2.6.38-gentoo-r6 Kernel, radeon driver, HD3200 = X crash

[corychristison]

Hi All,

I've done some searching around and I cannot seem to find a resolution to my issue.

I am able to get X to start (I use startx), however it crashes very quickly. Prior to using the radeon-ucode package I was able to use it for a bit, even start glxgears but it would eventually crash. It freezes completely, however I am still able to SSH in. I cannot, however, kill X.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

This system is to be a media center running a custom interface I've been working on in my spare time. To create a 'seamless boot' (avoiding {X|G|K}DM/SLiM)I've followed this guide: http://www.gentoo-wiki.info/TIP_Passwordless_Login to setting up an auto-launch of startx under the user that it should run, from there ~/.xinitrc will launch icewm and the application interface in fullscreen (using icewm as a fallback in case my app ever crashes).

Here is a bunch of info you probably need to help me figure this stuff out.

Running Gentoo Sources 2.6.38-r6 build via genkernel --menuconfig all

I've tried masked and unmasked (not the x11 overlay, I want to try to avoid that) of the following:

[rainbowgoblin]

You should post your xorg log file (/var/log/Xorg.0.log)

Also, are you committed to the radeon driver? You could try changing VIDEO_CARDS to fglrx (the proprietary ATI driver), then you can use the aticonfig program to set up your xorg.conf to use it. I'm pretty sure this comes with the ati-drivers package (should get installed when you emerge xorg-drivers or xorg-server).

Some of the things you need to turn on to make the radeon driver work MIGHT need to be turned off to make fglrx work, but I'm not sure if this is still true.

[v_andal]

Probably, the firmware needed for proper work of open source driver is not available to kernel. Installing x11-drivers/radeon-ucode is not enough. The installed files have to be either compiled into kernel, or provided to kernel via initrd. At least this is true for radeon with KMS enabled.

[rainbowgoblin]

That's a good point. Did you follow the xorg guide (http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/xorg-config.xml) and configure your kernel the way they describe for ATI cards?

[corychristison]

Sorry for the wait in my reply.

Since posting I've updated to the latest keyword masked packages xorg-server, radeon drivers, mesa, etc. etc. and it's somewhat better. I am actually able to kill X with a 'kill -9' where I wasn't before, so that is good news.

I am at this moment going through the Xorg guide you posted. I will post my results in a little while after this compiles.

I had only followed the information available on http://en.gentoo-wiki.com/wiki/Radeon, there appears to be more explanation and more options in this other guide.

Now, one thing I'm not 100% sure of is which firmware file(s) to include.. Looking up my video card (Radeon HD3200) comes up with mixed results. Some say R600, some R700. I've also seen RV670 or something along the lines. Any thoughts? I'm trying R700 this go-round.

Edit: Included R600 and R700 in kernel. Maybe that was a part of the problem? I also apparently had MESA enabled under Device Drivers ---> Graphics support ---> Support for frame buffer devices --->.

[corychristison]

Alright recompiled kernel as requested

Still a similar problem. It loads up, but nothing draws correctly, If I could explain it I would. Or if I could post a screenshot I would.

Still have to kill using a -9.

I've removed my xorg.conf (well, moved it to xorg.conf.back) to test with all default settings.

Here is Xorg.0.log