Macmini 2011 gpu problem

Hi all,
I have recently obtained a macmini 2011 and wanted to install openSUSE. I want it to be the only OS. Installation, somehow ends without issues. However, trying to boot after the installation fails, and I got blank screen. With nomodeset, howerver, I get it to working but with a weird resolution (2048x1080) on 27" QHD monitor. And I cannot change the resolution due to nomodeset. What ever I tried, I could not “activate” amdgpu. As far as I understand from reading on the topic, since during the installation, I used nomodeset, the graphic drivers are not loaded. When I change the grub paramaters to not include ‘nomodeset’, the system does not start. There seems to be two drives, as the inxi -G output shows:

Device-1: Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics
    driver: N/A
Device-2: AMD Whistler [Radeon HD 6630M/6650M/6750M/7670M/7690M]
    driver: N/A
Display: x11 server: X.org v:1.21.1.9 driver: X: loade: modesetting,vesa
    unloaded: fbdev gpu: N/A resolution: 2048x1080~60Hz
API: OpenGL V:4.5 vendor: mesa v: 23.2.1 renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 17.0.6 256 bits)

As I understand (and I am a non-technical person), drivers are not loaded, even though the kernel module and related spftware seem to be installed. I would be grateful for any help on how to load amd and/or Radeon drivers.

When I try live versions (Tumbleweed XFCE, Tumbleweed Gnome, Ubuntu, and Fedora) all load perfectly. Ubuntu installs without issues and I can use both HDMI and tunderbolt output (though the HDMI only have 1920x1080 resolution).

I am on currently using openSUSE Tumbleweed XFCE with nomodeset and with weirdly elongated fonts.

Thanks a lot for your responses.

I think I might be able to help, given a little more information, inxi -Gaz instead of just -G.

Thank you mrmazda for your interest. Sorry for late reply. I really hope you can help me.

Below is the output you asked for:

Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics
    vendor: Apple driver: N/A alternate: i915 arch: Gen-6 code: Sandybridge
    process: Intel 32nm built: 2011 bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:0126
    class-ID: 0380
  Device-2: AMD Whistler [Radeon HD 6630M/6650M/6750M/7670M/7690M]
    vendor: Apple driver: N/A alternate: radeon, amdgpu arch: TeraScale-2
    code: Evergreen process: TSMC 32-40nm built: 2009-15 pcie: gen: 2
    speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 8 link-max: lanes: 16 bus-ID: 01:00.0
    chip-ID: 1002:6741 class-ID: 0300
  Display: x11 server: X.org v: 1.21.1.11 compositor: xfwm v: 4.18.0 driver:
    X: loaded: modesetting,vesa unloaded: fbdev gpu: N/A display-ID: :0.0
    screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 2048x1080 s-size: <missing: xdpyinfo>
  Monitor-1: Unknown-1 mapped: None-1 res: 2048x1080 hz: 60 size: N/A
    modes: 2048x1080
  API: OpenGL v: 4.5 vendor: mesa v: 23.2.1 glx-v: 1.4 es-v: 3.2
    direct-render: yes renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 17.0.6 256 bits)
    device-ID: ffffffff:ffffffff memory: 7.56 GiB unified: yes

Inxi has identified your AMD GPU as Terascale-2. This was the last major ATI technology series before amdgpu drivers were introduced for the replacement technology, GCN. Thus, amdgpu drivers are not supported by your GPU. The xf86-video-ati rpm provides the radeon DDX (Device Dependent (X) driver) that supports it. Each kernel provides a radeon device driver that is required for X drivers to properly function. The X server package includes a newer technology DIX (Device Independent (X) driver) as an alternative to using the radeon DDX. Upstream the DIX is the default, and the only X driver I employ on my old ATI/AMD cards. The following is from a same generation ATI card as yours:

# inxi -Sz --vs
inxi 3.3.31-00 (2023-11-02)
System:
  Kernel: 6.6.11-1-default arch: x86_64 bits: 64 Desktop: Trinity v: R14.1.1
    Distro: openSUSE Tumbleweed 20240126
# inxi -Gaz
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Caicos [Radeon HD 6450/7450/8450 / R5 230 OEM] vendor: Dell
    driver: radeon v: kernel alternate: amdgpu arch: TeraScale-2 code: Evergreen
    process: TSMC 32-40nm built: 2009-15 pcie: gen: 2 speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 16
    ports: active: DP-1,DVI-I-1 empty: none bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 1002:6779
    class-ID: 0300 temp: 54.0 C
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 21.1.11 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
    unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: r600 gpu: radeon display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 4240x1440 s-dpi: 120 s-size: 897x304mm (35.31x11.97")
    s-diag: 947mm (37.29")
  Monitor-1: DP-1 pos: primary,left model: Acer K272HUL serial: <filter>
    built: 2018 res: 2560x1440 hz: 60 dpi: 109 gamma: 1.2
    size: 598x336mm (23.54x13.23") diag: 686mm (27") ratio: 16:9 modes:
    max: 2560x1440 min: 720x400
  Monitor-2: DVI-I-1 pos: right model: Dell P2213 serial: <filter>
    built: 2012 res: 1680x1050 hz: 60 dpi: 90 gamma: 1.2
    size: 473x296mm (18.62x11.65") diag: 558mm (22") ratio: 16:10 modes:
    max: 1680x1050 min: 720x400
  API: EGL v: 1.5 hw: drv: amd r600 platforms: device: 0 drv: r600 device: 1
    drv: swrast gbm: drv: r600 surfaceless: drv: r600 x11: drv: r600
    inactive: wayland
  API: OpenGL v: 4.5 vendor: mesa v: 23.3.4 glx-v: 1.4 direct-render: yes
    renderer: AMD CAICOS (DRM 2.50.0 / 6.6.11-1-default LLVM 17.0.6)
    device-ID: 1002:6779 memory: 1000 MiB unified: no
#

This setup fails to start the larger screen in its native 2K (2560x1440) mode, but xrandr does succeed to set it. This made me suspect maybe GPUs of this vintage might not support QHD. The only one I have is normally too far away from the PC to try (my living TV), and has no DP input. My curiosity got the better of me, so I drug the PC into the living room, found a DP-to-HDMI converter, and gave it a try:

# inxi -Gaz
Graphics:
  Device-1: AMD Caicos [Radeon HD 6450/7450/8450 / R5 230 OEM] vendor: Dell
    driver: radeon v: kernel alternate: amdgpu arch: TeraScale-2 code: Evergreen
    process: TSMC 32-40nm built: 2009-15 pcie: gen: 2 speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 16
    ports: active: DP-1 empty: DVI-I-1 bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 1002:6779
    class-ID: 0300 temp: 54.0 C
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 21.1.11 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
    unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: r600 gpu: radeon display-ID: :0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 3840x2160 s-dpi: 120 s-size: 812x457mm (31.97x17.99")
    s-diag: 932mm (36.68")
  Monitor-1: DP-1 model: LG (GoldStar) TV serial: <filter> built: 2017
    res: 3840x2160 dpi: 61 gamma: 1.2 size: 1600x900mm (62.99x35.43")
    diag: 1836mm (72.3") ratio: 16:9 modes: max: 4096x2160 min: 720x400
  API: EGL v: 1.5 hw: drv: amd r600 platforms: device: 0 drv: r600 device: 1
    drv: swrast gbm: drv: r600 surfaceless: drv: r600 x11: drv: r600
    inactive: wayland
  API: OpenGL v: 4.5 vendor: mesa v: 23.3.4 glx-v: 1.4 direct-render: yes
    renderer: AMD CAICOS (DRM 2.50.0 / 6.6.11-1-default LLVM 17.0.6)
    device-ID: 1002:6779 memory: 1000 MiB unified: no
# xrandr
Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 3840 x 2160, maximum 16384 x 16384
DP-1 connected primary 3840x2160+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 1600mm x 900mm
   4096x2160     30.00    25.00    24.00    29.97    23.98
   3840x2160     59.97    30.00*   25.00    24.00    29.97    23.98
   3200x1800     59.96    59.94
   2880x1620     59.96    59.97
   2560x1600     59.99    59.97
   2560x1440     59.99    59.96    59.95
   2048x1536     85.00    75.00    60.00
   1920x1440     85.00    75.00    60.00
   1856x1392     75.00    60.01
   1792x1344     75.00    60.01
   2048x1152     59.99    59.98    59.90    59.91
   1920x1200     59.88    59.95
   1920x1080     60.01   120.00   100.00   119.88    59.97    59.96    60.00    50.00    59.94    59.93    30.00    25.00    24.00    29.97    23.98
   1920x1080i    60.00    50.00    59.94
   1600x1200     85.00    75.00    70.00    65.00    60.00
   1680x1050     59.95    59.88
   1400x1050     74.76    59.98
   1600x900      59.99    59.94    59.95    59.82
   1280x1024     85.02    75.02    60.02
   1400x900      59.96    59.88
   1280x960      85.00    60.00
   1440x810      60.00    59.97
   1368x768      59.88    59.85
   1360x768      60.02
   1280x800      59.99    59.97    59.81    59.91
   1152x864      75.00    59.97
   1280x720      60.00    59.99    59.86    60.00    50.00    59.94    59.74
   1024x768      85.00    75.05    60.04    85.00    75.03    70.07    60.00
   1024x768i     86.96
   960x720       85.00    75.00    60.00
   928x696       75.00    60.05
   896x672       75.05    60.01
   1024x576      59.95    59.96    59.90    59.82
   960x600       59.93    60.00
   832x624       74.55
   960x540       59.96    59.99    59.63    59.82
   800x600       85.00    75.00    70.00    65.00    60.00    85.14    72.19    75.00    60.32    56.25
   840x525       60.01    59.88
   864x486       59.92    59.57
   720x576       50.00
   720x576i      50.00
   700x525       74.76    59.98
   800x450       59.95    59.82
   720x480       60.00    59.94
   640x512       85.02    75.02    60.02
   700x450       59.96    59.88
   640x480       85.09    60.00    85.01    72.81    75.00    60.00    59.94
   720x405       59.51    58.99
   720x400       85.04    70.08
   684x384       59.88    59.85
   640x400       59.88    59.98    85.08
   576x432       75.00
   640x360       59.86    59.83    59.84    59.32
   640x350       85.08
   512x384       85.00    75.03    70.07    60.00
   512x384i      87.06
   512x288       60.00    59.92
   416x312       74.66
   480x270       59.63    59.82
   400x300       85.27    72.19    75.12    60.32    56.34
   432x243       59.92    59.57
   320x240       85.18    72.81    75.00    60.05
   360x202       59.51    59.13
   360x200       85.04
   320x200       85.27
   320x180       59.84    59.32
   320x175       85.27
DVI-I-1 disconnected 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 0mm x 0mm
#

Note lack of support for 60Hz @3840x2160. It came up in 1920x1080. I switched it with xrandr. I suppose for you the need is to ensure kernel-firmware-radeon and libdrm_radeon1 are installed, that radeon module is not blacklisted, and no attempt to force amdgpu is employed, neither kernel module nor display driver. I don’t have libvdpau_radeonsi installed, but you might want to make use of it. Also, is this a TV rather than PC display? If a TV, is it even capable of 60Hz @3840x2160. If not, you may need to do as I did, force 30Hz, or even 24Hz. Before using inxi again, please install xdpyinfo, and if it isn’t installed already, Mesa-demo-egl.

OMG, this did it. I don’t know how to thank you. You are the man, you made my day.

I installed the radeon related packages as you suggested, changed the Boot Loader parameters in favour of radeon (which were originally set for amdgpu as per the instruction on SDB:AMDGPU), and voila! It works. And through the mini displayport output, I got the native resolution of my 27" Dell monitor.

Thank you, thank you and thank you

ps. How can I mark the topic as solved?

In case this makes any use for others, here are the outputs from inxi -Gaz:

  Device-1: Intel 2nd Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics
    vendor: Apple driver: N/A alternate: i915 arch: Gen-6 code: Sandybridge
    process: Intel 32nm built: 2011 bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:0126
    class-ID: 0380
  Device-2: AMD Whistler [Radeon HD 6630M/6650M/6750M/7670M/7690M]
    vendor: Apple driver: radeon v: kernel alternate: amdgpu arch: TeraScale-2
    code: Evergreen process: TSMC 32-40nm built: 2009-15 pcie: gen: 2
    speed: 5 GT/s lanes: 8 link-max: lanes: 16 ports: active: DP-1
    empty: DP-2,DP-3,HDMI-A-1 bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 1002:6741
    class-ID: 0300
  Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 21.1.11 compositor: xfwm v: 4.18.0 driver:
    X: loaded: radeon unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa dri: r600 gpu: radeon
    display-ID: :0.0 screens: 1
  Screen-1: 0 s-res: 2560x1440 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 677x381mm (26.65x15.00")
    s-diag: 777mm (30.58")
  Monitor-1: DP-1 mapped: DisplayPort-0 model: Dell UP2716D serial: <filter>
    built: 2017 res: 2560x1440 hz: 60 dpi: 109 gamma: 1.2
    size: 597x336mm (23.5x13.23") diag: 685mm (27") ratio: 16:9 modes:
    max: 2560x1440 min: 720x400
  API: EGL v: 1.5 hw: drv: amd r600 platforms: device: 0 drv: r600 device: 1
    drv: swrast gbm: drv: kms_swrast surfaceless: drv: r600 x11: drv: r600
    inactive: wayland
  API: OpenGL v: 4.5 vendor: mesa v: 23.3.4 glx-v: 1.4 direct-render: yes
    renderer: AMD TURKS (DRM 2.50.0 / 6.7.1-2-default LLVM 17.0.6)
    device-ID: 1002:6741 memory: 250 MiB unified: no


and xrandr:

Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 2560 x 1440, maximum 16384 x 16384
DisplayPort-0 connected 2560x1440+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 597mm x 336mm
   2560x1440     59.95*+
   2048x1080     60.00    24.00  
   1920x1080     60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1920x1080i    60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1600x1200     60.00  
   1280x1024     75.02    60.02  
   1152x864      75.00  
   1280x720      60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1024x768      75.03    60.00  
   800x600       75.00    60.32  
   720x576       50.00  
   720x576i      50.00  
   720x480       60.00    59.94  
   720x480i      60.00    59.94  
   640x480       75.00    60.00    59.94  
   720x400       70.08  
DisplayPort-1 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
DisplayPort-2 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
HDMI-0 disconnected 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 0mm x 0mm

Have a good day

https://en.opensuse.org/SDB:AMDGPU

AMDGPU is the next generation family of open source graphics drivers for newer AMD Radeon graphics cards based on the Graphics Core Next chips, ranging from GCN1 (Radeon HD 7730+) up to the latest graphics cards. Check which chip you have with this wikipage.

Post

zypper se -si radeon

Why? OP posted in #5 that radeon kernel module is loaded, radeon DDX is loaded, r600 dri is loaded, and problem has been solved.

Mine:

:~> LANG=C zypper se -si radeon
Loading repository data...
Reading installed packages...

S  | Name                   | Type    | Version               | Arch   | Repository
---+------------------------+---------+-----------------------+--------+-------------------------------------------------------------
i+ | kernel-firmware-radeon | package | 20230724-150500.3.9.1 | noarch | Update repository with updates from SUSE Linux Enterprise 15
i+ | libdrm_radeon1         | package | 2.4.114-150500.3.2    | x86_64 | Main Repository
i+ | libvdpau_radeonsi      | package | 22.3.5-150500.76.pm.4 | x86_64 | Packman
i+ | libvulkan_radeon       | package | 22.3.5-150500.75.2    | x86_64 | Main Repository
i+ | radeontop              | package | 1.4-bp155.1.7         | x86_64 | Main Repository
i+ | radeontop-lang         | package | 1.4-bp155.1.7         | noarch | Main Repository