Weird box surrounding cursor

chris_on_linux · 10-21-2023, 01:05 PM

Hi everyone!

For the past few months, I have been distrohopping a lot. When I installed Gentoo with LXDE, a weird box that looks like some text was surrounding my cursor. Now, I am on Q4OS (Debian) KDE and it is still here! My PC is 10 years old and it has an ATI Radeon 5450 HD. Do you have an idea of what could be causing this and how I can fix it? I have tried changing the cursor.

Thanks!

mrmazda · 10-21-2023, 05:23 PM

What does inxi -GSaz report? I've had that happen before, but not lately, and IIRC not using a 5450. It might be uninstalling xserver-xorg-video-ati and restarting X could fix it, but if it's not installed, try installing it.

chris_on_linux · 10-22-2023, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmazda

What does inxi -GSaz report? I've had that happen before, but not lately, and IIRC not using a 5450. It might be uninstalling xserver-xorg-video-ati and restarting X could fix it, but if it's not installed, try installing it.

Here is the output of the command:

Code:

System:
  Kernel: 6.1.0-13-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0
    parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-13-amd64
    root=UUID=749c0f66-8bc6-4561-9b07-02bf8d7a15ab ro quiet loglevel=3
    systemd.log_color=0 systemd.show_status=1
  Desktop: KDE Plasma v: 5.27.5 tk: Qt v: 5.15.8 wm: kwin_x11 vt: 7 dm: SDDM
    Distro: Q4OS 5.3.1-n1 base: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Park [Mobility Radeon HD 5430] vendor: PC Partner / Sapphire
    Caicos driver: radeon v: kernel alternate: amdgpu arch: TeraScale-2
    code: Evergreen process: TSMC 32-40nm built: 2009-15 pcie: gen: 2
    speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 16 ports: active: HDMI-A-1 empty: DVI-I-1,VGA-1
    bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 1002:68e1 class-ID: 0300 temp: 46.5 C
  Device-2: Aveo USB2.0 Camera type: USB driver: snd-usb-audio,uvcvideo
    bus-ID: 2-1.5:4 chip-ID: 1871:0143 class-ID: 0102
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 compositor: kwin_x11 driver: X:
    loaded: radeon unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa dri: swrast gpu: radeon
    display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1920x1080 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 508x285mm (20.00x11.22")
    s-diag: 582mm (22.93")
  Monitor-1: HDMI-A-1 mapped: HDMI-0 model: AOC 24B2W1G5 serial: <filter>
    built: 2022 res: 1920x1080 hz: 60 dpi: 93 gamma: 1.2
    size: 527x296mm (20.75x11.65") diag: 604mm (23.8") ratio: 16:9 modes:
    max: 1920x1080 min: 720x400
  API: OpenGL v: 4.5 Mesa 22.3.6 renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 15.0.6 256 bits)
    direct-render: Yes

I tried uninstalling xserver-xorg-video-ati but it didn't work, so I reinstalled it.

mrmazda · 10-22-2023, 12:57 PM

There are two types of cursor: 1-hardware; 2-software. I suggest to find out which type you have doing this, then switch to the other. I've never needed to do this, even though I have seen cursors corrupted like that. I have no recollection of anything I ever did to fix it. Possibly there is a software bug that both distros doing it "feature". My only currently installed Radeon Cedar card only has openSUSE installed, which doesn't currently show any similar problem.

chris_on_linux · 07-28-2024, 11:38 AM

Hey @mrmazda,

Are you still here? A family member got hurt and I had to give them the room while they recover. This meant I had to ditch my setup

. Are you still here? I would really appreciate your help. By the way, I formatted my drive and installed Debian 12 stable. I use Cinnamon now, with LightDM. The problem persists.

mrmazda · 07-28-2024, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_on_linux

I tried uninstalling xserver-xorg-video-ati but it didn't work, so I reinstalled it.

What exactly does "didn't work" mean? If you have /etc/X11/xorg.conf or any file in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ that forces use of radeon driver or denies use of modesetting driver, then X would not work. You should try again and provide details. If it "doesn't work" again, provide the /var/log/Xorg.0.log file via pastebin or attachment for diagnosis of what fails. The goal is to get inxi output to change from X: loaded: radeon to X: loaded: modesetting.

Something else to try is a live Linux boot of something other than what you have installed, not Gentoo or Debian-based.

Possibly switching from hardware cursor to software cursor, or vice versa, would fix it, but I've never needed to do that, and don't know how. I don't even know how to tell which kind is in use. Which is in use might depend on the DE you use, so a switch to some other might fix it.

Your problem might be a hardware problem solvable only by replacing the GPU card, but it could be worth removing the card, cleaning its contacts, then reinstalling.

chris_on_linux · 07-28-2024, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmazda

What exactly does "didn't work" mean? If you have /etc/X11/xorg.conf or any file in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ that forces use of radeon driver or denies use of modesetting driver, then X would not work. You should try again and provide details. If it "doesn't work" again, provide the /var/log/Xorg.0.log file via pastebin or attachment for diagnosis of what fails. The goal is to get inxi output to change from X: loaded: radeon to X: loaded: modesetting.

Something else to try is a live Linux boot of something other than what you have installed, not Gentoo or Debian-based.

Possibly switching from hardware cursor to software cursor, or vice versa, would fix it, but I've never needed to do that, and don't know how. I don't even know how to tell which kind is in use. Which is in use might depend on the DE you use, so a switch to some other might fix it.

Your problem might be a hardware problem solvable only by replacing the GPU card, but it could be worth removing the card, cleaning its contacts, then reinstalling.

I am so glad to see you are here! What I meant was it didn't solve the problem. I have tried booting an Arch-based USB stick but the same exact box is still there. I don't know how to change the cursor mode. But I think the GPU is done for. The computer is a bit more than 15 years old and has been used heavily. The entire thing is worth less than 150$ now. If changing the cursor mode doesn't work, it's probably a dying GPU. Can you tell me how to do this, please?

mrmazda · 07-28-2024, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_on_linux

If changing the cursor mode doesn't work, it's probably a dying GPU. Can you tell me how to do this, please?

I told you I don't know how to change between HW & SW cursor. You'll need to find someone else, or get it from a web search, after exhausting other suggestions if necessary. If you mean change GPU, on a laptop typically it's either very difficult, or not possible at all.

You might try asking on KDE's forums if you still have KDE along with Cinnamon. If it's a known correctable problem, someone there should be able to tell you what to change. The first section of Plasma Systemsettings has a section for cursors. Have you tried all those alternatives, or adding others? I don't use Breeze cursors as much as I use those from installing the optional dmz-cursor-theme package. Similar should apply with Cinnamon (or any DE). There should be a forum just for Cinnamon users somewhere if you can't attract enough attention from others here.

I'm serious about retrying the modesetting driver. It should not fail. It's the default, what you really should already be using. It's possible when you tried there was something blocking its use that needs to be found and removed. It supports all AMD, Intel and NVidia GPUs. All my AMD GPUs less than 20 years old are using it, regardless of DE or distro. The following is from a PC I have (probably) similar to yours, with a Radeon of same Terascale-2/Evergreen arch:

Code:

# inxi -CMSz --vs --za --hostname
inxi 3.3.35-00 (2024-06-18)
System:
  Host: gx78b Kernel: 6.1.0-21-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64
  Desktop: TDE (Trinity) v: R14.1.2 Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Machine:
  Type: Desktop System: Dell product: OptiPlex 780 v: N/A serial: <filter>
  Mobo: Dell model: 03NVJ6 v: A01 serial: <filter> BIOS: Dell v: A15
    date: 08/06/2013
CPU:
  Info: dual core model: Intel Core2 Duo E8400 bits: 64 type: MCP cache:
    L2: 6 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 2992 min/max: N/A cores: 1: 2992 2: 2992
# inxi -Gaz --za
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Caicos [Radeon HD 6450/7450/8450 / R5 230 OEM] vendor: Dell
    driver: radeon v: kernel alternate: amdgpu arch: TeraScale-2 code: Evergreen
    process: TSMC 32-40nm built: 2009-15 pcie: gen: 2 speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 16
    ports: active: DP-1,DVI-I-1 empty: none bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 1002:6779
    class-ID: 0300 temp: 46.0 C
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 compositor: Twin v: 3.0 driver: X:
    loaded: modesetting alternate: fbdev,vesa dri: r600 gpu: radeon
    display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 3600x1200 s-dpi: 120 s-size: 762x254mm (30.00x10.00")
    s-diag: 803mm (31.62")
  Monitor-1: DP-1 pos: primary,left model: NEC EA243WM serial: <filter>
    built: 2011 res: 1920x1200 hz: 60 dpi: 94 gamma: 1.2
    size: 519x324mm (20.43x12.76") diag: 612mm (24.1") ratio: 16:10 modes:
    max: 1920x1200 min: 640x480
  Monitor-2: DVI-I-1 pos: right model: Dell P2213 serial: <filter>
    built: 2012 res: 1680x1050 hz: 60 dpi: 90 gamma: 1.2
    size: 473x296mm (18.62x11.65") diag: 558mm (22") ratio: 16:10 modes:
    max: 1680x1050 min: 720x400
  API: EGL v: 1.5 hw: drv: amd r600 platforms: device: 0 drv: r600 device: 1
    drv: swrast gbm: drv: r600 surfaceless: drv: r600 x11: drv: r600
    inactive: wayland
  API: OpenGL v: 4.5 vendor: x.org mesa v: 22.3.6 glx-v: 1.4 es-v: 3.1
    direct-render: yes renderer: AMD CAICOS (DRM 2.50.0 / 6.1.0-21-amd64 LLVM
    15.0.6) device-ID: 1002:6779 memory: 1000 MiB unified: no
  API: Vulkan v: 1.3.239 layers: 4 device: 0 type: cpu name: llvmpipe (LLVM
    15.0.6 128 bits) driver: mesa llvmpipe v: 22.3.6 (LLVM 15.0.6)
    device-ID: 10005:0000 surfaces: xcb,xlib
# dpkg-query -W | egrep 'radeon|ati|amdgpu|mesa|vulkan' | sort
libdrm-radeon1:amd64    2.4.114-1+b1
libegl-mesa0:amd64      22.3.6-1+deb12u1
libgl1-mesa-dri:amd64   22.3.6-1+deb12u1
libgl1-mesa-glx:amd64   22.3.6-1+deb12u1
libglapi-mesa:amd64     22.3.6-1+deb12u1
libglu1-mesa:amd64      9.0.2-1.1
libglx-mesa0:amd64      22.3.6-1+deb12u1
libvulkan1:amd64        1.3.239.0-1
mesa-utils      8.5.0-1
mesa-utils-bin:amd64    8.5.0-1
mesa-vulkan-drivers:amd64       22.3.6-1+deb12u1
vulkan-tools    1.3.239.0+dfsg1-1
vulkan-validationlayers:amd64   1.3.239.0-2
#

If all can be made good with software, and your GPU is not failing, then your output from the commands, other than the extra display and the lightweight TDE, should be similar to mine.

chris_on_linux · 07-29-2024, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrmazda

I told you I don't know how to change between HW & SW cursor. You'll need to find someone else, or get it from a web search, after exhausting other suggestions if necessary. If you mean change GPU, on a laptop typically it's either very difficult, or not possible at all.

You might try asking on KDE's forums if you still have KDE along with Cinnamon. If it's a known correctable problem, someone there should be able to tell you what to change. The first section of Plasma Systemsettings has a section for cursors. Have you tried all those alternatives, or adding others? I don't use Breeze cursors as much as I use those from installing the optional dmz-cursor-theme package. Similar should apply with Cinnamon (or any DE). There should be a forum just for Cinnamon users somewhere if you can't attract enough attention from others here.

I'm serious about retrying the modesetting driver. It should not fail. It's the default, what you really should already be using. It's possible when you tried there was something blocking its use that needs to be found and removed. It supports all AMD, Intel and NVidia GPUs. All my AMD GPUs less than 20 years old are using it, regardless of DE or distro. The following is from a PC I have (probably) similar to yours, with a Radeon of same Terascale-2/Evergreen arch:

Code:

# inxi -CMSz --vs --za --hostname
inxi 3.3.35-00 (2024-06-18)
System:
  Host: gx78b Kernel: 6.1.0-21-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64
  Desktop: TDE (Trinity) v: R14.1.2 Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Machine:
  Type: Desktop System: Dell product: OptiPlex 780 v: N/A serial: <filter>
  Mobo: Dell model: 03NVJ6 v: A01 serial: <filter> BIOS: Dell v: A15
    date: 08/06/2013
CPU:
  Info: dual core model: Intel Core2 Duo E8400 bits: 64 type: MCP cache:
    L2: 6 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 2992 min/max: N/A cores: 1: 2992 2: 2992
# inxi -Gaz --za
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Caicos [Radeon HD 6450/7450/8450 / R5 230 OEM] vendor: Dell
    driver: radeon v: kernel alternate: amdgpu arch: TeraScale-2 code: Evergreen
    process: TSMC 32-40nm built: 2009-15 pcie: gen: 2 speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 16
    ports: active: DP-1,DVI-I-1 empty: none bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 1002:6779
    class-ID: 0300 temp: 46.0 C
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 compositor: Twin v: 3.0 driver: X:
    loaded: modesetting alternate: fbdev,vesa dri: r600 gpu: radeon
    display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 3600x1200 s-dpi: 120 s-size: 762x254mm (30.00x10.00")
    s-diag: 803mm (31.62")
  Monitor-1: DP-1 pos: primary,left model: NEC EA243WM serial: <filter>
    built: 2011 res: 1920x1200 hz: 60 dpi: 94 gamma: 1.2
    size: 519x324mm (20.43x12.76") diag: 612mm (24.1") ratio: 16:10 modes:
    max: 1920x1200 min: 640x480
  Monitor-2: DVI-I-1 pos: right model: Dell P2213 serial: <filter>
    built: 2012 res: 1680x1050 hz: 60 dpi: 90 gamma: 1.2
    size: 473x296mm (18.62x11.65") diag: 558mm (22") ratio: 16:10 modes:
    max: 1680x1050 min: 720x400
  API: EGL v: 1.5 hw: drv: amd r600 platforms: device: 0 drv: r600 device: 1
    drv: swrast gbm: drv: r600 surfaceless: drv: r600 x11: drv: r600
    inactive: wayland
  API: OpenGL v: 4.5 vendor: x.org mesa v: 22.3.6 glx-v: 1.4 es-v: 3.1
    direct-render: yes renderer: AMD CAICOS (DRM 2.50.0 / 6.1.0-21-amd64 LLVM
    15.0.6) device-ID: 1002:6779 memory: 1000 MiB unified: no
  API: Vulkan v: 1.3.239 layers: 4 device: 0 type: cpu name: llvmpipe (LLVM
    15.0.6 128 bits) driver: mesa llvmpipe v: 22.3.6 (LLVM 15.0.6)
    device-ID: 10005:0000 surfaces: xcb,xlib
# dpkg-query -W | egrep 'radeon|ati|amdgpu|mesa|vulkan' | sort
libdrm-radeon1:amd64    2.4.114-1+b1
libegl-mesa0:amd64      22.3.6-1+deb12u1
libgl1-mesa-dri:amd64   22.3.6-1+deb12u1
libgl1-mesa-glx:amd64   22.3.6-1+deb12u1
libglapi-mesa:amd64     22.3.6-1+deb12u1
libglu1-mesa:amd64      9.0.2-1.1
libglx-mesa0:amd64      22.3.6-1+deb12u1
libvulkan1:amd64        1.3.239.0-1
mesa-utils      8.5.0-1
mesa-utils-bin:amd64    8.5.0-1
mesa-vulkan-drivers:amd64       22.3.6-1+deb12u1
vulkan-tools    1.3.239.0+dfsg1-1
vulkan-validationlayers:amd64   1.3.239.0-2
#

If all can be made good with software, and your GPU is not failing, then your output from the commands, other than the extra display and the lightweight TDE, should be similar to mine.

I guess the GPU is cooked. Take a look in the output if you wish. I just don't think it's worth troubleshooting.

inxi 3.3.26-00 (2023-03-28)
System:
Host: debian Kernel: 6.1.0-23-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 Desktop: Cinnamon
v: 5.6.8 Distro: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Machine:
Type: Desktop Mobo: Gigabyte model: H61M-S2PV REV 2.2 serial: N/A
UEFI: American Megatrends v: Fce date: 03/03/2014
CPU:
Info: dual core model: Intel Core i3-2100 bits: 64 type: MT MCP cache:
L2: 512 KiB
Speed (MHz): avg: 1600 min/max: 1600/3100 cores: 1: 1600 2: 1600 3: 1600
4: 1600

mrmazda · 07-29-2024, 08:16 PM

This is from mine doing the same thing on openSUSE Leap 15.6, Tumbleweed & Debian 12 &13:

Code:

# inxi -SCGz
System:
  Kernel: 6.8.12-amd64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64
  Desktop: TDE (Trinity) v: R14.1.3~[DEVELOPMENT] Distro: Debian GNU/Linux
    trixie/sid
CPU:
  Info: single core model: AMD Sempron 3000+ bits: 64 type: UP cache:
    L2: 128 KiB
  Speed (MHz): 1800 min/max: N/A core: 1: 1800
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD R300 [Radeon 9700/9700 PRO] driver: radeon v: kernel
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 21.1.11 driver: X: loaded: radeon
    unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa dri: r300 gpu: radeon resolution:
    1: 1920x1200~60Hz 2: 1680x1050~60Hz
  API: EGL v: 1.4,1.5 drivers: r300,swrast
    platforms: gbm,x11,surfaceless,device
  API: OpenGL v: 4.5 compat-v: 2.1 vendor: mesa v: 24.1.3-2
    renderer: ATI R300
  API: Vulkan v: 1.3.283 drivers: N/A surfaces: xcb,xlib
#

To me it seems obvious here the issue is VRAM and/or framebuffer RAM related. I suppose there could be some solution squirreled away somewhere I haven't stumbled into that doesn't involve replacing the Radeon, which I could do, but you can't. I've looked on eBay, but the pickings that are slim among decent spec AGP cards except at excessive prices. You probably need to shop for another laptop unless you can learn to live with that weird box.

One last ditch thing you might try is your laptop may be sharing system RAM with GPU. If that's the case, it's possible some BIOS change could impact your issue. Also if you have shared RAM, try to swap RAM modules around if you have more than one installed. Also if you have more than one installed, try removing one or more.