Successfully build kernel 3.4.2, but now, Ubuntu 12.04 GUI is extremely slow.
 

Hi, all:

I just successfully built kernel 3.4.2 and would like to play around with it. However, just right after I reboot Ubuntu 12.04 with the new kernel, GUIs become extremely slow. Even moving a prompt shell or a text editor window is unbearably slow.

Then, I doublechecked AMD Catalyst Control Centre (I'm using a AMD Radeon 8600 series video card). I happened to notice the Display Properties under Display Manager (
) always pick up a resolution: Preferred (4000X4000), and Refresh Rate is always: Preferred (160Hz). And, unfortunately, I'm not able to change it.

Since what I built from the kernel are only 2 files:
initrd.img-3.4.2 and vmlinuz-3.4.2
I'm wondering if I need more files to configure the whole system?
Since I notice for my older kernels, there are at least
abi, config and System.map files under /boot


Can anybody give me a hand?


Cheers
Pei

You need to recompile the video driver's kernel module. This is done in the easiest way by installing the AMD driver from AMD's website. Of course you have to de-install the driver from the repository first.
Or you just de-install the driver from the repository and use the open-source driver as long as you are testing your kernel.

It is very strange that Catalyst is not able to find my BenQ EW2420 monitor.
I just re-installed the drive (still from Ubuntu Software Centre), but even after rebooting, it still doesn't work. Now, I'm try to install AMD driver as the way you mentioned.

However, why the AMD driver defautly in Ubuntu Software Centre (Ubuntu repository) is not working for me right now? Is the one in current Ubuntu repository already compiled against some old kernel?


Cheers
Pei

The driver should already be compiled against the normal Ubuntu kernel. If you build proper packages of your new kernel it may be possible that the DKMS system will automatically recompile a module for your new kernel, but I am not sure about that.

Well, unfortunately, it seems ADM doesn't suppor Linux drivers any longer.
I can't even be able to select Linux here http://support.amd.com/us/Pages/AMDSupportHub.aspx

What can I do then?

Cheers
Pei

AMD does support Linux, I can download and install the drivers. Are you sre that you haven't made the same mistake as in your first post? You most likely have a card from the HD6800-series, not the 8600 series.
Anyways, you can get the driver here: http://www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/am...x86.x86_64.run

I was trying to install AMD Catalyst Driver 8.961, but got the following errors. Anyway, rebooting and have a try first... It seems the driver you afforded has not been successfully installed....



Cheers
Pei

About the System.map file, it should be located where the booting kernel can find it. Copy it to /boot (or the same directory as the kernel image) and append the version number of the kernel to it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System.map

"After building the Linux kernel, System.map is located in the root of the source directory. However, some further software installation steps expect to locate the file elsewhere:

as /boot/System.map-$(uname -r)"

IIRC you should find the new System.map in the top dir of your kernel build.

Thank you so much fogpipe ! Thanks...

1) I found System.map just under the my downloaded source folder, say the folder also containing the produced file "vmlinux". And now, I copied it under /boot
2) I also copied ".config" under the same linux kernel source folder to /boot

The only thing I don't have now is the "abi" file. For this file, I just
Don't know if this is correct.

The weird thing continues: The ATI Catalyst now seems to be able to find my monitor, but after a re-configuration (I know set a Full HD with 60 FPS), I was suggested to restart the machine. However, rebooting only re-sets the configuration back to 4000X4000 at 160 FPS.

What can I do???

depressed...
Pei

Sorry, forgot about that. If you run a 32 bit system and a kernel newer then 3.2.7 you have to patch the driver, or you use the Catalyst 12.6 Beta driver.

Hi, Thanks TobiSGD.
I tried Catalyst 12.6 Beta driver as you mentioned, but still got the same errors. (pictures' link attached.)
Yes, I'm now working under kernel 3.4.2 already, and my machine is 64 bits, but I'm using a 32 bit Ubuntu. So, I've got to use the patched driver as you mentioned. But, still, the problem continues.

http://www.visionopen.com/questions/...rfailure01.png
http://www.visionopen.com/questions/...rfailure02.png