This New Linux Kernel Update Can Damage Your Laptop Display
Not a good situation for Intel laptop owners
According to a report by Phoronix, a new Linux kernel - version 5.19.12, is reportedly damaging laptop displays. Anyone with a Intel-based laptop is at risk, and should not install Linux kernel 5.19.12.
The issue is related to a graphics driver bug that causes undesired power sequencing delays in the display itself, which can physically harm the LCD panels found on Intel-based laptops. According to user reports, the issue causes white flashes to display on screen.
This is one of the very few times we've ever seen a software update - not related to overclocking, have the power to damage a computer component physically. This issue effects all Intel-based notebooks where the integrated display is wired directly to the integrated graphics.
This means all Nvidia Optimus laptops, and some potential Intel + Radeon combined laptops (though we effectively never see those) are at risk as well - since the iGP is driving the primary display even while the discrete GPU is active.
The only exception to this, is if the notebook in question can disable Nvidia Optimus entirely or the internal display is not hooked up to an Intel integrated graphics solution at all. Such laptops are rare, but they do exist. Thankfully, this only applies with Intel graphics solutions, and means all AMD-based notebooks with AMD CPUs or APUs are not affected.
The Fix Is Already Here
Fortunately, the Linux community has already released a new kernel that reverts all the problematic issues found in the graphics driver back to what they were in previous kernel updates.
This new kernel is known as 5.19.13, and has already been released for everyone to use. However, chances are that most users will have to wait for their respected Linux distros to roll out the kernel update before the mainstream users get a chance to use it.
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Aaron Klotz is a contributing writer for Tom’s Hardware, covering news related to computer hardware such as CPUs, and graphics cards.
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kanakaze Imagine using OS which can damage your PC hardware. Linux is so bad and trash!!!Reply
I'm glad using Windows for 20 years. -
Joomsy Reply
You're an idiot if you think Windows updates can't damage hardware.kanakaze said:Imagine using OS which can damage your PC hardware. Linux is so bad and trash!!!
I'm glad using Windows for 20 years.
https://superuser.com/questions/1640347/windows-update-changes-voltage-levels-causing-hardware-damage
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-update-damaged-laptop-motherboard/74b3b405-46e3-4652-bb1e-21be60e287a9
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-killed-my-motherboard/cfac45d9-9e5d-4eb9-9c27-0f64093f75b3 -
kanakaze Reply
Always has been, it just linux shills don't want to admit it.PlaneInTheSky said:The Linux kernel has become a bloated disaster. -
kanakaze Reply
That's not Windows fault but rather than OEM give crappy firmware, i have use Windows since Windows 95, Windows never destroyed hardware.Joomsy said:You're an idiot if you think Windows updates can't damage hardware.
https://superuser.com/questions/1640347/windows-update-changes-voltage-levels-causing-hardware-damage
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-update-damaged-laptop-motherboard/74b3b405-46e3-4652-bb1e-21be60e287a9
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-killed-my-motherboard/cfac45d9-9e5d-4eb9-9c27-0f64093f75b3
Meanwhile this crappy Linux has faulty of the kernel itself, typical linux fix always relies on community <Mod Edit> which filled of pathetic people who told you are dumb for using garbage distro or they going to tell stuff like "yoU DoNt uNdErStAnD LiNuX aT aLL".
<Moderator edit for language> -
Grobe Oh, that was a scary one.Reply
Had to check, my uname -r luckily says 5.19.11-100.fc35.x86_64 -
TJ Hooker Reply
The bug in question was in driver code that was submitted by Intel. So saying 'it's the OEM's fault, not the OS' applies just as well in this case.kanakaze said:That's not Windows fault but rather than OEM give crappy firmware, i have use Windows since Windows 95, Windows never destroyed hardware.
Meanwhile this crappy Linux has faulty of the kernel itself, typical linux fix always relies on community <Mod Edit> which filled of pathetic people who told you are dumb for using garbage distro or they going to tell like "yoU DoNt uNdErStAnD LiNuX aT aLL". -
bit_user Reply
You mean like those Windows 10 updates that would brick some people's PCs? And no, that wasn't due to bad vendor firmware.kanakaze said:Imagine using OS which can damage your PC hardware. -
Alex Atkin UK Replykanakaze said:Always has been, it just linux shills don't want to admit it.
Yet it still consistently performs better than Windows despite being much more backwards compatible on the hardware.
Not sure how you would expect it to not be large considering it includes all drivers, unlike Windows. Its not like they are loaded compiled into the kernel, most are modules and dynamically loaded when required.