Created attachment 284845 [details] the config for linux 2.6.39-gentoo-r3 When compiling linux kernel (tried both stable 2.6.39-gentoo-r3 and 3.0.3-gentoo) with radeon KMS enabled (see the attached config for 2.6.39) on HP EliteBook 8460p notebook, the booting fail before init is started. Both kernels behave in the same way. The reason is (most probably) KMS of the Radeon HD 6470M video card. Looking at the screen, I see (hopefully) correct messages about DRM, TTM and Radeon KMS initialization. Then, "switching to clocksource tsc" message hangs for about a minute, and white screen appears after this {I will try to attach photos of the screen). Unfortunately, I am not able to give more information, since the computer needs to be switched off then. When setting "nomodeset" to the kernel boot options, kernel boots, except everything being in text console and X.org (1.10.2 with video-ati-6.14.2 and radeon-ucode-20110302) refusing to start since "radeon" driver needs KMS enabled. I will try catalyst driver, but I would prefer the open radeon driver, so I fill this report. Just guessing: - may "ATOM BIOS: HP" be important? May HP make "linux-incomatible" changes to ATOM BIOS of the video card?
Created attachment 284847 [details] "Screenshot" of boot (when hanging on "clocksource") before going to white screen
If you set CONFIG_DRM_RADEON=y you need to include the firmware files in CONFIG_EXTRA_FIRMWARE. If radeon firmware is missing, the kernel will hang on boot for about 60 seconds and some graphics functions won't work (should still be accessible via ssh though). See http://www.gentoo.org/doc/en/xorg-config.xml for details, you probably need "radeon/BTC_rlc.bin radeon/CAICOS_mc.bin radeon/CAICOS_me.bin radeon/CAICOS_pfp.bin"
Thank you. I have microcode included in kernel's .config, but not all of what has been recommended by radeon-ucode post-install message (my silly attempt for optimization ...). Including all the the recommended firmware files made the issue invalid. Thank you very much!
