kernel: [154858.820009] [drm:i915_hangcheck_elapsed] *ERROR* Hangcheck timer elapsed.

[greg@kroah.com (Greg KH)]

On Mon, Dec 15, 2014 at 11:59:27AM -0600, Chris wrote:
> On Mon, 2014-12-15 at 08:58 -0800, Greg KH wrote:
> > On Mon, Dec 15, 2014 at 08:02:13AM -0600, Chris wrote:
> > > I'm hoping I can get some advice/help here on this list with the above
> > > problem that is causing system lockups. I didn't want to post to the
> > > main list as I'm not sure it would be appropriate, I'm not even sure
> > > it's appropriate here but I'll give it a try. If someone has a better
> > > list to post to please let me know.
> > > 
> > > I have noticed the lockups periodically since 09/13/2014. I can't
> > > remember what kernel version was in use then possibly kernel
> > > 3.13.0-35-generic or -36. It has continued periodically through versions
> > > -39; -40 and now to -43. The last time this has happened was Dec 13
> > > 14:40:57 localhost kernel: [154858.820009] [drm:i915_hangcheck_
> > > elapsed] *ERROR* Hangcheck timer elapsed... render ring idle. At times
> > > when it locks up I will have a cursor on a black screen and will have to
> > > press the power button to restart other times it will lockup whenever
> > > I'm in an application. At that time I can usually CTRL>ALT-F1 log in and
> > > run 'sudo reboot' to restart the system.
> > > 
> > > Kernel version information is:
> > > 
> > > Linux version 3.13.0-43-generic (buildd at tipua) (gcc version 4.8.2
> > > (Ubuntu 4.8.2-19ubuntu1) ) #72-Ubuntu SMP Mon Dec 8 19:35:06 UTC 2014
> > > (Ubuntu 3.13.0-43.72-generic 3.13.11.11)
> > 
> > That's a very old distro-specific kernel, try building a kernel.org
> > release (like 3.18) and see if the problem is still there or not.  No
> > one in the community can help with old, distro-specific kernels, except
> > for the distro itself.
> > 
> > There are lots of Intel graphic driver changes happening in the kernel,
> > I strongly recommend updating if you have an issue with your hardware.
> > I got 2 _hours_ battery life extension in the 3.17 kernel alone due to
> > Intel driver fixes.
> > 
> > good luck,
> > 
> > greg k-h
> > 
> That's what I thought Greg but wanted to make sure. AFAIK I'm not having
> any hardware related issues but I would like to know what the 'Hangcheck
> timer' is. Possibly you can enlighten me?

That looks like a driver-specific timer, the code would tell you more,
take a look at it!

greg k-h