Problem with unusable console
Information about the problem of virtual consoles displaying random vertical lines, usually of one color, and no text
Contents
Problem description
After a while of using the computer, all text on virtual consoles from 0 to 6 disappears, and an image, usually consisting of vertical lines of one or few colors, appears instead. Typing is possible, as is starting X or switching to an already active X. When switching back, the text consoles remain unusable.
Affected Models
- ThinkPad T22
Affected Operating Systems
- Linux
Status
A workaround is being tested.
Solutions
From linux kernel config, disable savagefb's console acceleration.
< > ATI Mach64 display support <*> S3 Savage support [ ] Enable DDC2 Support [ ] Enable Console Accelereation <--- see that this is disabled < > SiS acceleration
If using "reset" does not fix it, Debian users may try reinitialising the console by running /etc/init.d/console-screen.sh as root. A reboot is probably required if this fails.