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ptarso
Contributor
Contributor

Unexpected KDE split screen after Ubuntu Linux kernel update to 3.2.0-64-generic

Hi everyone,

Scenario:

HOST: VMware Workstation 10.0.2 build-1744117 on a physical host running Kubuntu Linux 12.04.4 LTS, Precise Pangolin, completely updated to this date (June 07th), kernel 3.2.0-64-generic #97-Ubuntu SMP  Wed Jun 4 22:04:21 UTC 2014 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux.  Host was rebooted after last update; operating fully, no problems.

VIRTUAL MACHINE: VM runs Kubuntu 12.04.4 LTS, Precise Pangolin. Desktop: KDE. It was working normally until this morning; previous update a few days ago.

VMware-tools updated to the latest version.

This morning, I updated this VM; previous kernel was 3.2.0-63; after update it became 3.2.0-64. The only updates available today were: the kernel, and OpenSSL. Nothing else was updated.

After the update, I rebooted and ran vmware-tools-config.pl.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE KERNEL UPDATE?:

Now, the VM screen is split in two halves. Whatever I open on the left-hand side (say, a console) is mirrored on the right-hand side as a "phantom" image. If I move the cursor over the right side, icons that were hidden by the phantom-copy will show through. This makes using the VM almost impossible, with several windows and applications.

vmwkst-issue-1.png

1. I ran vmware-tools-config  and rebooted the VM: no effect.

2. I resized the VM window; maximized and clicked back to normal size; changed wallpapers and themes; to no avail.

3. I did the same steps on another host with VMware Workstation, and exactly the same problem happened to the VM there. Same mirrored / split screen.

4. Updates applied to several physical hosts (with reboots) caused no problems to them.   Only VMs are affected.

Is this a problem with the virtual graphics controller in the VMware Workstation?

For now, I switched back to the previous snapshot and it is working normally. I cannot update the kernel, though.

Any help will be appreciated.

PT.

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8 Replies
ptarso
Contributor
Contributor

This problem is being reported by other users at the askubuntu forum as well:

vmware - Ubuntu 12.04 screen issue after updating - Ask Ubuntu

There is another thread here, under the Player forum:

https://communities.vmware.com/thread/481038

The other users are also running VMware.

PT.

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ptarso
Contributor
Contributor

I used my VM previous snapshot to reproduce the problem.

Previous kernel: 3.2.0-63. VM running ok.

1) I applied all updates (including openssl) but NOT the kernel. After rebooting, the VM screen is OK.

2) I updated again (only the kernel packages, version 3.2.0-64 were pending: complete kernel, headers and kernel image) and rebooted: split / doubled screen shows up!

3) I ran vmware-config-tools.pl in other to generate modules for the new kernel and rebooted:  the split screen persists. Not solved.

4) also tried a full power off / power on: the problem persists.

It seems to be definitely a kernel 3.2.0-64 - related issue.

Suggestion: apply all updates (the openssl update is critical), but skip the kernel packages for now, until we get a fix from VMware or the Ubuntu team.

(AND: ALWAYS create a snapshot before you update anything !!)

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lakshya32
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Hi

Welcome to communities.

then its related to kernel package or kernel does not support his hardware .

Please try to upgrade videos driver too if available .

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sigiz
Contributor
Contributor

Hi,

have the same problem, have tried much but always the same problem

I have enabled the grub menu at startup and then select the previous kernel (3.2.0-63-generic), screen is ok.

There is no video driver that has to be updated.

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carteriii
Contributor
Contributor

Just confirming that I too have the same problem.  3.2.0-64 causes the screen mirroring, but 3.2.0-63 does not.

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Gork
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

3.2.0-65 is also problematic.

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thellstrom
Contributor
Contributor

For remedies, please see the thread "Guest display split into identical panes"

/Thomas

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Gork
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

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