Unable to start X after installing FGLRX

acheong87 · 09-11-2008, 05:37 AM

Hello. I've spent several hours on this problem. I've searched Google and looked through Phoronix, ATI CCHTML, UbuntuForums, as well as LinuxQuestions, but to no avail. The problem is simple - I can't start X.

I did a clean install of Slackware 12.1. At that time, I could startx just fine.

Afterward, I obtained the latest ATI proprietary drivers, built the *.tgz packages, and used installpkg to install fglrx. (I followed the guide at http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/ATI...uild_%28ENG%29 exactly.) Once I rebooted, I was no longer able to startx - the screen turns black, then returns, saying that it failed to start X. I tried various modifications to xorg.conf but nothing helped. The end of my /var/log/Xorg.0.log is as follows:

Code:

(EE) fglrx(0): Invalid video BIOS signature!
(EE) fglrx(0): GetBIOSParameter failed
(EE) fglrx(0): PreInitConfig failed

Backtrace:
0: X(xf86SigHandler+0x80) [0x80dbde0]
1: [0xffffe420]
2: /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers//fglrx_drv.so(amdPcsFree+0x36) [0xb787f356]
3: /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers//fglrx_drv.so(atiddxPreInit+0x2c6) [0xb7858d16]
4: X(InitOutput+0x9be) [0x80a2443e]
5: X(main+0x286) [0x806dba6]
6: /lib/libc.so.6(__libc_start_main+0xe0) [0xb7d26390]
7: X(FontFileCompleteXLFD+0x20d) [0x806d0e1]

Can anyone provide any hints or thoughts? Thank you. By the way, I backed up my original xorg.conf (right after the clean install); when I restore that original, I can startx just fine.

(I am running Slackware 12.1 on a Lenovo ThinkPad T500. The graphics card is ATI Mobility Radeon 3650 with 256MB. Please ask for my xorg.conf file if you would like to see it. Also, if you think a stack trace may help, please let me know as well.)

Alien Bob · 09-11-2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

(EE) fglrx(0): Invalid video BIOS signature

Sounds like your card is not yet supported by the fglrx driver? Just guessing here.

Eric

symatic · 09-11-2008, 08:00 AM

I don't see that series listed in the 8.8 supported list. Have you tried adjusting some of your bios settings. ie( the pre-init vga settings). Most likely it will say something like pci, agp/pci and agp. I would try switching those around and see if that does the trick.

Well, good luck.

acheong87 · 09-11-2008, 05:47 PM

In the BIOS settings, I went to [Config], [Display], [Graphics Device], where the options were "Integrated", "Discrete", or "Switchable". I had it on "Switchable", which uses Discrete for maximum performance and Integrated for battery-saving. I switched this option to "Discrete", and everything started working fine! Also, for those others having the same problem, make sure to disable [OS Detection for Switchable Graphics] in your BIOS, else BIOS will revert to "Switchable" every time you reboot.

I am now running at 1680x1050 resolution. If anyone wants me to post/send them my xorg.conf or would like assistance, please send me a message or email. I'm going to try Compiz/Beryl now.

Code:

bash-3.1# fglrxinfo
display: :0.0  screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
OpenGL version string: 2.1.7873 Release

Thank you!

symatic · 09-11-2008, 07:46 PM

Good to hear..

You should add to the wiki under trouble shooting. The fglrx driver seems to be a pain for many people.

nedyar · 02-01-2009, 04:18 AM

I have the same problem but i cannot modify the bios settoing, what can i do? The driver work perfectly with ubuntu 8.04 but it doesn't work with Ubuntu 8.10 and i need the last one because it support linux kernel 2.27 that is usefull to use wireless

Daedra · 02-01-2009, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nedyar

I have the same problem but i cannot modify the bios settoing, what can i do? The driver work perfectly with ubuntu 8.04 but it doesn't work with Ubuntu 8.10 and i need the last one because it support linux kernel 2.27 that is usefull to use wireless

I also had this problem and like you my bios on my laptop has extremely limited options, the only fix I found was to downgrade to ATI catalyst 8.11 for now.

nedyar · 02-02-2009, 08:17 AM

I have found support for my wireless card with Ubuntu 8.04 so i not urge to solve this problem with new xorg. However to downgrade to ati catalyst 8.11 need only to remove the newest, download and install precedent version?

acummings · 02-03-2009, 01:03 AM

Yep, there's an uninstall.sh somewhere (that, as root, I ran it).

Forgot exactly where, /lib/something_or_other (ati?)

Then DL the 8.12 Catalyst (9.1 wouldn't work for me).

I started another thread, shared my success with fglrx and also IRQ (plug and play)

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...el-p45-701821/

Alan.

Daedra · 02-03-2009, 01:53 AM

the uninstall script is in /usr/share/ati

trent1980 · 08-07-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acheong87

In the BIOS settings, I went to [Config], [Display], [Graphics Device], where the options were "Integrated", "Discrete", or "Switchable". I had it on "Switchable", which uses Discrete for maximum performance and Integrated for battery-saving. I switched this option to "Discrete", and everything started working fine! Also, for those others having the same problem, make sure to disable [OS Detection for Switchable Graphics] in your BIOS, else BIOS will revert to "Switchable" every time you reboot.

I love you. This was driving me nuts. FIXED

trent@t-ubu:~$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
OpenGL version string: 2.1.8787 FireGL

Running 1920x1200