Fix for black screen on reboot?

[talz13]

I just tried installing the catalyst 8.12 driver on my ubuntu 64 8.04 for my hd4870... I followed the instructions at:

http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubuntu_Hardy_Installation_Guide

But when I reboot after installing the driver, it just goes to a black screen after the progress bar finishes. I can't do anything at this point except hit the reset button on the pc. I'd like to be able to run something newer than catalyst 8.9, but at least 8.11 and 8.12 are just giving me black screens on reboot.

I seem to remember reading about black screen after installation of newer ati drivers, but cannot find a solution...

[Kano]

Try

http://kanotix.com/files/install-fglrx-debian.sh

[injate]

If you hit ctrl+alt+f1 and you get to a tty console then your machine did not crash and you don't need to hit your reset button. Your monitor might just be loosing signal because xorg.conf is telling your display to to do something it cannot do (resolution or other params. out of it's range)

[jimmal]

i got a 4850 card and used the Script from Kano. Works good.
without this i had the same issue you mentioned..system freezes after the progress bar. Nothing but hardware reset helped. Could not switch VT oder anything else Magic Keys (REISUB) did fail also.

[Kano]

I guess the main reason is that I clean /etc/ati before installing the new driver.

[jimmal]

if i change some settings (TV pictures scaling) via amdcccle the same problem appears.
cp /etc/ati/amdpcsdb.default /etc/ati/amdpcsdb helps out.

[injate]

If it's actually freezing when the desktop starts up then I might be having the same problem, I'll give kano's script a try. The really strange thing is I used to be able to boot into X with fglrx multiple times on 1080p resolution and I thought I was all done with video and then I started locking up on reboots and had to revert to a non-fglrx xorg.conf to launch X/GDM.

[jimmal]

it seems that the aticonfig tools writes some extra settings in /etc/ati/amdpcsdb which makes fglrx crash on reboot. I'll try again to make some adjustments an post Xorg.0.log.

[talz13]

I just ran the script kano provided, and it looked good. It was showing direct rendering and everything checked out, but on reboot back to the black screen :(

I re-setup my 8.9 drivers and everything is working... What is with ati past 8.10 that is screwing me up?

[jimmal]

for me is the blackscreen (freeze) gone on the next reboot after this command:
try cp /etc/ati/amdpcsdb.default /etc/ati/amdpcsdb

[talz13]

for me is the blackscreen (freeze) gone on the next reboot after this command:
try cp /etc/ati/amdpcsdb.default /etc/ati/amdpcsdb

I will give that a try tomorrow!

[injate]

What if we don't have a /etc/ati/amdpcsdb.default ? Can it be moved or deleted and forced to re create a default version through a command or reinstall?

[grantek]

Yep, try:
mv /etc/ati/amdpcsdb ~/amdpcsdb-backup
aticonfig --initial

[talz13]

Ok, after installing with the script and copying the amdpcsdb.default over top of amdpcsdb it appears to be booting to the desktop alright. Is there a way to check which driver I am using? I just want to have some verification that everything went alright. My CCC says:Software
Catalyst Version 8.53
2D Driver Version 8.56.4
Catalyst Control Center Version 2.3Does that look right for 8.12?

[soder]

Yep, try:
mv /etc/ati/amdpcsdb ~/amdpcsdb-backup
aticonfig --initial

That doesnt work for creating a new file?

I have tried the newest Cat 9.1 and they dont work for me and my XBMC in Ubuntu 8.1. Everything is like in slow motion because of some low FPS.


I reinstalled the 8.552 from package manager, and I have created a new xorg.conf.

BUT, I have no amdpcsdb in my /usr/share/ati , and I know I need one to be able to adjust for my underscan for my plasma on HDMI/DVI.

So, my question are, HOW do I create a new amdpcsdb and make the driver use 'em?
Thanks

/Söder

[bridgman]

Have you run aticonfig --initial ? That might create the file if it's not there already.

[soder]

Have you run aticonfig --initial ? That might create the file if it's not there already.

Yes, I tried that. It didnt create anything but a new xorg.conf...

htpc@htpc-desktop:~$ aticonfig --initial
Found fglrx primary device section
Using /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Saved back-up to /etc/X11/xorg.conf.fglrx-3
aticonfig: Writing to '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' failed. Bad file descriptor.
htpc@htpc-desktop:~$

And more strange is, that I boot up with a flat screen monitor with VGA, and X start and I have picture.
I then plugg my TV in with HDMI/DVI, dual monitors, and picture on both. But underscan on the TV.

Then with
aticonfig --set-dispattrib=tmds2i,positionX:0
aticonfig --set-dispattrib=tmds2i,positionY:0
aticonfig --set-dispattrib=tmds2i,sizeX:1280
aticonfig --set-dispattrib=tmds2i,sizeY:720

I can get the underscan to disapear.
BUT before, I hade to use the setting
aticonfig --set-pcs-val=MCIL,DigitalHDTVDefaultUnderscan,0

to get rid of the underscan permanently.
Now I have no amdpcsdb to fix my underscan in, and when I reboot, without the flat screen monitor via VGA, I also get no picture on my plasma.

via SSH I can see that X are not running....
What shall I do?

/Söder

[soder]

Yes, I tried that. It didnt create anything but a new xorg.conf...

htpc@htpc-desktop:~$ aticonfig --initial
Found fglrx primary device section
Using /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Saved back-up to /etc/X11/xorg.conf.fglrx-3
aticonfig: Writing to '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' failed. Bad file descriptor.
htpc@htpc-desktop:~$

And more strange is, that I boot up with a flat screen monitor with VGA, and X start and I have picture.
I then plugg my TV in with HDMI/DVI, dual monitors, and picture on both. But underscan on the TV.

Then with
aticonfig --set-dispattrib=tmds2i,positionX:0
aticonfig --set-dispattrib=tmds2i,positionY:0
aticonfig --set-dispattrib=tmds2i,sizeX:1280
aticonfig --set-dispattrib=tmds2i,sizeY:720

I can get the underscan to disapear.
BUT before, I hade to use the setting
aticonfig --set-pcs-val=MCIL,DigitalHDTVDefaultUnderscan,0

to get rid of the underscan permanently.
Now I have no amdpcsdb to fix my underscan in, and when I reboot, without the flat screen monitor via VGA, I also get no picture on my plasma.

via SSH I can see that X are not running....
What shall I do?

/Söder

First I have to say, that catalyst 9.1 are the drivers Im gonna use.

And that it seems like the changed the path /usr/share/ati to /etc/ati for the file amdpcsdb

There where I am right now. Trying to get a picturer, not overscan, by editing the files amdpcsdb and amdpcsdb.default

Help please?

/Söder

[soder]

First I have to say, that catalyst 9.1 are the drivers Im gonna use.

And that it seems like the changed the path /usr/share/ati to /etc/ati for the file amdpcsdb

There where I am right now. Trying to get a picturer, not overscan, by editing the files amdpcsdb and amdpcsdb.default

Help please?

/Söder

This is what I did.
First copied.
Then in control panel changed, no overscan, vsync and AI.

htpc@htpc-desktop:/etc/ati$ sudo cp amdpcsdb amdpcsdb.TEST
htpc@htpc-desktop:/etc/ati$ diff amdpcsdb amdpcsdb.TEST
htpc@htpc-desktop:/etc/ati$ diff amdpcsdb amdpcsdb.TEST
156d155
< Centermode=Son
162,164d160
< [AMDPCSROOT/SYSTEM/BUSID-1:5:0-0/OpenGL]
< VSyncControl=V3
< CatalystAI=V2
172d167
< LastViewedPage=SMore Settings


Have to figuerer out how to fix the overscan.
If I edit to much in the .default, then I get no screen on boot up.

/Söder

[zim2dive]

This is what I did.
First copied.
Then in control panel changed, no overscan, vsync and AI.

htpc@htpc-desktop:/etc/ati$ sudo cp amdpcsdb amdpcsdb.TEST
htpc@htpc-desktop:/etc/ati$ diff amdpcsdb amdpcsdb.TEST
htpc@htpc-desktop:/etc/ati$ diff amdpcsdb amdpcsdb.TEST
156d155
< Centermode=Son
162,164d160
< [AMDPCSROOT/SYSTEM/BUSID-1:5:0-0/OpenGL]
< VSyncControl=V3
< CatalystAI=V2
172d167
< LastViewedPage=SMore Settings


Have to figuerer out how to fix the overscan.
If I edit to much in the .default, then I get no screen on boot up.

/Söder

I'm a little late to this party, but had a black screen last night. in case it helps anyone, some details at http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1054492&page=4

[soder]

This is what I did.
First copied.
Then in control panel changed, no overscan, vsync and AI.

htpc@htpc-desktop:/etc/ati$ sudo cp amdpcsdb amdpcsdb.TEST
htpc@htpc-desktop:/etc/ati$ diff amdpcsdb amdpcsdb.TEST
htpc@htpc-desktop:/etc/ati$ diff amdpcsdb amdpcsdb.TEST
156d155
< Centermode=Son
162,164d160
< [AMDPCSROOT/SYSTEM/BUSID-1:5:0-0/OpenGL]
< VSyncControl=V3
< CatalystAI=V2
172d167
< LastViewedPage=SMore Settings


Have to figuerer out how to fix the overscan.
If I edit to much in the .default, then I get no screen on boot up.

/Söder

I now also noticed, that if I change things in the CCCP, like vsync and stuff, its saved to amdpcsdb, but when I later reboot, I only get black.

I have to SSH and cp amdpcsdb.default amdpcsdb..

Something are fucked up with ATI...

/Söder

[Kano]

You could add a little startup script that just does

grep -q fixati /proc/cmdline && rm /etc/ati/amdpcsdb

then you can use for example that fixati option. You don't need to copy that file, just delete it.

[soder]

You could add a little startup script that just does

grep -q fixati /proc/cmdline && rm /etc/ati/amdpcsdb

then you can use for example that fixati option. You don't need to copy that file, just delete it.

OK, I will try that, but then you have to help me a little bit more. What shall be in the scrips, where shall the script be, and how do I autostart it?

Thanks

/Söder

[Kano]

In theory it depends a bit on the distro used, but when you know which startup script is used for X, most likely something like

/etc/init.d/{g,k.x}dm

then place it there.

[soder]

In theory it depends a bit on the distro used, but when you know which startup script is used for X, most likely something like

/etc/init.d/{g,k.x}dm

then place it there.

I use Ubuntu 8.10.
/Söder

[Kano]

Then check the gdm script.

[soder]

Then check the gdm script.

What script?

/Söder

[Kano]

/etc/init.d/gdm

is a shell script! You can add my example line to add handling of a new kernel option - or leave the grep out and use always

rm /etc/ati/amdpcsdb

at the beginning but after #!/bin/sh of course.

[soder]

/etc/init.d/gdm

is a shell script! You can add my example line to add handling of a new kernel option - or leave the grep out and use always

rm /etc/ati/amdpcsdb

at the beginning but after #!/bin/sh of course.

But, what shall I add for the underscan? The 4 manual lines?

I tried that in a script yesterday, moved the script to init.d, but then it didnt start.
Maybe it was cause of not removing the amdpcsdb?

BUT, if I remove that file, where will the 4 lines for underscan be written?

/Söder

[Kano]

well you can add that after that.

[soder]

well you can add that after that.

Hmm...sorry for being a complete idiot, but would you please type exact what I need in the script, and where to put it?

/Söder

[soder]

/etc/init.d/gdm

is a shell script! You can add my example line to add handling of a new kernel option - or leave the grep out and use always

rm /etc/ati/amdpcsdb

at the beginning but after #!/bin/sh of course.

Have someone tried the catalyst 9.2 and knows if the amdpcsdb works again, and if it now possible to corrent underscan with the line
"aticonfig --set-pcs-val=MCIL,DigitalHDTVDefaultUnderscan,0" ?

/Söder