Fedora 11 2.6.30.8-64.fc11.x86 64 upgrade breaks Xorg

This is a fix and workaround for an issue with Xorg when upgraded to the 2.6.30.8-64.fc11.x86_64 kernel.

Preventing the problem from happening

1. edit the /etc/yum.conf file
2. add exclude=kernel* in the [main] section of the yum.conf file

This will prevent the kernel from upgrading and will allow you to wait for a fix to come out.

Symptoms:

1. You are booting with your new kernel and you see the fedora "F" logo load and directly after it goes to a blank screen which may or may not have a cursor blinking in the top left hand corner.
2. You try and boot the old kernel, selecting it in grub, it gets a little further than the "F" logo loading and then cuts to a coloured screen.

Workaround:

1. Boot from the new kernel
2. when you get to the blank screen, switch to another terminal by hitting Ctrl + Alt + F2.
3. Login as root and navigate to [hostname~#cd /etc/X11/]
4. Now you are in the xorg directory. From here issue the command [hostname~#cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak] This command will backup your current configuration. The problem with the current configuration is that by default Fedora will use the Nvidia drivers. The Lenovo T400s has an "Intel mobile 4 series graphics controller". We are basically going to switch the driver around with the Intel one.
5. Now that you have backed up your xorg.conf file; use your favourite text editor (nano, vi, etc) to edit [/etc/X11/xorg.conf].
6. Copy and replace the following information with the file below.
7. Save the file and logout as root
8. Log back in as your regular user and issue the command [hostname~$ startx]. A window will spawn and you will be back in business.

Replacement Xorg File

Section "Files"

ModulePath "/usr/lib64/xorg/modules"

EndSection

Section "Device"

Identifier "Videocard0"

Driver "intel"

EndSection

Fix

A fix has been found!

Upgrade to kernel 2.6.30.9-96.fc11.x86_64