SOLVED - Intel HD 4000 (Ivy Bridge) GPU Fails with Modesetting on Modern Kernels
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2025 4:16 am
**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!*
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!*