====== Update i915 GPU driver to Linux 3.8 ======

Our kernel-side i915 GPU driver is old, and platforms beginning with Haswell are not yet supported.

This initiative aims to change that.

===== Goals =====

  * Update to Linux 3.8 (Initial Haswell support)
  * Identify regressions in already supported GPU's
  * Land 3.8 driver in %%FreeBSD%% HEAD when complete (Regardless of Haswell support status)
  * Look at updating to Linux 3.9 (Many Haswell bugfixes)

===== Current status (2016-03-08) =====

<callout type="warning">
**Project finished**

The code is in HEAD as of [[https://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/svn-src-head/2016-March/083332.html|r296548]].

See [[/Graphics]] for further informations.
</callout>

===== Testing Instructions / How To =====

Whether it works or not, I'm interested in the output of ''%%dmesg%%'' and, in case of a kernel crash, the corresponding ''%%/var/crash/core.txt.*%%'' files. Please send them to the [[https://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-x11|freebsd-x11 mailing list]].

At this time, we aren't providing user support. However, if you have patches, they are very much welcome!

Thank you for your help!

  - **Make sure you have everything setup to have kernel dumps**:

<code>
# In /etc/rc.conf
dumpdev="AUTO"
ddb_enable="YES"
</code>

Additionally, it helps to have the following sysctl:

<code>
# In /etc/sysctl.conf
debug.debugger_on_panic=0
</code>

  - Enable i915 debug messages:

<code>
# In /boot/loader.conf
drm.debug=3
</code>

  - You need to clone the repository and switch to the ''%%drm-i915-update-38%%'' branch:

<code>
git clone -b drm-i915-update-38 \
 https://github.com/freebsd/freebsd-base-graphics.git
</code>

  - Build and install a kernel from this clone; I suggest you install the kernel with a non-default name:

<code>
cd freebsd-base-graphics
sudo make kernel INSTKERNNAME=kernel.i915
</code>

  - Select the new kernel for the next boot and reboot:

<code>
sudo nextboot -k kernel.i915
sudo reboot
</code>

  - Try to load the new driver:

<code>
sudo kldload i915kms
</code>

  - Try to start an X.Org server and use it!

  - Send feedback! Post on the [[https://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-x11|freebsd-x11 mailing list]].

===== Known Issues with Haswell =====

  * Modes above %%FullHD%% (1920x1080) seem broken: the screen is only garbage. I have the problem with an %%UltraHD%% monitor and some users reported a similar behavior with other modes.
  * Stefan Wendler on freebsd-x11@ gets a blank screen, even in vt(4).

----

{{tag>Historical}}