amd-bc250-docs/docs/linux/debian.md

Debian and PikaOS Setup Guide

Debian and PikaOS offer stable, low-power options for the BC-250. While requiring more setup than other distributions, they provide excellent stability and lower idle power consumption.

Status: Works well with some effort Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced Base: Debian Testing/Sid required (not Stable) Power Usage: Lowest among tested distros

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Distribution Options

Debian Testing/Sid

Advantages:

• Rock-solid stability
• Lower power consumption
• Full control over system
• Large package repository

Considerations:

• Requires Testing or Sid (Stable too old)
• Mesa 25.1+ only in experimental repos
• More manual configuration needed
• Kernel selection critical

PikaOS

Advantages:

• Debian-based gaming distro
• Mesa 25.1+ out of box
• GPU frequency patch included by default
• Works well with BC-250
• Gaming optimizations pre-configured

Considerations:

• Smaller community than mainstream distros
• Based on Ubuntu/Debian packages
• Update schedule less frequent

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Why Choose Debian/PikaOS?

Best for:

• Users who prioritize stability over bleeding edge
• Lower idle power consumption (~50-60W vs ~70W on other distros)
• Those familiar with Debian ecosystem
• Gaming on PikaOS with less configuration

Not ideal for:

• Users wanting latest packages immediately
• Beginners (Fedora/Bazzite easier)
• Those needing bleeding-edge Mesa updates

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BIOS Requirements

Before installing, ensure BIOS is configured:

1. Flash modified BIOS (P3.00 recommended)
2. Set VRAM allocation (512MB dynamic recommended)
3. Configure fan speeds
4. Disable IOMMU (IOMMU is broken - MUST disable)

See BIOS Flashing Guide.

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Debian Installation

Prerequisites

• Debian Testing or Sid ISO (not Stable)
• USB drive (4GB+)
• Ethernet connection recommended
• Passive DP-to-HDMI adapter

Installation Steps

1. Download Debian Testing ISO

   • Get from debian.org
   • Choose "testing" installer

2. Create Bootable USB

   • Use balenaEtcher or dd

3. Boot and Install

   • May need nomodeset kernel parameter initially
   • Complete standard Debian installation
   • Choose desktop environment (GNOME or KDE)

4. First Boot

   • Boot with nomodeset if needed
   • Update system before continuing

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Post-Installation Setup

1. Add Experimental Repository

Mesa 25.1+ is only in experimental repos.

# Edit sources list
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

# Add experimental repo
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian experimental main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

Create pin preferences to prevent unwanted upgrades:

sudo nano /etc/apt/preferences.d/experimental

# Add:
Package: *
Pin: release a=experimental
Pin-Priority: 1

Package: mesa-vulkan-drivers libgl1-mesa-dri
Pin: release a=experimental
Pin-Priority: 500

Update package lists:

sudo apt update

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2. Install Mesa 25.1+

sudo apt install -t experimental mesa-vulkan-drivers libgl1-mesa-dri

Verify installation:

glxinfo | grep "OpenGL version"
# Should show: Mesa 25.1.X or higher

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3. Install Kernel

Option 1: Debian 6.12 LTS (Recommended)

sudo apt install linux-image-6.12

Option 2: Xanmod (Better Performance)

# Add Xanmod repository
wget -qO - https://dl.xanmod.org/archive.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg

echo 'deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg] http://deb.xanmod.org releases main' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xanmod-kernel.list

sudo apt update

# Install Xanmod LTS
sudo apt install linux-xanmod-lts-x64v3

Confirmed working: 6.14.11 Xanmod kernel

Important: Avoid kernel 6.15.0-6.15.6 and 6.17.8+. Use 6.15.7-6.17.7 for best performance or stick to 6.12-6.14 LTS for stability.

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4. Configure Kernel Parameters

sudo nano /etc/default/grub

# Find GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT and update:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet amdgpu.sg_display=0"

# Save and update GRUB
sudo update-grub

Remove nomodeset if you added it during installation (after Mesa is installed).

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5. Install Oberon Governor

Governor is required for proper GPU frequency scaling.

# Install dependencies
sudo apt install build-essential cmake git libdrm-dev libyaml-cpp-dev

# Clone and build
git clone https://gitlab.com/mothenjoyer69/oberon-governor.git
cd oberon-governor
cmake .
make -j$(nproc)
sudo make install

# Create systemd service
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/oberon-governor.service

Add the following content:

[Unit]
Description=Oberon GPU Governor
After=multi-user.target

[Service]
Type=simple
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/oberon-governor
Restart=on-failure

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Enable and start:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now oberon-governor.service

Verify:

systemctl status oberon-governor
cat /sys/class/drm/card0/device/pp_dpm_sclk

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6. Configure Temperature Sensors

# Install lm-sensors
sudo apt install lm-sensors

# Load nct6687 module
echo 'nct6687' | sudo tee /etc/modules-load.d/nct6687.conf

# Load module now
sudo modprobe nct6687

# Verify
sensors

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7. Install Gaming Tools

# Steam
sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo apt update
sudo apt install steam

# MangoHud
sudo apt install mangohud

# GameMode
sudo apt install gamemode

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PikaOS Installation

PikaOS is a Debian-based gaming distro with BC-250 optimizations included.

Installation Steps

1. Download PikaOS ISO

   • Get from pikaos.org or GitHub releases
   • Choose KDE or GNOME edition

2. Install Normally

   • Flash ISO to USB
   • Boot and install (should work without nomodeset)
   • Complete installation

3. Update System

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
   

4. Verify GPU Support

   # Check Mesa version
   glxinfo | grep "OpenGL version"
   # Should show Mesa 25.1+
   
   # Check Vulkan
   vulkaninfo | grep deviceName
   # Should show: AMD Radeon Graphics (RADV GFX1013)
   

PikaOS Benefits

• Mesa 25.1+ included by default
• GPU frequency patch pre-applied to kernel
• Governor support built-in (may need to enable)
• Gaming tools pre-installed
• Less configuration needed than vanilla Debian

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Verification

Check Installation

# Mesa version
glxinfo | grep "OpenGL version"
# Expected: Mesa 25.1.X+

# Vulkan driver
vulkaninfo | grep "driverName"
# Expected: driverName = radv

# GPU detection
lspci | grep VGA
# Expected: AMD/ATI device

vulkaninfo | grep deviceName
# Expected: AMD Radeon Graphics (RADV GFX1013)

# Kernel version
uname -r
# Expected: 6.15.7-6.17.7 (best) or 6.12.x-6.14.x LTS (stable)

Check Governor

# Service status
systemctl status oberon-governor

# GPU frequency
cat /sys/class/drm/card0/device/pp_dpm_sclk
# Should show multiple frequencies with * moving

Check Sensors

sensors

# Expected:
# nct6687-isa-0a20
# GPU Temp: XX°C
# Fan speeds

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Known Issues

Mesa Too Old

Symptom: vulkaninfo shows llvmpipe instead of radv

Solution:

• Ensure you're on Debian Testing/Sid (not Stable)
• Install from experimental repository
• Verify with apt policy mesa-vulkan-drivers

Kernel Compatibility Issues

Symptom: GPU initialization failures, black screens on 6.15.0-6.15.6 or 6.17.8+

Solution:

• Use 6.15.7-6.17.7 for best performance
• Or use 6.12-6.14 LTS kernels for guaranteed stability
• Avoid 6.15.0-6.15.6 and 6.17.8+ (known broken)

Audio Issues

Symptom: Pitched down audio, slowed video playback

Cause: BC-250 DisplayPort audio implementation

Solution:

• Use passive DP-to-HDMI adapter
• Or use USB audio adapter

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Power Consumption Benefits

Debian/PikaOS users report lower idle power consumption:

• Debian: ~50-60W idle
• Other distros: ~70W idle
• Under load: Similar across all distros (~150-235W)

This makes Debian ideal for:

• Always-on servers
• HTPC use cases
• Power-conscious users

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Package Management

Update System

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Install Software

# From standard repos
sudo apt install <package>

# From experimental
sudo apt install -t experimental <package>

Hold Packages

To prevent unwanted upgrades:

sudo apt-mark hold linux-image-6.12-amd64

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Troubleshooting

Black Screen on Boot

Solution:

1. Add nomodeset to kernel parameters at GRUB
2. Boot, install Mesa 25.1+
3. Remove nomodeset from /etc/default/grub
4. Run sudo update-grub
5. Reboot

GPU Not Detected

# Check Mesa version
apt policy mesa-vulkan-drivers

# Should show installed from experimental
# If not, reinstall:
sudo apt install -t experimental mesa-vulkan-drivers libgl1-mesa-dri --reinstall

Governor Not Working

# Check service
systemctl status oberon-governor

# Check logs
journalctl -u oberon-governor -f

# Restart service
sudo systemctl restart oberon-governor

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Performance Tuning

Disable Mitigations (Optional)

For ~5-10% performance boost:

sudo nano /etc/default/grub

# Add mitigations=off:
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet amdgpu.sg_display=0 mitigations=off"

sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Warning: Disables CPU security mitigations. Only use if you understand the implications.

Install Performance Tools

# nvtop for GPU monitoring
sudo apt install nvtop

# htop for system monitoring
sudo apt install htop

# CoolerControl for fan management (from GitHub releases)

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Community Resources

• Debian: debian.org
• PikaOS: pikaos.org
• Xanmod Kernel: xanmod.org
• Oberon Governor: GitLab

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Quick Reference

# Update system
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

# Check Mesa
glxinfo | grep "OpenGL version"

# Check GPU
vulkaninfo | grep deviceName

# Check governor
systemctl status oberon-governor

# Check GPU frequency
cat /sys/class/drm/card0/device/pp_dpm_sclk

# Check temps
sensors

# Update GRUB
sudo update-grub

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Related Guides:

• Fedora Setup
• Arch Linux Setup
• Bazzite Setup
• GPU Governor