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Re: graphic cards was efi problem

From David Christensen <dpchrist@holgerdanske.com>
Newsgroups linux.debian.user
Subject Re: graphic cards was efi problem
Date 2023-04-24 11:30 +0200
Message-ID <Go0Ge-49SY-5@gated-at.bofh.it> (permalink)
References <GnO2l-41Uc-3@gated-at.bofh.it> <GnO2l-41Uc-1@gated-at.bofh.it> <GnOvn-42iN-5@gated-at.bofh.it> <Go0Ge-49SY-7@gated-at.bofh.it>
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On 4/22/23 22:07, mick.crane wrote:
> Dell Precision T3600

I assume this is the computer for the subject thread.


On 4/23/23 15:45, mick.crane wrote:
> On 2023-04-23 20:21, David Christensen wrote:
>> On 4/23/23 12:56, mick.crane wrote:
>>> Please be considerate of us oldies who struggle with the
>>> technology. I successfully booted from the CD and reinstalled
>>> Debian. The purpose for doing this was that I was having pixel
>>> glitches on the monitor and some freezes. Thinking anything I've
>>> done that might be causing that will be eradicated with a fresh
>>> install. Well the pixel glitches are still there so I'm assuming
>>> the graphics card is defective and I should get another one. 
>>> Interestingly the Krita documentation says that they aren't
>>> putting any time into using the graphics card memory as they
>>> think graphics cards will the defunct in the future. I wondered
>>> if there is some way to examine graphics card memory and mark as
>>> bad or something.
>>> 
>>> mick
>> 
>> 
>> Please describe in detail what you mean by "pixel glitches".  How 
>> many? Size?  Shape?  Color?  Static or dynamic?
>> 
>> 
>> Have you tried A/B testing the graphics card (e.g. video signal 
>> transmitter) by using a second monitor?  What were the results?
>> 
>> 
>> Have you tried A/B testing the monitor (e.g. video signal receiver)
>> by using a second computer?  What were the results?
> 
> on the desktop there were red blocks of pixels, small like a typeface
>  size, maybe 3 or 4 of them always in top left corner of screen. In a
> browser pale blue ones 4 or 5 around an input text window, I have
> reinstalled bookworm now. Hats off to whoever does the installer 
> because it's great. Funnily without touching anything there are no
> pixel glitches now after this install but if I open a browser and do
> anything everything crashes. Out of interest I installed Devuan on
> another PC and using same monitor there were no issues. It could be
> anything but not having the errant pixels for now is encouraging.


On 4/23/23 18:07, mick.crane wrote:
> well the story so far is that I installed with the expert type 
> selections and the apt suggested installing firmware-amd-graphics
> and everything was crashing with anything to do with a browser. So
> now I install with the graphical install and everything seems stable 
> as I can type this and it hasn't crashed, there are no pixel glitches
> as yet so I'm thinking is a graphical driver issue. I would like to
> sort this working on the bigger display as I've got things to do and
> would like a stable base. I'm just grateful anything works but
> perfection would be nice.


So:

1.  A/B testing with another computer indicates the monitor is okay and 
the pixel glitches were coming from the Dell Precision 3600 graphics card.

2.  Reinstalling Debian has eliminated the pixel glitches.

3.  The first reinstall of Debian was crashing, so you have reinstalled 
again and the computer has not crashed (yet).


What is the make, model, and/or part number of the graphics card?


I bought a used Dell Precision 3630 in January.  It had intermittent and 
non-repeatable issues.  So, tested the Dell 300W PSU with my Antec 
ATX12V power supply tester.

https://www.newegg.com/antec-atx12v-psu-tester/p/N82E16899129001


The PSU had a bad -12 VDC rail.  I ordered a matching DP/N used PSU.  I 
had a spare ThermalTake 430 W PSU, but the test results were ambiguous. 
I installed the ThermalTake and the computer worked correctly.  When the 
replacement Dell PSU came in, it also had a bad -12 VDC rail.  I 
installed a spare ThermalTake 500W with better test results.  The PSU I 
currently prefer was unavailable at the time:

https://www.fractal-design.com/products/power-supplies/ion/ion-2-platinum-660w/black/


I suggest that you buy a PSU tester and test your PSU.


I suggest that you test your memory with memtest86+:

https://memtest.org/


"bookworm" is the codename for the the Debian testing distribution.  If 
you want stability, I suggest that you install again using the Debian 
stable distribution (version 11), codename "bullseye":

https://www.debian.org/download

debian-11.6.0-amd64-netinst.iso


I used to burn d-i to USB flash drives, but I found that the contents 
and checksum change after every boot.  So, now I burn d-i to CD; so that 
I can verify the checksum after burning and at any other time I desire.


When installing Debian, please document the Debian installer ISO file 
you use and document your path through the installer -- e.g. information 
displayed, questions asked, and your commands/ responses entered.  This 
will facilitate troubleshooting.


Here are my notes from my most recent Debian install.  If your computer 
has any drives other than the target for Debian, I suggest that you 
disable, disconnect, or remove them prior to installing Debian:

March 16, 2023

1.  Insert wiped Intel SSD 520 Series 60 GB into Dell Precision 3630.
     Power up, insert debian-11.6.0-amd64-netinst CD, and press F2 to
     enter Setup.  Choose Settings -> General -> Boot Sequency.
     Leave optical drive checked.  Uncheck all other choices.  Choose
     "Apply".  Confirm.  Choose OK.  Boots into Debian installer:

	Debian GNU/Linux 11.6.0

	Debian GNU/Linux UEFI Installer menu
					Install
	Language			C
	Continent or region		North America
	Country, territory or area	United States
	Keymap to use			American English
	Hostname			taz
	Domain name			tracy.holgerdanske.com
	Root password			********
	Re-enter password		********
	Full name for new user		debian
	Username for your account	debian
	Choose a password		********
	Re-enter password		********
	Select your time zone		Pacific
	Partitioning method		Manual
	-> SCSI1 (0,0,0) (sda) - 60.0 GB ATA INTEL SSDSC2CW06
       	   Create partition table	Yes
	   -> 60.0 GB FREE SPACE
	      -> Create a new partition
		 New partition size	1 GB
	         Location		Beginning
		 Name			ESP
		 Use as			EFI System Partition
		 Bootable flag		on
		 -> Done setting up the partition
	   -> 59.0 GB FREE SPACE
	      -> Create a new partition
		 New partition size	1 GB
	         Location		Beginning
		 Name			taz_boot
		 Use as			Ext4 journaling file system
		 Mount point		/boot
		 Mount options		defaults
		 Label			taz_boot
		 Reserved blocks	5%
		 Typical usage		standard
		 Bootable flag		off
		 -> Done setting up the partition
	  -> 58.0 GB FREE SPACE
	     -> Create a new partition
	        New partition size	1 GB
	        Location		Beginning
		Name			taz_swap
		Use as			physical volume for encryption
		Encryption method	Device-mapper (dm-crypt)
		Encryption		aes
		Key size		256
		IV algorithm		xts-plain64
		Encryption key		Random key
		Erase data		no
		Bootable flag		off
		-> Done setting up the partition
	  -> 57.0 GB FREE SPACE
	     -> Create a new partition
	        New partition size	12 GB
	        Location		Beginning
		Name			taz_root
		Use as			physical volume for encryption
		Encryption method	Device-mapper (dm-crypt)
		Encryption		aes
		Key size		256
		IV algorithm		xts-plain64
		Encryption key		Passphrase
		Erase data		no
		Bootable flag		off
		-> Done setting up the partition
	  -> Configure encrypted volumes
	     Write the changes to disk	Yes
	     ->	Create encrypted volumes
	        Devices to encrypt		
	        [*] /dev/sda3 (1000MB; crypto)
	        [*] /dev/sda4 (11999MB; crypt)
		-> Continue
	     -> Finish
	    Encryption passphrase	********
	    Re-enter passphrase		********
	  Encrypted volume (sda4_crypt) - 12.0 Linux device-mapper (crypt)
	  ->   #1     12.0 GB     f  ext4
	     Use as			Ext4 journaling file system
	     Mount point		/
	     Mount options		defaults
	     Label			taz_root
	     Reserved blocks		5%
	     Typical usage		standard
	     -> Done setting up the partition
	  -> Finish partitioning and write changes to disk
	     Write the changes to disks	Yes
	Scan extra media		No
	Debian archive mirror country	United States
	Debian archive mirror		deb.debian.org
	HTTP proxy information		<blank>
	Package usage survey		No
	Choose software			Debian desktop environment
					    Xfce
					SSH server
					standard system utiltities

     CD is ejected.  Remove disc.  Close drive tray.

	Installation complete		Continue

     Push power button when DELL logo appears at post.


David

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Thread

graphic cards was efi problem "mick.crane" <mick.crane@gmail.com> - 2023-04-23 22:00 +0200
  Re: graphic cards was efi problem David Christensen <dpchrist@holgerdanske.com> - 2023-04-23 22:30 +0200
    Re: graphic cards was efi problem David Christensen <dpchrist@holgerdanske.com> - 2023-04-24 11:30 +0200
      Re: graphic cards was efi problem songbird <songbird@anthive.com> - 2023-04-24 18:30 +0200
  Re: graphic cards was efi problem Felix Miata <mrmazda@earthlink.net> - 2023-04-23 22:30 +0200
  Re: graphic cards was efi problem "mick.crane" <mick.crane@gmail.com> - 2023-04-24 03:10 +0200

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