nobody → tepsipakki
Revision history for this message
Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton) wrote :

Ok, all you Intel card owners please attach the output of 'sudo lspci -vvnn' and 'sudo xresprobe i810'. Getting xserver-xorg.postinst to write the monitor sync ranges is trivial, but that needs the correct string to the list, which now looks like this:

    if [ "$DEVICE_DRIVER" = "i810" ]; then
      # and i810, but *not* i830
      if [ "$DISPLAY_TYPE" = "lcd/lvds" ]; then
        if [ "$DEVICE_IDENTIFIER" = "Intel Corporation 82810 CGC [Chipset Graphics Controller]" ] || \
           [ "$DEVICE_IDENTIFIER" = "Intel Corporation 82810 DC-100 CGC [Chipset Graphics Controller]" ] || \
           [ "$DEVICE_IDENTIFIER" = "Intel Corporation 82810E DC-133 CGC [Chipset Graphics Controller]" ] || \
           [ "$DEVICE_IDENTIFIER" = "Intel Corporation 82852/855GM Integrated Graphics Device" ] || \
           [ "$DEVICE_IDENTIFIER" = "Intel Corporation 82815 CGC [Chipset Graphics Controller]" ]; then
          MONITOR_SYNC_RANGES="yes"
          debug_echo "i810 laptop chipset detected; writing sync ranges"
        fi
      fi
    fi

Revision history for this message
Tim Kersten (timkersten) wrote :

That is most excellent news!! Thank you :-)
My lspci output attached!

My xresprobe output:

id:
res: 1440x900
freq:
disptype: lcd/lvds

Revision history for this message
Juan Pablo Salazar Bertín (snifer) wrote :

My lspci and xresprobe attached.

Revision history for this message
Eugenia Loli-Queru (eloli) wrote :

lscpi attached. My xresprobe is the same as the guys' above. It seems that we all have 1400x900 screens, although the bug also happens on 1280x800 and 1600x1080.

Revision history for this message
Maksim Lin (maksim) wrote :

lspci and xresprobe output attached as requested.
jsut for the reocrd mine is a Dell 640m with a intel 945 and 1440x900 LCD and I see exactly the same X failure on feisty herd 5 desktop CD boot as reported by others.

Revision history for this message
Josh Davis (joshua-a-davis) wrote :

lspci output attached and this is my xresprobe:

id:
res:
freq:
disptype: lcd/lvds

This is for a Dell E1705 with an ATI Mobility x1400. I'm wondering if this is related to the immediate "cannot open display" crash when trying to start a XGL session.

Revision history for this message
Nathan Wiebe (nwiebe) wrote :

Here's another Intel graphics owner with output from lspci and xresprobe.

Output of 'xresprobe i810' is:
id:
res: 1440x900
freq:
disptype: lcd/lvds
depth: 16

Revision history for this message
Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton) wrote :

This is fixed with this upload, thanks for all the help:

 xorg (1:7.2-0ubuntu9) feisty; urgency=low
 .
   [ Colin Watson ]
   * debian/xserver-xorg.config.in: Improve expr return code handling in
     validate_nice_value (the right way this time); don't use run function
     when we need to check db_input's return value (LP: #68267).
 .
   [ Timo Aaltonen ]
   * debian/xserver-xorg.postinst.in: Intel Mobile 945GM needs sync ranges
     (LP: #62002)

Changed in xorg:
importance: Undecided → High
status: Unconfirmed → Fix Released
Changed in xserver-xorg-video-i810:
assignee: tepsipakki → nobody
importance: High → Undecided
status: Confirmed → Rejected
Revision history for this message
Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton) wrote :

Josh: your hardware is different, but the new vesa-driver should work nicely with your card. If not, please file a new bug.

Revision history for this message
Juan Pablo Salazar Bertín (snifer) wrote :

Should this work after upgrading? Because it's not working for me. No sync ranges in my xorg.conf.

Revision history for this message
Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton) wrote :

No, you need to run 'sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg' to regenerate the xorg.conf.

Revision history for this message
Tim Kersten (timkersten) wrote : Re: [Bug 62002] Re: Installer X server startup fails

On 3/27/07, Juan Pablo Salazar Bertín <email address hidden> wrote:
> Should this work after upgrading? Because it's not working for me. No
> sync ranges in my xorg.conf.

It worked for me. You may need to reconfigure xserver-xorg so that
your config file gets updated. Use the following command:

 sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

After this, just restart X and it should work. You will still need
915resolution for getting your widescreen resolution 1440x900 or
1280x800 to work, but 1024x768 will now work out of the box.

Revision history for this message
Tim Kersten (timkersten) wrote : Thanks!!

Oops, I missed your reply Timo :-P

Just wanted to say thank you so much! I can finally hook up my laptop to a projector in college now! They only work with 1024x768, and now that resolution works perfectly for me. Thanks! It's nice to be able to do all my presentations on ubuntu now :-)

Revision history for this message
Timo Aaltonen (tjaalton) wrote :
Download full text (5.7 KiB)

xorg (1:7.2-3ubuntu1) gutsy; urgency=low

  * Merge from Debian unstable. Remaining changes:
    - debian/control, debian/scripts/vars.sparc, debian/rules:
      + Makes xorg Architecture: any and use an extra variable
        to not Depends on type-handling.
    - debian/control:
      + Keep meta-packages for xbase-clients, xutils.
      + Change the Maintainer-field.
      + Add replaces for xinit since we now ship Xsession from x11-common.
        Ditto for xrgb as we ship rgb.txt in x11-common.
      + xserver-xorg: Add dependancy "OR xserver-xorg-video" because
        the restricted drivers provide that.
    - debian/local/Xsession:
      + If ~/.xsession-errors is bigger than 0.5MiB, truncate it to the last
        0.5MiB to avoid having it grow indefinitively. (This does not happen
        with gdm anyway since gdm cleans the file on login). (LP #60448)
    - debian/local/dexconf:
      + Uncoditionally re-enable ZAxisMapping in dexconf. (LP: #31827)
      + Add InputDevice entries for wacom.
      + Add extra bits for ps3fb xorg.conf.
      + Read xserver-xorg/config/device/extra_options key, parse it
        (first token is option name, rest of the line after first space
        is value), and add it as Option lines to the device section.
        (LP: #90109)
      + Add special case for i810 with 3M TouchScreen monitors to set a
        resolution of 800x600 and avoid probing since it will fail miserably
        in xserver-xorg.postinst. Also make sure to write Option "DisplayInfo"
        "False" in Device Section in dexconf if the above combination is
        matched otherwise the card will display extra unrequired info each
        time X attempts a startup. (touches also xserver-xorg.postinst.in)
      + Due to a very annoying DRI/DRM bug, make sure to use OldDmaInit
        when writing down the Device section for mga driver. This will make
        DRI working at least for AGP cards. PCI didn't work before and it will
        keep not working since the option does explicitly disable DRI for PCI.
        (LP: #27442)
      + Enable elographics driver when matching known machines.
      + Disable composite when using the fglrx driver. It does not support
        composition, and enabling it by default (as recently done in
        xorg-server) breaks DRI for fglrx. (LP: #90688)
    - debian/scripts/vars.i386:
      + Add xserver-xorg-input-elographics to XSERVER_XORG_INPUT_DEPENDS.
    - debian/xserver-xorg.postinst.in:
      + Add lt to list of non-Latin keymaps (LP: #38931).
      + Make sure to ask video driver on sparc even if autodetected. Some
        cards still require weird overrides (ati -> fbdev) that are not
        100% known in all combinations.
      + Skip video card autodetection if xforcevesa is set
        (LP #27020, #59618).
      + Detect keyboard layout configuration using /etc/default/console-setup
        if available.
      + Clean up duplicate keymaps in xserver-xorg.config.in and make sure
        they're all neatly alphabetised.
      + Map cf console keymap to ca(fr).
      + Map croat console keymap to hr. (LP: #43598)
      + Set default keyboard variant for French to oss (LP: #89835).
      + Map...

Read more...

Revision history for this message
Juan Pablo Salazar Bertín (snifer) wrote :

It's supposed to be fixed in 1:7.2-3ubuntu1. I'm testing Gutsy Tribe 1 and the bug is still present (using version 1:7.2-3ubuntu3).
Since intel driver is included, there are two workarounds:

1) Change i810 to intel.
2) Write sync ranges and use i810 + 915resolution for widescreen resolutions.

Since my laptop has widescreen, I prefer workaround #1, but every time I use "sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg", the driver is changed back to i810 and no sync ranges are written in xorg.conf.

Changed in xorg:
status: Fix Released → Unconfirmed
Revision history for this message
Mark Carter (mcturra2000) wrote :

I tried testing Gutsy Tribe 2 on an Intel iMac 20" in UK. I got:

Failed to start the X server
Fatal server error:
Caught signal 11. Server aborting

It did manage to start it once in 4 attempts. though.

Revision history for this message
Juan Pablo Salazar Bertín (snifer) wrote :

Installer has been working fine in tribe 3 and 4. intel driver is being used now.

Changed in xorg:
status: New → Fix Released
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