The Toughbook Intel GMA flicker on Linux thread

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kode-niner
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The Toughbook Intel GMA flicker on Linux thread

#1 Post by kode-niner »

I thought I'd make a single thread to discuss this issue since we're all over the place on this one. I know I can figure this out despite me not having a flickering TB on hand. This should make things easier to keep track of things here while I offer suggestions and you guys report back.

My theory is, after googling around, that there is a power management issue that may or may not be related to the GPU clock.




EDIT: SOLUTION HERE:


The solution is to force the display to modeset to 1024x768@76Hz during startup by adding a kernel boot parameter. All these commands must be done as superuser. Either login as root in a terminal or use sudo at the beginning of each command if your system is setup that way.

1) Edit /etc/default/grub with your favorite text editor, such as nano, pico or vi. It would be wise to make a backup of this file first.

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cp /etc/default/grub /etc/default/grub.bak
nano /etc/default/grub

2) Add video=1024x768@76 to GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT between the quotes and separate with a space character if there are existing parameters. For example if yours looks like this:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"
then it should end up looking like
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash video=1024x768@76"
If there is nothing between the quotes then this parameter can be on its own.
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="video=1024x768@76"
3) Update grub so that your changes will be used on next boot:

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update-grub
Pay attention to any errors. If anything looks wrong then review your changes to /etc/default/grub for typing mistakes and update-grub again until you're all clear.


4) Reboot your system

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reboot
The problem should be solved.


EDIT 2: SOLUTION 2


I've determined that it is just the fact that a resolution change takes place that shocks the display into working properly and not specifically setting KMS modeset to 1024x768@76Hz. Even just turning the display on and off with xset can reset the hardware into fixing the flickering issue. This is an alternate method that would load a script after you login to your desktop environment and might work better if the first solution doesn't work.

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sudo nano /usr/local/bin/resetdisplay
and paste the following text inside, save and quit.
xset dpms force off
xset dpms force on
Make it executable:

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sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/resetdisplay
Find whatever method your OS supports to make it autostart. Examples on how to do this are here:
http://xmodulo.com/start-program-automa ... sktop.html
Add /usr/local/bin/resetdisplay as a command or application to startup automatically. You may still experience flicker during the login screen but should be fine after you login. The screen may flash briefly as the display is switched off then back on.
Last edited by kode-niner on Sun Oct 05, 2014 12:46 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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kode-niner
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Re: The Toughbook Intel GMA flicker on Linux thread

#2 Post by kode-niner »

First thing to try. Would be funny if this were solved right now with this post. I am assuming you have nopasswd or all commands sudo and prefer to use nano as a text editor.

edit the file /etc/default/grub

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sudo nano /etc/default/grub
Add this between the quotes to GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT

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i915.powersave=0
Just make sure your parameters are separated by spaces. For example if you have the reboot=pci as I suspect you might have on a CF-18 with quiet boot options, it should look like this, in no particular order:

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GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet reboot=pci i915.powersave=0"
Otherwise it would look like this:

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GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet  i915.powersave=0"
Save the file.

Update grub

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sudo update-grub
If there are no errors, reboot. Otherwise report here.
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SHEEPMAN!
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Re: The Toughbook Intel GMA flicker on Linux thread

#3 Post by SHEEPMAN! »

Ran your code. CF-30MK3.

Not a fix but definitely different.

Initial boot flickers.
After a while screen turns black if not being used. Not a screensaver per se.
Swipe the pad and screen is back with no flicker.
Another thing, [preferences]monitor settings.......no effect at 1024x768. (reports 60 while clocking 27)
Switching to 800 x? flicker disappears and is still gone when reset to 1024. This is not clear but.....

We are re-organizing from a over the bank rescue last night...patients are as well as can be expected....the point is I will check back later.

Thanks for this.
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ADOR
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Re: The Toughbook Intel GMA flicker on Linux thread

#4 Post by ADOR »

? talking about graphic card flickers from time to time? I have figured out how to fix this on windows 7 machines by disabling one service, but can't help you on linux right now.
CF-28 MK2,Mk3 / CF-29 Mk3 / CF-30 MK2 / CF-25 Mk1 ATI / CF-19 MK3/Mk3/Mk5 / CF-U1 Mk1,Mk2 / CF-M34 Mk7/Mk3 / CF-17 Mk1 / CF-07
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kode-niner
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Re: The Toughbook Intel GMA flicker on Linux thread

#5 Post by kode-niner »

Sadlmkr wrote: After a while screen turns black if not being used. Not a screensaver per se.
Swipe the pad and screen is back with no flicker.
Screen blanking? This is essentially what happens when you close the lid unless you have it suspend. This is an interesting clue. I'll mull this one over and get back to you.


Edit: is the screen black with backlight on or actual screenjblanking, as in powered off?
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Re: The Toughbook Intel GMA flicker on Linux thread

#6 Post by SHEEPMAN! »

I'd guess backlight.

Waiting for it to occur as I cook.

The thing that got me was the switching to 800x60? stopped flicker.

Midway in the xorg is a line re: LVDS-1.....1024x768@60 then it is not used.

Burned the tortillas. :blowaway:

Tomorrow mate.

PM your address and I will send you a MK3. (30) No strings.

Thanks,

J'd
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Re: The Toughbook Intel GMA flicker on Linux thread

#7 Post by kode-niner »

Important question: which kernel version are you using when experiencing flicker or what is the newest version you've ever tried?

Second question: is i915 module loaded?

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sudo lsmod|grep i915
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Re: The Toughbook Intel GMA flicker on Linux thread

#8 Post by SHEEPMAN! »

i915 705396 4
i2c_algo_bit 13197 1 i915
drm_kms_helper 46907 1 i915
drm 243792 5 i915,drm_kms_helper
video 18903 1 i915
jeff@jeff-CF-30KAPAXAM ~ $
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Re: The Toughbook Intel GMA flicker on Linux thread

#9 Post by kode-niner »

Good that means we can control how your i915 module loads.

What's your output for

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uname -a
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Re: The Toughbook Intel GMA flicker on Linux thread

#10 Post by SHEEPMAN! »

Linux jeff-CF-30KAPAXAM 3.13.0-24-generic #46-Ubuntu SMP Thu Apr 10 19:08:14 UTC 2014 i686 i686 i686 GNU/Linux
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