SOLVED - Intel HD 4000 (Ivy Bridge) GPU Fails with Modesetting on Modern Kernels

[apache2025]

**Context:**
I have two Mid-2012 MacBook Pros A1278 model:
1. **HD 3000 (Sandy Bridge)**: Works perfectly (`i915.modeset=1`, Mesa acceleration).
2. **HD 4000 (Ivy Bridge)**: Blank screen or blinking cursor with `modeset=1` on kernel 6.1 (MX Linux). Only works with `nomodeset` (software rendering/`llvmpipe`).

**Issue:**
- Modern kernels (≥5.16) seem to break Ivy Bridge support, while Sandy Bridge (HD 3000) still works.
- Tried:
- `i915.enable_guc=0`, `enable_fbc=0`, `preliminary_hw_support=1`, etc.
- Downgrading to kernel 5.15 (not yet tested on MX).

**Ask for Help:**
1. Is there a known workaround for **HD 4000 acceleration** on MX Linux?
2. Would a **custom kernel patch** or **Xorg config tweak** help?
3. Should I stick with `nomodeset` or try Debian’s 5.15 LTS kernel?

**System:**
- MX Linux (Debian-based, kernel 6.1).
- GPU: `8086:0166` (Intel HD 4000, Ivy Bridge).

*Thanks for any insights!*

[Eadwine Rose]

According to the forum rules (please read): Please provide full Quick System Info from the menu, use copy for forum button, no edits, of the machine not working.

LiveUSB version is OK if needed.

[dreamer]

I don't know. My dad still uses an Intel 3770K (Ivy Bridge) processor in a desktop tower. It runs MX-23 with stock Debian 6.1 kernel. It installed (in legacy mode) without problems.
It's from 2012, but it's a fantastic computer for his needs. There is plenty of speed for web browsing etc. Maybe I will upgrade it to something newer, but since MX-23 works so well I might wait until 2028.

If you can't get Debian 6.1 kernel to boot, then maybe try other kernels. HD 4000 should be supported in mainline and Debian kernels.

[Nokkaelaein]

I don't know. My dad still uses an Intel 3770K (Ivy Bridge) processor in a desktop tower.

Yeah, another confirmation from here. I still use a 3770k system as a backup audio workstation. Granted, it doesn't see much "actual use" these days, but it's a terrific computer. I've done plenty of work in the games industry on that exact machine (32 GB RAM, RME audio hardware). It's running the most recent 6.x kernels and the CPU-integrated HD 4000 has never given me any problems. Always has OpenGL/Mesa working with the i915 driver etc. So the problem must be something else than just with the combination of 6.x kernels and the HD 4000.

[Stevo]

So the problem must be something else than just with the combination of 6.x kernels and the HD 4000.

Maybe "Apple"?

Have you tried switching to the "intel" driver by enabling the TearFree option in MX Tweak/Other?

[baldyeti]

Not HD4000 but my i5-3550 (Ivy Bridge, HD2500) works fine with either the stock 6.1 kernel (MX23/bookworm) or 6.6 liquorix.

You could also try the antiX 5.10 kernel that is available in MXPI.

[apache2025]

I tried many tweaks without success. In the end, I had to downgrade by reinstalling an older MX Linux version with the 5.x kernel. Problem solved — the HD 4000 is now detected.