AVLinux and Kernel 3.2

[GraysonPeddie]

Will AVLinux be upgrading to Linux kernel 3.2 in order to support my AMD A6-3400's built-in Radeon HD 6520 graphics chip? Previous Linux kernels such as 3.1 or 3.0 do not support AMD's APU (Accelerated Processor Unit) out of the box when it comes to making use of APU's built-in GPU capability.

AVLinux is nice, but I could sacrifice stability for bleeding edge packages such as Linux 3.2 and GIMP 2.8.

[varpa]

I'd suggest posting AVLinux-specific questions to the AVLinux forum for best results. AVLinux does have some testing kernels up to 3.4 available - see http://www.remastersys.com/forums/index ... pic=1917.0. It would be helpful for you to try one of these out and report back to the AVLinux forum.

[GraysonPeddie]

Sadly, I don't think it's the kernel that needs updated, but also the X Window server which has something to do with xrander -q not detecting HDMI output and I don't know why. Given that AVLinux is based in Debian Stable (heh, too old for my decent hardware!). I am very surprised that Linux 3.0 can detect my AMD At-3400's built-in GPU, but due to my HDTV not detecting my HDMI connection from my laptop (except Kubuntu 12.04, 12.10, and the latest version of Arch as I've been distro-hopping in the past), I found myself having to bend my back towards my screen as I squint my eyes at it just to get my display up and running.

I guess AVLinux is not designed for desktop replacements and those with recent hardware which may have either Sandy Bridge or AMD Fusion-based APUs (Accelerated Processor Unit), but I can be wrong and I'm not going to give up on getting my 47LM7600 working with AV Linux 5.0.3.

The only thing that I wanted to use AVLinux is optimized performance tweaks with the custom kernels. I'm unsure if KDE+KWin has something to do with impacting performance, but with my AMD A6-3400 and KDE 4.9 in Kubuntu 12.10 Alpha 3, performance is very snappy and stable to me. Eye candy did not bother me that much because once I got it the way I want and settle myself in, it's who I am. So I thought I might want to go with AVLinux and replace LXDE with KDE 4.9 once I get the HDMI problems resolved.

[autostatic]

The only thing that I wanted to use AVLinux is optimized performance tweaks with the custom kernels.

You can also apply these performance tweaks to your Kubuntu 12.10 Alpha 3 install. You could even use the config file of an AVLinux realtime kernel to build a realtime kernel for your Ubuntu system.

I'm unsure if KDE+KWin has something to do with impacting performance

It sure does, but it's starting to become less and less important because of modern machines becoming more and more powerful.

So I thought I might want to go with AVLinux and replace LXDE with KDE 4.9 once I get the HDMI problems resolved.

Personally I think the LXDE setup on AVLInux is one of its strong points, if you want to get the most out of your system performance-wise such a lightweight Desktop Environment is a perfect choice.

[GraysonPeddie]

But what about all the patches that are included in the kernel?

[varpa]

Concerning AVLinux, you can enable additional software repositories in synaptic and install newer versions of stuff. There is always the issue that you may break something in the process, but it may be an option if you need a newer version of Xorg for you video card.

[autostatic]

But what about all the patches that are included in the kernel?

Afaics it contains only one additional patch.

[GraysonPeddie]

You're talking about the realtime patch, am I correct?

I've copied the /etc and /boot as a backup to my NTFS partition (I dual-boot Windows with Linux) and see what other performance tweaks they've done to optimize for performance. After that, it's back to Kubuntu 12.10 Alpha 3 as it'll be a lot of work trying to get the newest versions of X Window Server just to get my HDMI connection to my TV to work. It's better to have the newest version of X Window Server that is not available in the Debian's stable branch or even in the squeeze-backports.

[autostatic]

You're talking about the realtime patch, am I correct?

No, I think a patch for the M-Audio Fast Track Pro is the only additional patch besides the RT patchset.

[GraysonPeddie]

Ah, gotcha. Nothing for me to worry about since I don't have one for my laptop. Thanks.