Re: 5.15 regression: CONFIG_SYSFB_SIMPLEFB breaks console scrolling

From: Javier Martinez Canillas
Date: Fri Dec 03 2021 - 06:20:33 EST


Sorry for the late reply.

On 11/21/21 12:47, Thorsten Leemhuis wrote:
> Hi, this is your Linux kernel regression tracker speaking.
>
> On 16.11.21 05:52, Harald Dunkel wrote:
>>
>> if I enable CONFIG_SYSFB_SIMPLEFB in 5.15.2 and use grub's default
>> configuration
>> (Debian sid amd64), then a few lines at the bottom of /dev/tty1 including
>> login prompt are off-screen. Scrolling is broken. I can login, though.
>>
>> Enabling GRUB_TERMINAL=console in grub doesn't make a difference. Using
>> the same kernel except for CONFIG_SYSFB_SIMPLEFB the problem is gone.
>>
>> Graphics card is a GeForce GTX 1650. I tried with both CONFIG_DRM_NOUVEAU
>> and proprietary graphics drivers disabled.
>>
>> Attached you can find the config file. Please mail if I can help to track
>> this problem down.
>
> Thx for the report. I'm not totally sure if this is a regression, as
> that's a new config option. But it might be one considered a successor
> to an older one, hence it might count as regression. Adding two
> developers and a mailing list to the CC, hopefully someone can clarify.
>

I don't think this is a regression since enabling CONFIG_SYSFB_SIMPLEFB will
make the simpledrm driver to be bound while disabling the option makes the
efifb driver to be bound instead.
Yes, it seems to be a bug in the simpledrm driver but the solution if you
have issues with the simpledrm is to not enable CONFIG_SYSFB_SIMPLEFB and
keep using the old fbdev driver.

Best regards,
--
Javier Martinez Canillas
Linux Engineering
Red Hat