[Bug] VICE outputs a blank screen only after a security update to your X11 libraries

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The information in this article applies to the following versions of VICE:

• all versions up to 1.21 on Linux

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PROBLEMEXPOSITION

With all VICE versions up to 1.21 running in an X environment, the emulator just outputs a blank screen. Everything else seems to work if you enter commands blindly, only the screen is missing.

This occurs after you update your X11 with some security patch.

CAUSE

VICE calls some X11 functions with wrong arguments. Older X11 did not notice this, but the security patch prevents the wrong call.

SOLUTION

A workaround is available: http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=418295. Apply this, and recompile VICE.

STATUS

The VICE team has confirmed this to be a problem in the VICE versions listed at the beginning of this article. It has been corrected in all subsequent versions.

LINKS

• The patch can be found here: http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=418295.
• The original security fix which led to this behaviour: http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=414045.

THANKS

Thanks to Pier Luigi Pau for submitting a fix to this bug on Debian Bug Tracking.

REVISION

• April 15h, 2007: Original release of this document