Bug#694777: Wheezy Beta4 installs but X server unusable
On Fri 30 Nov 2012 at 16:52:20 -0500, Lou Poppler wrote:
> On Fri, 30 Nov 2012, Lou Poppler wrote:
>
> >01:00.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Advanced Micro Devices
> >[AMD] nee ATI RV610 [Radeon HD 2400 XT] [1002:94c1]
> > Subsystem: Dell Optiplex 755 [1028:0d02]
> > Kernel driver in use: radeon
> [ ... ]
> >Various online research brings me to
> >http://wiki.debian.org/AtiHowTo
> >which looks like I should install some non-free firmware for this card.
> >I find this in the running dmesg:
> >root@ivanovad:/var/log# dmesg |grep -i firmware
> >[ 8.322395] r600_cp: Failed to load firmware "radeon/RV610_pfp.bin"
> >[ 8.322442] [drm:r600_startup] *ERROR* Failed to load firmware!
>
> I am happy to report that installing the non-free firmware blob fixed
> my problem, everything worked correctly upon the next wheezy boot.
That is good to know.
May I inquire why you did not have the contents of firmware-linux-nonfree
available to use during the installation on a "just in case" basis? It is
something I have got into the habit of doing, especially when I'm
unfamiliar with the machine's hardware.
I ask because the Guide does have some detailed information on firmware
in sections 2.2 and 6.4. It would be useful to have some feedback on
whether the documenation is deficient in some way amd you did not quite
realise its importance.
> Perhaps the installer could warn the user if her video card is among those
> listed in AtiHowTo and the installer doesn't see the firmware supplied
> somewhere by the user. Perhaps just a referral to the wiki page ?
Didn't the installer ask for RV610_pfp.bin to be supplied?
> However, the instructions at AtiHowTo didn't quite work as written:
[Snip]
> I don't know if the update was implicit in the wiki-page's instructions,
> but if so that wasn't clear to this non-expert.
If you feel adding a note about updating would be helpful you are free
to edit the wiki.
> Anyway, I'm happy now. I hope my pitiful example is helpful to those who
> follow after me....
Please do not underestimate your contribution to producing a polished,
effective installer. You were unfortunate in encountering at least one
bug in the betas. Thank you for your perseverence.
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