Has anyone put linux on a Sony SB/SA/SC or other gfx switching laptop?

Specifically I was wondering if the gfx switching was supported in ubuntu via the built in physical switch?

I don't really know how ubuntu or other linux distro support for new hardware works, but I imagine it would take some time after a new laptop is released for new features and switches' drivers to be included in a distro.

Are there any other laptops with physical switches to change gfx that are working with ubuntu?

Basically I want to get a new laptop, preferably with a discrete gfx. As I often use ubuntu, anything with optimus seems out of the question, and I just want to know how much hassle physical gfx switching is going to be.

 

The ones with physical switches tend to be the first generation, I'm not sure about Sony laptops though. The ASUS N10J had a physical switch and it took a little bit of work but with a script it was able to detect at startup which card was in use and create symlinks for the relevant files. See: http://forum.notebookreview.com/lin...ware/315810-linux-asus-n10-n10j.html#graphics

 

Thanks for the reply.

I thought I was making the linux friendly choice by going with the SB with ATI gfx rather than other laptops with optimus. I hope it's not going to be too complicated to sort out.

I like using linux as my everyday OS, but I admit I really don't like faffing about trying to get drivers working and having to remember a whole bunch of scripts and customisations made that break every time I update to a new version...

I might have to lower my expectations and look for a laptop with only two of the following: portable / gaming capable / Linux friendly. I had hoped for all three.

 

If it's ATI software-switchable, try vga_switcheroo

 

I have linux on my t400 with switchable GPU and the only way to switch it is to do so in bios. Not a big deal as I never really was a switcher, as I usually kept one on at all times depending on my uses.

 

If /sys/kernel/debug/vgaswitcheroo/switch exists, then you're running a kernel with switcheroo. Cat it to see what you've got. On my 4820TG I get this:

cat /sys/kernel/debug/vgaswitcheroo/switch
0: wr:0000:01:00.0
1:+ wr:0000:00:02.0

The + is the IGP which I'm currently using, the 0: is the Discrete card which is powered on. To turn it off, as root I do:

echo "OFF" > /sys/kernel/debug/vgaswitcheroo/switch

and then the output of catting it is:

0: :Off:0000:01:00.0
1:+ wr:0000:00:02.0

and it's powered off. When I look at /proc/acpi/battery/BAT1/state I see my power draw has gone from ~3000 mA to ~1500 mA and battery life has gone from 2.5 hours to 4.5 to 5...

 

Thanks a lot for this sxooter, I've got my SB now and I just followed your instructions to turn off the discrete gfx. For some reason I got permission denied when I tried to look at /proc/acpi/battery/BAT1/state so I couldn't compare the power draw, but vgaswitcheroo is telling me the discrete gfx is off now.

So now i guess I just need to add this as a script to run when ubuntu starts.

 

You can also use sudo upower --dump | grep energy-rate to get discharge rate if cat /proc/acpi/battery/BAT0/state won't work for some reason.

 

Thanks, that worked. I'm getting 0.012 W ... is that any good?!

I guess I'll have to start up the discrete gfx again to compare.

 

Make sure you are on battery power to get an accurate reading for draw, if you're on AC power it will only give you the amount of power it takes to charge the battery.

 

Thanks, will do.

By the way I seem to have messed something up as since I turned off the discrete gfx with vgaswitcheroo, I haven't been able to boot up into ubuntu again. Sometimes it doesn't boot at all and sometimes it boots up and I can here the welcome sound, but the graphics are all messed up, and I can't see a thing...

Unfortunately I can't seem to boot recovery mode either...

Is there any easy way of resetting vgaswitcheroo?

 

It may be stuck with the card setting it was on last. You can try turning it off and removing AC power and the battery for a minute to hopefully reset the graphics switch.

 

That was a nice idea and I had high hopes! But no still won't boot properly...



I did manage to get it to boot once into recovery mode and then had another fiddle with vgaswitcheroo, but this time the terminal stopped working when I tried to turn the discrete gfx off again...

To be honest I don't even know what I'm supposed to be looking for to make this work again... Bit disappointed there isn't a boot from last known configuration option like with windows...

 

I can't really understand your problem since I don't know exactly what you did to get to the point you are at now. It sounds like a software issue.

For starters look at your /var/log/Xorg.0.log for lines that begin with WW or EE for warnings or errors. You can hit ctrl+alt+f1 to get to tty1 to log in and poke around outside of X windows.

 

Sure thing, don't worry I appreciate the pointers, I don't really think it's got much to do with vgaswitcheroo after all anyway.

I had some luck booting into recovery with the gfx switch set to internal gfx. I then repaired some packages and could get some semblance of normality back. It also fixed my trackpad which had suddenly broken a while back as well.

I have since been able to boot normally again but only with the gfx switch set to discrete gfx... (I think, or maybe I have to change the switch alternately to one setting and then the other... maybe only if I've switched stuff off with switcheroo?!)

basically its damn confusing and I have no idea what I'm doing! I have checked the power improvement when closing off the discrete gfx and it is halving the amount of power draw, so if I'm ever to use ubuntu away from the socket, I'm going to have to sort it out at some point...

EDIT:

Well I've no idea what's going on, now it's refusing to boot again, I'm getting one successful boot every 3 gos or so...

 

What distro are you on? When you get an unsuccessful boot, when you hit ctrl+alt+f1 login and look at your Xorg.0.log are there any warnings or errors?

Are you using the fglrx (proprietary ati) drivers? switcheroo isn't very friendly to these drivers, it's more designed for the (free, open source) radeon driver. I'm sure there are ways to make it work with fglrx but it's not going to be easy or pretty.

You can try moving your xorg.conf out of the way if you have one. Like this:

Code:

sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.disabled

That may let you at least get to a workable desktop using the radeon driver.

 

I'm on ubuntu natty, I was going to follow your advice but this time I was lucky and booted! Although I get a flashing cursor in the top left corner of the screen all the way up until the logon screen appears which is definitely not normal.

I'm only using the generic drivers, I specifically didn't install the ati ones because I heard there were problems.

I had a look in my Xorg.0.log there were a couple of WW about missing fonts and then a couple about having to resort to probe method for detecting vesa... means v little to me.

I've added it to my post just in case:

Code:

[    22.863]
X.Org X Server 1.10.1
Release Date: 2011-04-15
[    22.863] X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
[    22.863] Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.24-29-server x86_64 Ubuntu
[    22.863] Current Operating System: Linux Vaio-VPCSB1C5E 2.6.38-8-generic #42-Ubuntu SMP Mon Apr 11 03:31:24 UTC 2011 x86_64
[    22.863] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-8-generic root=UUID=f0745c88-11e8-48f4-9d3d-6718c4f07ba7 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
[    22.863] Build Date: 19 April 2011  03:40:45PM
[    22.863] xorg-server 2:1.10.1-1ubuntu1 (For technical support please see http://www.ubuntu.com/support)
[    22.863] Current version of pixman: 0.20.2
[    22.863] 	Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
	to make sure that you have the latest version.
[    22.863] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
	(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
	(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[    22.863] (==) Log file: "/var/log/Xorg.0.log", Time: Mon May 23 22:41:02 2011
[    22.864] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[    22.864] (==) No Layout section.  Using the first Screen section.
[    22.864] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
[    22.864] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
[    22.864] (**) |   |-->Monitor "<default monitor>"
[    22.864] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
	Using a default monitor configuration.
[    22.864] (==) Automatically adding devices
[    22.864] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[    22.864] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
[    22.864] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    22.864] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/" does not exist.
[    22.864] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    22.864] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/" does not exist.
[    22.864] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    22.864] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi" does not exist.
[    22.864] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    22.864] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi" does not exist.
[    22.864] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[    22.864] (==) FontPath set to:
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1,
	/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType,
	built-ins
[    22.864] (==) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/xorg/extra-modules,/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
[    22.864] (II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
	If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
[    22.864] (II) Loader magic: 0x7e0280
[    22.864] (II) Module ABI versions:
[    22.864] 	X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[    22.864] 	X.Org Video Driver: 10.0
[    22.864] 	X.Org XInput driver : 12.3
[    22.864] 	X.Org Server Extension : 5.0
[    22.865] (--) PCI:*(0:0:2:0) 8086:0116:104d:907b rev 9, Mem @ 0xc0000000/4194304, 0xb0000000/268435456, I/O @ 0x00008000/64
[    22.865] (--) PCI: (0:1:0:0) 1002:6741:104d:907b rev 0, Mem @ 0xa0000000/268435456, 0xc8400000/131072, I/O @ 0x00007000/256, BIOS @ 0x????????/131072
[    22.865] (II) Open ACPI successful (/var/run/acpid.socket)
[    22.865] (II) LoadModule: "extmod"
[    22.866] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libextmod.so
[    22.866] (II) Module extmod: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    22.866] 	compiled for 1.10.1, module version = 1.0.0
[    22.866] 	Module class: X.Org Server Extension
[    22.866] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 5.0
[    22.866] (II) Loading extension MIT-SCREEN-SAVER
[    22.866] (II) Loading extension XFree86-VidModeExtension
[    22.866] (II) Loading extension XFree86-DGA
[    22.866] (II) Loading extension DPMS
[    22.866] (II) Loading extension XVideo
[    22.866] (II) Loading extension XVideo-MotionCompensation
[    22.866] (II) Loading extension X-Resource
[    22.866] (II) LoadModule: "dbe"
[    22.866] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdbe.so
[    22.866] (II) Module dbe: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    22.866] 	compiled for 1.10.1, module version = 1.0.0
[    22.866] 	Module class: X.Org Server Extension
[    22.866] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 5.0
[    22.866] (II) Loading extension DOUBLE-BUFFER
[    22.866] (II) LoadModule: "glx"
[    22.866] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so
[    22.866] (II) Module glx: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    22.866] 	compiled for 1.10.1, module version = 1.0.0
[    22.866] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 5.0
[    22.867] (==) AIGLX enabled
[    22.867] (II) Loading extension GLX
[    22.867] (II) LoadModule: "record"
[    22.867] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/librecord.so
[    22.867] (II) Module record: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    22.867] 	compiled for 1.10.1, module version = 1.13.0
[    22.867] 	Module class: X.Org Server Extension
[    22.867] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 5.0
[    22.867] (II) Loading extension RECORD
[    22.867] (II) LoadModule: "dri"
[    22.867] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdri.so
[    22.867] (II) Module dri: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    22.867] 	compiled for 1.10.1, module version = 1.0.0
[    22.867] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 5.0
[    22.867] (II) Loading extension XFree86-DRI
[    22.867] (II) LoadModule: "dri2"
[    22.867] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libdri2.so
[    22.867] (II) Module dri2: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    22.867] 	compiled for 1.10.1, module version = 1.2.0
[    22.867] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 5.0
[    22.867] (II) Loading extension DRI2
[    22.867] (==) Matched intel as autoconfigured driver 0
[    22.867] (==) Matched vesa as autoconfigured driver 1
[    22.867] (==) Matched fbdev as autoconfigured driver 2
[    22.867] (==) Assigned the driver to the xf86ConfigLayout
[    22.867] (II) LoadModule: "intel"
[    22.868] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/intel_drv.so
[    22.868] (II) Module intel: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    22.868] 	compiled for 1.10.1, module version = 2.14.0
[    22.868] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[    22.868] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 10.0
[    22.868] (II) LoadModule: "vesa"
[    22.868] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/vesa_drv.so
[    22.868] (II) Module vesa: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    22.868] 	compiled for 1.10.0, module version = 2.3.0
[    22.868] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[    22.868] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 10.0
[    22.868] (II) LoadModule: "fbdev"
[    22.868] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/fbdev_drv.so
[    22.868] (II) Module fbdev: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    22.868] 	compiled for 1.10.0, module version = 0.4.2
[    22.868] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 10.0
[    22.868] (II) intel: Driver for Intel Integrated Graphics Chipsets: i810,
	i810-dc100, i810e, i815, i830M, 845G, 854, 852GM/855GM, 865G, 915G,
	E7221 (i915), 915GM, 945G, 945GM, 945GME, Pineview GM, Pineview G,
	965G, G35, 965Q, 946GZ, 965GM, 965GME/GLE, G33, Q35, Q33, GM45,
	4 Series, G45/G43, Q45/Q43, G41, B43, B43, Clarkdale, Arrandale,
	Sandybridge, Sandybridge, Sandybridge, Sandybridge, Sandybridge,
	Sandybridge, Sandybridge
[    22.869] (II) VESA: driver for VESA chipsets: vesa
[    22.869] (II) FBDEV: driver for framebuffer: fbdev
[    22.869] (++) using VT number 7

[    22.870] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/intel_drv.so
[    22.870] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for vesa
[    22.870] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for fbdev
[    22.870] (II) Loading sub module "fbdevhw"
[    22.870] (II) LoadModule: "fbdevhw"
[    22.870] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libfbdevhw.so
[    22.870] (II) Module fbdevhw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    22.870] 	compiled for 1.10.1, module version = 0.0.2
[    22.870] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 10.0
[    22.870] drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
[    22.973] drmOpenDevice: open result is 9, (OK)
[    22.973] drmOpenByBusid: Searching for BusID pci:0000:00:02.0
[    22.973] drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card0
[    22.973] drmOpenDevice: open result is 9, (OK)
[    22.973] drmOpenByBusid: drmOpenMinor returns 9
[    22.973] drmOpenByBusid: drmGetBusid reports pci:0000:01:00.0
[    22.973] drmOpenDevice: node name is /dev/dri/card1
[    22.973] drmOpenDevice: open result is 9, (OK)
[    22.973] drmOpenByBusid: drmOpenMinor returns 9
[    22.973] drmOpenByBusid: drmGetBusid reports pci:0000:00:02.0
[    22.973] (II) intel(0): Creating default Display subsection in Screen section
	"Default Screen Section" for depth/fbbpp 24/32
[    22.973] (==) intel(0): Depth 24, (--) framebuffer bpp 32
[    22.973] (==) intel(0): RGB weight 888
[    22.973] (==) intel(0): Default visual is TrueColor
[    22.973] (II) intel(0): Integrated Graphics Chipset: Intel(R) Sandybridge
[    22.973] (--) intel(0): Chipset: "Sandybridge"
[    22.973] (**) intel(0): Relaxed fencing enabled
[    22.973] (**) intel(0): Tiling enabled
[    22.973] (**) intel(0): SwapBuffers wait disabled
[    22.973] (==) intel(0): video overlay key set to 0x101fe
[    22.973] (II) intel(0): Output LVDS1 has no monitor section
[    22.973] (II) intel(0): found backlight control interface /sys/class/backlight/acpi_video1
[    22.973] (II) intel(0): Output VGA1 has no monitor section
[    22.978] (II) intel(0): Output HDMI1 has no monitor section
[    22.979] (II) intel(0): Output DP1 has no monitor section
[    22.984] (II) intel(0): Output HDMI2 has no monitor section
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Output DP2 has no monitor section
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): EDID for output LVDS1
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "320x240" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "400x300" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "400x300" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "512x384" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "640x480" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "640x512" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "800x600" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "896x672" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "928x696" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "960x720" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "576x432" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "680x384" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "680x384" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "700x525" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "720x450" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "800x512" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.985] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "840x525" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "840x525" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "960x540" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "960x600" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Not using default mode "1024x768" (doublescan mode not supported)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Printing probed modes for output LVDS1
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Modeline "1366x768"x59.9   76.11  1366 1397 1462 1560  768 772 784 814 -hsync -vsync (48.8 kHz)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Modeline "1360x768"x59.8   84.75  1360 1432 1568 1776  768 771 781 798 -hsync +vsync (47.7 kHz)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Modeline "1360x768"x60.0   72.00  1360 1408 1440 1520  768 771 781 790 +hsync -vsync (47.4 kHz)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Modeline "1024x768"x60.0   65.00  1024 1048 1184 1344  768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync (48.4 kHz)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Modeline "800x600"x60.3   40.00  800 840 968 1056  600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync (37.9 kHz)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Modeline "800x600"x56.2   36.00  800 824 896 1024  600 601 603 625 +hsync +vsync (35.2 kHz)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): Modeline "640x480"x59.9   25.18  640 656 752 800  480 490 492 525 -hsync -vsync (31.5 kHz)
[    22.986] (II) intel(0): EDID for output VGA1
[    22.991] (II) intel(0): EDID for output HDMI1
[    22.992] (II) intel(0): EDID for output DP1
[    22.996] (II) intel(0): EDID for output HDMI2
[    22.997] (II) intel(0): EDID for output DP2
[    22.997] (II) intel(0): Output LVDS1 connected
[    22.997] (II) intel(0): Output VGA1 disconnected
[    22.997] (II) intel(0): Output HDMI1 disconnected
[    22.997] (II) intel(0): Output DP1 disconnected
[    22.997] (II) intel(0): Output HDMI2 disconnected
[    22.997] (II) intel(0): Output DP2 disconnected
[    22.997] (II) intel(0): Using exact sizes for initial modes
[    22.998] (II) intel(0): Output LVDS1 using initial mode 1366x768
[    22.998] (II) intel(0): Using default gamma of (1.0, 1.0, 1.0) unless otherwise stated.
[    22.998] (II) intel(0): Kernel page flipping support detected, enabling
[    22.998] (==) intel(0): DPI set to (96, 96)
[    22.998] (II) Loading sub module "fb"
[    22.998] (II) LoadModule: "fb"
[    22.998] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libfb.so
[    22.998] (II) Module fb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    22.998] 	compiled for 1.10.1, module version = 1.0.0
[    22.998] 	ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version 0.4
[    22.998] (II) UnloadModule: "vesa"
[    22.998] (II) Unloading vesa
[    22.998] (II) UnloadModule: "fbdev"
[    22.998] (II) Unloading fbdev
[    22.998] (II) UnloadModule: "fbdevhw"
[    22.998] (II) Unloading fbdevhw
[    22.998] (==) Depth 24 pixmap format is 32 bpp
[    22.998] (==) intel(0): VideoRam: 262144 KB
[    22.998] (II) intel(0): [DRI2] Setup complete
[    22.998] (II) intel(0): [DRI2]   DRI driver: i965
[    22.998] (II) intel(0): Allocated new frame buffer 1408x768 stride 5632, tiled
[    22.999] (II) UXA(0): Driver registered support for the following operations:
[    22.999] (II)         solid
[    22.999] (II)         copy
[    22.999] (II)         composite (RENDER acceleration)
[    22.999] (II)         put_image
[    22.999] (II)         get_image
[    22.999] (==) intel(0): Backing store disabled
[    22.999] (==) intel(0): Silken mouse enabled
[    22.999] (II) intel(0): Initializing HW Cursor
[    22.999] (EE) intel(0): Couldn't create pixmap for fbcon
[    23.130] (II) intel(0): RandR 1.2 enabled, ignore the following RandR disabled message.
[    23.131] (==) intel(0): DPMS enabled
[    23.131] (==) intel(0): Intel XvMC decoder enabled
[    23.131] (II) intel(0): Set up textured video
[    23.131] (II) intel(0): [XvMC] xvmc_vld driver initialized.
[    23.131] (II) intel(0): direct rendering: DRI2 Enabled
[    23.131] (==) intel(0): hotplug detection: "enabled"
[    23.131] (--) RandR disabled
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension Generic Event Extension
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension SHAPE
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension MIT-SHM
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension XInputExtension
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension XTEST
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension BIG-REQUESTS
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension SYNC
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension XKEYBOARD
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension XC-MISC
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension SECURITY
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension XINERAMA
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension XFIXES
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension RENDER
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension RANDR
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension COMPOSITE
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension DAMAGE
[    23.131] (II) Initializing built-in extension GESTURE
[    23.135] (II) AIGLX: Trying DRI driver /usr/lib/dri/i965_dri.so
[    23.138] (II) AIGLX: enabled GLX_MESA_copy_sub_buffer
[    23.138] (II) AIGLX: enabled GLX_INTEL_swap_event
[    23.138] (II) AIGLX: enabled GLX_SGI_swap_control and GLX_MESA_swap_control
[    23.138] (II) AIGLX: enabled GLX_SGI_make_current_read
[    23.138] (II) AIGLX: GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap backed by buffer objects
[    23.138] (II) AIGLX: Loaded and initialized i965
[    23.138] (II) GLX: Initialized DRI2 GL provider for screen 0
[    23.138] (II) intel(0): Setting screen physical size to 361 x 203
[    23.147] (II) XKB: reuse xkmfile /var/lib/xkb/server-B20D7FC79C7F597315E3E501AEF10E0D866E8E92.xkm
[    23.153] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Video Bus (/dev/input/event11)
[    23.153] (**) Video Bus: Applying InputClass "evdev keyboard catchall"
[    23.153] (II) LoadModule: "evdev"
[    23.153] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[    23.154] (II) Module evdev: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    23.154] 	compiled for 1.10.0.902, module version = 2.6.0
[    23.154] 	Module class: X.Org XInput Driver
[    23.154] 	ABI class: X.Org XInput driver, version 12.3
[    23.154] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Video Bus'
[    23.154] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[    23.154] (**) Video Bus: always reports core events
[    23.154] (**) Video Bus: Device: "/dev/input/event11"
[    23.210] (--) Video Bus: Found keys
[    23.210] (II) Video Bus: Configuring as keyboard
[    23.210] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/LNXSYSTM:00/device:00/PNP0A08:00/LNXVIDEO:09/input/input11/event11"
[    23.210] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Video Bus" (type: KEYBOARD)
[    23.210] (**) Option "xkb_rules" "evdev"
[    23.210] (**) Option "xkb_model" "pc105"
[    23.210] (**) Option "xkb_layout" "gb"
[    23.211] (II) XKB: reuse xkmfile /var/lib/xkb/server-2B4266AA55228AE7D9557A18F1965DBA19850816.xkm
[    23.215] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Sony Vaio Keys (/dev/input/event5)
[    23.215] (**) Sony Vaio Keys: Applying InputClass "evdev keyboard catchall"
[    23.215] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Sony Vaio Keys'
[    23.215] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[    23.215] (**) Sony Vaio Keys: always reports core events
[    23.215] (**) Sony Vaio Keys: Device: "/dev/input/event5"
[    23.320] (--) Sony Vaio Keys: Found keys
[    23.320] (II) Sony Vaio Keys: Configuring as keyboard
[    23.320] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/LNXSYSTM:00/device:00/PNP0A08:00/device:01/SNY5001:00/input/input5/event5"
[    23.320] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Sony Vaio Keys" (type: KEYBOARD)
[    23.320] (**) Option "xkb_rules" "evdev"
[    23.320] (**) Option "xkb_model" "pc105"
[    23.320] (**) Option "xkb_layout" "gb"
[    23.321] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Video Bus (/dev/input/event10)
[    23.321] (**) Video Bus: Applying InputClass "evdev keyboard catchall"
[    23.321] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Video Bus'
[    23.321] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[    23.321] (**) Video Bus: always reports core events
[    23.321] (**) Video Bus: Device: "/dev/input/event10"
[    23.400] (--) Video Bus: Found keys
[    23.400] (II) Video Bus: Configuring as keyboard
[    23.400] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/LNXSYSTM:00/device:00/PNP0A08:00/device:27/LNXVIDEO:00/input/input10/event10"
[    23.400] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Video Bus" (type: KEYBOARD)
[    23.400] (**) Option "xkb_rules" "evdev"
[    23.400] (**) Option "xkb_model" "pc105"
[    23.400] (**) Option "xkb_layout" "gb"
[    23.400] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Power Button (/dev/input/event1)
[    23.400] (**) Power Button: Applying InputClass "evdev keyboard catchall"
[    23.400] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Power Button'
[    23.400] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[    23.400] (**) Power Button: always reports core events
[    23.400] (**) Power Button: Device: "/dev/input/event1"
[    23.480] (--) Power Button: Found keys
[    23.480] (II) Power Button: Configuring as keyboard
[    23.480] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/LNXSYSTM:00/device:00/PNP0C0C:00/input/input1/event1"
[    23.480] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Power Button" (type: KEYBOARD)
[    23.480] (**) Option "xkb_rules" "evdev"
[    23.480] (**) Option "xkb_model" "pc105"
[    23.480] (**) Option "xkb_layout" "gb"
[    23.480] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Lid Switch (/dev/input/event0)
[    23.480] (II) No input driver/identifier specified (ignoring)
[    23.482] (II) config/udev: Adding input device USB 2.0 Camera (/dev/input/event4)
[    23.482] (**) USB 2.0 Camera: Applying InputClass "evdev keyboard catchall"
[    23.482] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'USB 2.0 Camera'
[    23.482] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[    23.482] (**) USB 2.0 Camera: always reports core events
[    23.482] (**) USB 2.0 Camera: Device: "/dev/input/event4"
[    23.560] (--) USB 2.0 Camera: Found keys
[    23.560] (II) USB 2.0 Camera: Configuring as keyboard
[    23.560] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb1/1-1/1-1.3/1-1.3:1.0/input/input4/event4"
[    23.560] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "USB 2.0 Camera" (type: KEYBOARD)
[    23.560] (**) Option "xkb_rules" "evdev"
[    23.560] (**) Option "xkb_model" "pc105"
[    23.560] (**) Option "xkb_layout" "gb"
[    23.562] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Western Digital My Book (/dev/input/event9)
[    23.562] (**) Western Digital My Book: Applying InputClass "evdev keyboard catchall"
[    23.562] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Western Digital My Book'
[    23.562] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[    23.562] (**) Western Digital My Book: always reports core events
[    23.562] (**) Western Digital My Book: Device: "/dev/input/event9"
[    23.650] (--) Western Digital My Book: Found 20 mouse buttons
[    23.650] (II) Western Digital My Book: Configuring as mouse
[    23.650] (**) Western Digital My Book: YAxisMapping: buttons 4 and 5
[    23.650] (**) Western Digital My Book: EmulateWheelButton: 4, EmulateWheelInertia: 10, EmulateWheelTimeout: 200
[    23.650] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1c.2/0000:04:00.0/usb3/3-3/3-3:1.1/input/input9/event9"
[    23.650] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Western Digital My Book" (type: MOUSE)
[    23.651] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse (/dev/input/event3)
[    23.651] (**) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: Applying InputClass "evdev pointer catchall"
[    23.651] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse'
[    23.651] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[    23.651] (**) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: always reports core events
[    23.651] (**) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: Device: "/dev/input/event3"
[    23.690] (--) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: Found 9 mouse buttons
[    23.690] (--) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: Found scroll wheel(s)
[    23.690] (--) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: Found relative axes
[    23.690] (--) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: Found x and y relative axes
[    23.690] (II) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: Configuring as mouse
[    23.690] (II) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: Adding scrollwheel support
[    23.690] (**) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: YAxisMapping: buttons 4 and 5
[    23.690] (**) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: EmulateWheelButton: 4, EmulateWheelInertia: 10, EmulateWheelTimeout: 200
[    23.690] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.0/usb2/2-1/2-1.2/2-1.2:1.0/input/input3/event3"
[    23.690] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse" (type: MOUSE)
[    23.690] (II) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: initialized for relative axes.
[    23.690] (**) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: (accel) keeping acceleration scheme 1
[    23.690] (**) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: (accel) acceleration profile 0
[    23.690] (**) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: (accel) acceleration factor: 2.000
[    23.690] (**) Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse: (accel) acceleration threshold: 4
[    23.690] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Cypress Sem PS2/USB Browser Combo Mouse (/dev/input/mouse0)
[    23.690] (II) No input driver/identifier specified (ignoring)
[    23.692] (II) config/udev: Adding input device AT Translated Set 2 keyboard (/dev/input/event2)
[    23.692] (**) AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: Applying InputClass "evdev keyboard catchall"
[    23.692] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'AT Translated Set 2 keyboard'
[    23.692] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[    23.692] (**) AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: always reports core events
[    23.692] (**) AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: Device: "/dev/input/event2"
[    23.760] (--) AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: Found keys
[    23.760] (II) AT Translated Set 2 keyboard: Configuring as keyboard
[    23.760] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/platform/i8042/serio0/input/input2/event2"
[    23.760] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "AT Translated Set 2 keyboard" (type: KEYBOARD)
[    23.760] (**) Option "xkb_rules" "evdev"
[    23.760] (**) Option "xkb_model" "pc105"
[    23.760] (**) Option "xkb_layout" "gb"
[    23.760] (II) config/udev: Adding input device PS/2 Mouse (/dev/input/event7)
[    23.760] (**) PS/2 Mouse: Applying InputClass "evdev pointer catchall"
[    23.760] (II) Using input driver 'evdev' for 'PS/2 Mouse'
[    23.760] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/evdev_drv.so
[    23.760] (**) PS/2 Mouse: always reports core events
[    23.760] (**) PS/2 Mouse: Device: "/dev/input/event7"
[    23.800] (--) PS/2 Mouse: Found 3 mouse buttons
[    23.800] (--) PS/2 Mouse: Found relative axes
[    23.800] (--) PS/2 Mouse: Found x and y relative axes
[    23.800] (II) PS/2 Mouse: Configuring as mouse
[    23.800] (**) PS/2 Mouse: YAxisMapping: buttons 4 and 5
[    23.800] (**) PS/2 Mouse: EmulateWheelButton: 4, EmulateWheelInertia: 10, EmulateWheelTimeout: 200
[    23.800] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/platform/i8042/serio1/input/input7/event7"
[    23.800] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "PS/2 Mouse" (type: MOUSE)
[    23.800] (II) PS/2 Mouse: initialized for relative axes.
[    23.800] (**) PS/2 Mouse: (accel) keeping acceleration scheme 1
[    23.800] (**) PS/2 Mouse: (accel) acceleration profile 0
[    23.800] (**) PS/2 Mouse: (accel) acceleration factor: 2.000
[    23.800] (**) PS/2 Mouse: (accel) acceleration threshold: 4
[    23.800] (II) config/udev: Adding input device PS/2 Mouse (/dev/input/mouse2)
[    23.800] (II) No input driver/identifier specified (ignoring)
[    23.800] (II) config/udev: Adding input device AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint (/dev/input/event8)
[    23.800] (**) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: Applying InputClass "evdev touchpad catchall"
[    23.800] (**) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: Applying InputClass "touchpad catchall"
[    23.800] (II) LoadModule: "synaptics"
[    23.801] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/synaptics_drv.so
[    23.801] (II) Module synaptics: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[    23.801] 	compiled for 1.10.0.902, module version = 1.3.99
[    23.801] 	Module class: X.Org XInput Driver
[    23.801] 	ABI class: X.Org XInput driver, version 12.3
[    23.801] (II) Using input driver 'synaptics' for 'AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint'
[    23.801] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/input/synaptics_drv.so
[    23.801] (**) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: always reports core events
[    23.801] (**) Option "Device" "/dev/input/event8"
[    23.900] (--) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: x-axis range 0 - 1023
[    23.900] (--) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: y-axis range 0 - 767
[    23.900] (--) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: pressure range 0 - 127
[    23.900] (--) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: buttons: left right middle
[    23.900] (--) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: invalid finger width range.  defaulting to 0 - 16
[    23.900] (--) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: touchpad found
[    23.900] (**) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: always reports core events
[    23.900] (**) Option "config_info" "udev:/sys/devices/platform/i8042/serio1/input/input8/event8"
[    23.900] (II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint" (type: TOUCHPAD)
[    23.900] (**) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: (accel) MinSpeed is now constant deceleration 2.5
[    23.900] (**) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: MaxSpeed is now 1.75
[    23.900] (**) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: AccelFactor is now 0.156
[    23.900] (**) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: (accel) keeping acceleration scheme 1
[    23.900] (**) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: (accel) acceleration profile 1
[    23.900] (**) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: (accel) acceleration factor: 2.000
[    23.900] (**) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: (accel) acceleration threshold: 4
[    23.900] (II) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: failed to open grail, no gesture support
[    23.900] (--) AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint: touchpad found
[    23.901] (II) config/udev: Adding input device AlpsPS/2 ALPS GlidePoint (/dev/input/mouse3)
[    23.901] (II) No input driver/identifier specified (ignoring)
[    23.904] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Sony Vaio Jogdial (/dev/input/event6)
[    23.904] (II) No input driver/identifier specified (ignoring)
[    23.904] (II) config/udev: Adding input device Sony Vaio Jogdial (/dev/input/mouse1)
[    23.904] (II) No input driver/identifier specified (ignoring)
[    23.908] (II) config/udev: Adding input device HDA Intel PCH Headphone (/dev/input/event12)
[    23.908] (II) No input driver/identifier specified (ignoring)

I don't know whether I should just reinstall and start again... what worries most is that I've had a couple of problems so far, and I can't really isolate them to something new I've installed or anything, the problems seem to have just "happened"!

Although I haven't had any success booting to ubuntu with the switch on the integrated intel gfx, vgaswitcheroo says I am using it as opposed to the ati gfx:

Code:

root@Vaio-VPCSB1C5E:~# lspci | grep VGA
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 09)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc NI Whistler [AMD Radeon HD 6600M Series]
root@Vaio-VPCSB1C5E:~# cat /sys/kernel/debug/vgaswitcheroo/switch
0:DIS: :Pwr:0000:01:00.0
1:IGD:+:Pwr:0000:00:02.0
root@Vaio-VPCSB1C5E:~#

 

There's nothing there that looks like it would be a fatal error. But your system booted fine this time so it doesn't say much.

It's hard to know what is going on - try to think of what you've changed since this started happening.

 

Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.

It seems that a few other SB users have had similar problems and there might be some sort of "driver race" whereby the modules/drivers for the two gfx cards both load and depending on which one loads first you can boot or not... (if that makes any sense?)

Anyway this thread might have some solutions so I'm going to try them out and see what happens...

 

That would seem to explain it