Re: [PATCH 1/1 2.6.15-rc4-git1] Fix switching to KD_TEXT

From: Antonino A. Daplas
Date: Thu Dec 08 2005 - 19:23:33 EST


Knut Petersen wrote:
> Every framebuffer driver relies on the assumption that the set_par()
> function
> of the driver is called before drawing functions and other functions
> dependent
> on the hardware state are executed.
>
> This assumption is false in two cases, and one is a genuine linux
> bug:
>
> 1: Whenever you switch from X to a framebuffer console for the very
> first time, there is a chance that a broken X system has _not_ set
> the mode to KD_GRAPHICS, thus the vt and framebuffer code
> executes a screen redraw and several other functions before a
> set_par() is executed. This is believed to be not a bug of linux
> but a bug of X/xdm.
>
> 2: Whenever a switch from X to a framebuffer console occures,
> the pan_display() function of the driver is called once before
> the set_par() function of the driver is called. Code path:
> complete_change_console -> redraw_screen -> fbcon_switch ->
> bit_update_start-> fb_pan_display -> xyz_pan_display.
> This is clearly a bug of linux.

This part, #2, can be easily fixed.

>
> Although our primary goal must be to fix linux bugs and not to work
> around bugs of X, the patch fixes both of the cases.
>
> The advantage and correctness of this patch should be obvious. Yes, it
> does add a possibly slow call to the fb_set_par() function, but at this
> point it is necessary.
>
> Signed-off-by: Knut Petersen <Knut_Petersen@xxxxxxxxxxx>

Sorry, NAK for now. Unless other people agree that it is okay for them
to have an unconditional call to set_par() for every console switch. Note
that the set_par() in some drivers is terribly slow (several seconds at least).

Let's wait a few days, if nobody disagrees with you, so be it.

Tony
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