[Bug 1528708] [NEW] Artefacts on boot when using gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode in Grub

[Jane Atkinson]

Public bug reported:

Since kernel version 4.3 was added to xenial, I've been unable to boot
to a usable desktop when using the default Grub settings. Most, but not
all, of the screen is covered with an overlay, shown in the attached
screenshot.

When experimenting with a fresh install, I discovered that the same
thing happens even with a command-line-only system, before X is
installed.


Hardware: Asus EeePC 900

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics Controller [8086:2592] (rev 04) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
00:02.1 Display controller [0380]: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics Controller [8086:2792] (rev 04)


The workaround is to remove the line: 

gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode

from Grub.

For the moment, I've changed /etc/grub.d/10_linux to

 $gfxpayload_dynamic="0"

so that the change holds after update-grub is run.

The daily live ISO (I've tested with Xubuntu only) boots to a normal
desktop.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
Package: grub2 (not installed)
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.3.0-5.16-generic 4.3.3
Uname: Linux 4.3.0-5-generic i686
ApportVersion: 2.19.3-0ubuntu2
Architecture: i386
Date: Wed Dec 23 11:19:05 2015
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=en
 TERM=xterm
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: grub2
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

** Affects: grub2 (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: apport-bug i386 xenial

** Attachment added: "Screenshot of desktop"
   https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1528708/+attachment/4539284/+files/eeepc_900_gfx.jpg

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1528708

Title:
  Artefacts on boot when using gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode in Grub

Status in grub2 package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  Since kernel version 4.3 was added to xenial, I've been unable to boot
  to a usable desktop when using the default Grub settings. Most, but
  not all, of the screen is covered with an overlay, shown in the
  attached screenshot.

  When experimenting with a fresh install, I discovered that the same
  thing happens even with a command-line-only system, before X is
  installed.

  
  Hardware: Asus EeePC 900

  00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics Controller [8086:2592] (rev 04) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
  00:02.1 Display controller [0380]: Intel Corporation Mobile 915GM/GMS/910GML Express Graphics Controller [8086:2792] (rev 04)

  
  The workaround is to remove the line: 

  gfxmode $linux_gfx_mode

  from Grub.

  For the moment, I've changed /etc/grub.d/10_linux to

   $gfxpayload_dynamic="0"

  so that the change holds after update-grub is run.

  The daily live ISO (I've tested with Xubuntu only) boots to a normal
  desktop.

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
  Package: grub2 (not installed)
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.3.0-5.16-generic 4.3.3
  Uname: Linux 4.3.0-5-generic i686
  ApportVersion: 2.19.3-0ubuntu2
  Architecture: i386
  Date: Wed Dec 23 11:19:05 2015
  ProcEnviron:
   LANGUAGE=en
   TERM=xterm
   PATH=(custom, no user)
   LANG=en_US.UTF-8
   SHELL=/bin/bash
  SourcePackage: grub2
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

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