[SOLVED] Upgrading kernel without breaking X

Arman · 2016-06-23 20:20:14

Intro: I want to upgrade my kernel to at least 4.4 where support is added for the Intel 8260 wireless card, which came installed on my new laptop.

Following Head_on_a_Stick's lovely instructions here, I went about installing 4.6. But to my dismay, rebooting revealed that I had broken X.
Trying to run startx from tty1 failed, and the following was written to /var/log/Xorg.0.log

[    35.625] 
X.Org X Server 1.16.4
Release Date: 2014-12-20
[    35.625] X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
[    35.626] Build Operating System: Linux 3.16.0-4-amd64 x86_64 Debian
[    35.626] Current Operating System: Linux ThinkPad 4.6.0-0.bpo.1-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 4.6.1-1~bpo8+1 (2016-06-14) x86_64
[    35.626] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.6.0-0.bpo.1-amd64 root=UUID=61a80727-2065-44c0-9158-63dfb21c2bc3 ro initrd=/install/gtk/initrd.gz quiet
[    35.626] Build Date: 11 February 2015  12:32:02AM
[    35.626] xorg-server 2:1.16.4-1 (http://www.debian.org/support) 
[    35.626] Current version of pixman: 0.32.6
[    35.627] 	Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
	to make sure that you have the latest version.
[    35.627] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
	(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
	(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[    35.627] (==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Thu Jun 23 00:13:39 2016
[    35.628] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[    35.628] (==) No Layout section.  Using the first Screen section.
[    35.628] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
[    35.628] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
[    35.628] (**) |   |-->Monitor "<default monitor>"
[    35.629] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
	Using a default monitor configuration.
[    35.629] (==) Automatically adding devices
[    35.629] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[    35.629] (==) Automatically adding GPU devices
[    35.629] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
[    35.629] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    35.629] (==) FontPath set to:
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/:unscaled,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/:unscaled,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi,
	built-ins
[    35.629] (==) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
[    35.629] (II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
	If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
[    35.629] (II) Loader magic: 0x55607d2b9d80
[    35.629] (II) Module ABI versions:
[    35.629] 	X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[    35.629] 	X.Org Video Driver: 18.0
[    35.629] 	X.Org XInput driver : 21.0
[    35.629] 	X.Org Server Extension : 8.0
[    35.630] (II) xfree86: Adding drm device (/dev/dri/card0)
[    35.633] (--) PCI:*(0:0:2:0) 8086:1916:17aa:504a rev 7, Mem @ 0xf0000000/16777216, 0xe0000000/268435456, I/O @ 0x0000e000/64, BIOS @ 0x????????/131072
[    35.633] (II) LoadModule: "glx"
[    35.633] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so
[    35.635] (II) Module glx: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    35.635] 	compiled for 1.16.4, module version = 1.0.0
[    35.635] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 8.0
[    35.635] (==) AIGLX enabled
[    35.635] (==) Matched intel as autoconfigured driver 0
[    35.635] (==) Matched intel as autoconfigured driver 1
[    35.635] (==) Matched modesetting as autoconfigured driver 2
[    35.635] (==) Matched fbdev as autoconfigured driver 3
[    35.635] (==) Matched vesa as autoconfigured driver 4
[    35.635] (==) Assigned the driver to the xf86ConfigLayout
[    35.635] (II) LoadModule: "intel"
[    35.635] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/intel_drv.so
[    35.635] (II) Module intel: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    35.635] 	compiled for 1.15.99.904, module version = 2.21.15
[    35.635] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[    35.635] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 18.0
[    35.635] (II) LoadModule: "modesetting"
[    35.636] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/modesetting_drv.so
[    35.636] (II) Module modesetting: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    35.636] 	compiled for 1.16.4, module version = 0.9.0
[    35.636] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[    35.636] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 18.0
[    35.636] (II) LoadModule: "fbdev"
[    35.636] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/fbdev_drv.so
[    35.636] (II) Module fbdev: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    35.636] 	compiled for 1.15.99.904, module version = 0.4.4
[    35.636] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[    35.636] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 18.0
[    35.636] (II) LoadModule: "vesa"
[    35.636] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/vesa_drv.so
[    35.636] (II) Module vesa: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    35.636] 	compiled for 1.15.99.904, module version = 2.3.3
[    35.636] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[    35.636] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 18.0
[    35.636] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Integrated Graphics Chipsets:
	i810, i810-dc100, i810e, i815, i830M, 845G, 854, 852GM/855GM, 865G,
	915G, E7221 (i915), 915GM, 945G, 945GM, 945GME, Pineview GM,
	Pineview G, 965G, G35, 965Q, 946GZ, 965GM, 965GME/GLE, G33, Q35, Q33,
	GM45, 4 Series, G45/G43, Q45/Q43, G41, B43, HD Graphics,
	HD Graphics 2000, HD Graphics 3000, HD Graphics 2500,
	HD Graphics 4000, HD Graphics P4000, HD Graphics 4600,
	HD Graphics 5000, HD Graphics P4600/P4700, Iris(TM) Graphics 5100,
	HD Graphics 4400, HD Graphics 4200, Iris(TM) Pro Graphics 5200
[    35.637] (II) modesetting: Driver for Modesetting Kernel Drivers: kms
[    35.637] (II) FBDEV: driver for framebuffer: fbdev
[    35.637] (II) VESA: driver for VESA chipsets: vesa
[    35.637] (++) using VT number 2

[    35.637] (--) controlling tty is VT number 2, auto-enabling KeepTty
[    35.637] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for modesetting
[    35.637] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for fbdev
[    35.637] (II) Loading sub module "fbdevhw"
[    35.637] (II) LoadModule: "fbdevhw"
[    35.637] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libfbdevhw.so
[    35.637] (II) Module fbdevhw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    35.637] 	compiled for 1.16.4, module version = 0.0.2
[    35.637] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 18.0
[    35.637] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for vesa
[    35.638] (II) intel(0): Creating default Display subsection in Screen section
	"Default Screen Section" for depth/fbbpp 24/32
[    35.638] (==) intel(0): Depth 24, (--) framebuffer bpp 32
[    35.638] (==) intel(0): RGB weight 888
[    35.638] (==) intel(0): Default visual is TrueColor
[    35.638] (WW) intel(0): Unknown chipset
[    35.638] (II) UnloadModule: "intel"
[    35.638] (EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration.
[    35.638] (EE) 
Fatal server error:
[    35.638] (EE) no screens found(EE) 
[    35.638] (EE) 
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support 
	 at http://wiki.x.org
 for help. 
[    35.638] (EE) Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.
[    35.638] (EE) 
[    35.644] (EE) Server terminated with error (1). Closing log file.

Thank you in advance for any and all support!

P.S.
This will be my first post since the migration from the #! forums. Nice to see everybody again!

Last edited by Arman (2016-06-23 22:57:24)

Head_on_a_Stick · 2016-06-23 20:51:57

Can you confirm that the X server starts correctly if booted with the stock kernel?

There should be an entry for it in the "Advanced Options" sub-menu on the GRUB screen.

When you say:

I had broken X

What do you mean, exactly?

What happens when you boot the system?

Also, what is your hardware?

sudo update-pciids
lspci -nn

To get your wireless working, you will need the newer firmware-iwlwifi package from jessie-backports:

sudo apt install firmware-iwlwifi/jessie-backports

By the way, support for your card was added to kernel 4.1
https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/use … rs/iwlwifi

Arman · 2016-06-23 21:08:07

Yes, I can confirm that it starts correctly when booted with the stock kernel.
After the GRUB menu, there appear briefly a couples of lines which I'm not able to read in time and then only a blinking cursor (of a different font size than the preceeding text). From here, I can access the terminal and ctrl + alt + F7 brings be back to the blinking cursor.

As for the hardware, it's a thinkpad x260:

arman@ThinkPad:~$ lspci -nn
00:00.0 Host bridge [0600]: Intel Corporation Skylake Host Bridge/DRAM Registers [8086:1904] (rev 08)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation HD Graphics 520 [8086:1916] (rev 07)
00:14.0 USB controller [0c03]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-LP USB 3.0 xHCI Controller [8086:9d2f] (rev 21)
00:14.2 Signal processing controller [1180]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-LP Thermal subsystem [8086:9d31] (rev 21)
00:16.0 Communication controller [0780]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-LP CSME HECI #1 [8086:9d3a] (rev 21)
00:16.3 Serial controller [0700]: Intel Corporation Device [8086:9d3d] (rev 21)
00:17.0 SATA controller [0106]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-LP SATA Controller [AHCI mode] [8086:9d03] (rev 21)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Device [8086:9d10] (rev f1)
00:1c.2 PCI bridge [0604]: Intel Corporation Device [8086:9d12] (rev f1)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge [0601]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-LP LPC Controller [8086:9d48] (rev 21)
00:1f.2 Memory controller [0580]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-LP PMC [8086:9d21] (rev 21)
00:1f.3 Audio device [0403]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-LP HD Audio [8086:9d70] (rev 21)
00:1f.4 SMBus [0c05]: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-LP SMBus [8086:9d23] (rev 21)
00:1f.6 Ethernet controller [0200]: Intel Corporation Ethernet Connection I219-LM [8086:156f] (rev 21)
02:00.0 Unassigned class [ff00]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTS522A PCI Express Card Reader [10ec:522a] (rev 01)
04:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Intel Corporation Wireless 8260 [8086:24f3] (rev 3a)

Does this mean that I did not need to install the kernel metapackage?

To get your wireless working, you will need the newer firmware-iwlwifi package from jessie-backports:
sudo apt install firmware-iwlwifi/jessie-backports

Head_on_a_Stick · 2016-06-23 21:18:23

Arman wrote:

Does this mean that I did not need to install the kernel metapackage?
To get your wireless working, you will need the newer firmware-iwlwifi package from jessie-backports:
sudo apt install firmware-iwlwifi/jessie-backports

No, you still need the newer kernel -- the drivers are in the kernel but Debian packages the firmware separately because they prefer a de-blobbed kernel.

I think that you should try disabling kernel modesetting by adding this kernel parameter:

nomodeset

Add the parameter by following these methods:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ke … eters#GRUB

You may have to try:

nomodeset i915.modeset=0

I should probably note that Skylake support in BunsenLabs is sub-optimal

You could try upgrading your graphics stack as well:
https://forums.bunsenlabs.org/viewtopic.php?id=1185

Horizon_Brave · 2016-06-23 21:58:11

So I'm a bit curious as to this...Considering that Debian is a pretty slow moving OS in terms of updates...and I imagine that the X server package is also pretty minimal with updates... So is it not a bit surprising that updating the kernel would break something as ubitqitous and slow updating as X? (I assume not a *ton* changes in the X packages from update to update of the kernel)

Arman · 2016-06-23 22:56:43

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:

I think that you should try disabling kernel modesetting by adding this kernel parameter:
nomodeset
Add the parameter by following these methods:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Ke … eters#GRUB

This totally worked! Thank you thank you thank you

Also thanks for linking to your Skylake post.

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:

Boo! Hiss! Boycott Intel! etc

^This is great

Horizon_Brave · 2016-06-23 23:48:18

And just in case for those of use who like a bit of reading and homework:

nomodeset
The newest kernels have moved the video mode setting into the kernel. So all the programming of the hardware specific clock rates and registers on the video card happen in the kernel rather than in the X driver when the X server starts.. This makes it possible to have high resolution nice looking splash (boot) screens and flicker free transitions from boot splash to login screen. Unfortunately, on some cards this doesnt work properly and you end up with a black screen. Adding the nomodeset parameter instructs the kernel to not load video drivers and use BIOS modes instead until X is loaded.
In general, such boot parameters are not needed unless there is a problem with your BIOS and how it handles these standards, or it just might be old enough where these standards were not fully implemented properly.

Eraph · 2016-06-24 00:08:15

Thanks for sharing all this guys, I always wondered what these parameters do and there are some good explanations here. That Arch Wiki is a goldmine of information.

#1 2016-06-23 20:20:14

[SOLVED] Upgrading kernel without breaking X

#2 2016-06-23 20:51:57

Re: [SOLVED] Upgrading kernel without breaking X

#3 2016-06-23 21:08:07

Re: [SOLVED] Upgrading kernel without breaking X

#4 2016-06-23 21:18:23

Re: [SOLVED] Upgrading kernel without breaking X

#5 2016-06-23 21:58:11

Re: [SOLVED] Upgrading kernel without breaking X

#6 2016-06-23 22:56:43

Re: [SOLVED] Upgrading kernel without breaking X

#7 2016-06-23 23:48:18

Re: [SOLVED] Upgrading kernel without breaking X

#8 2016-06-24 00:08:15

Re: [SOLVED] Upgrading kernel without breaking X

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