Can't enable visual effects in Ubuntu 8.04

[whk1992]

Hello,

It's the first time I came to here
I'm new to Linux, and I switched to Ubuntu because of its amazing desktop effects.

However, I can't enable them, seems to be the problem of display driver?

I followed some guides about installing openchrome, and modified the xorg.conf, but nothing special - I still can't use those effects.

# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
#   sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Generic Keyboard"
	Driver		"kbd"
	Option		"XkbRules"	"xorg"
	Option		"XkbModel"	"pc105"
	Option		"XkbLayout"	"cn"
	Option		"XkbOptions"	"lv3:ralt_switch"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Configured Mouse"
	Driver		"mouse"
	Option		"CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier	"Configured Video Device"
	Driver		"openchrome"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
	Identifier	"Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier	"Default Screen"
	Monitor		"Configured Monitor"
	Device		"Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier	"Default Layout"
	Screen		"Default Screen"
EndSection

I run glxgears in terminal, and 3D seems work fine

whk1992@whk1992-desktop:~$ glxgears
2113 frames in 5.0 seconds = 422.448 FPS
2260 frames in 5.0 seconds = 451.984 FPS
2262 frames in 5.0 seconds = 452.382 FPS
2254 frames in 5.0 seconds = 450.749 FPS
2269 frames in 5.0 seconds = 453.038 FPS
2269 frames in 5.0 seconds = 453.742 FPS
2260 frames in 5.0 seconds = 451.998 FPS
2265 frames in 5.0 seconds = 452.974 FPS
2018 frames in 5.0 seconds = 403.485 FPS

The driver's problem really makes me feel confusing. I can't find any solution or driver for hardy in the official site of VIA.

Can anyone help me?
Thanks a lot.

[gruntz]

OpenChrome do not support 3D acceleration at the moment. You can try to download and install the VIA driver, from VIA Linux Portal

То check the 3D use "glxinfo" from console. If the "Direct rendering" is set to "yes" you have 3D, if it is "no" (as it should be with openchrome) you have no 3D.

[whk1992]

Well... it says yes!
So does 3D driver cause the problem I can't use effects?

whk1992@whk1992-desktop:~$ glxinfo
name of display: :0.0
display: :0  screen: 0
direct rendering: Yes
server glx vendor string: SGI
server glx version string: 1.2
server glx extensions:
    GLX_ARB_multisample, GLX_EXT_import_context, GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap, 
    GLX_EXT_visual_info, GLX_EXT_visual_rating, GLX_OML_swap_method, 
    GLX_SGI_make_current_read, GLX_SGI_swap_control, GLX_SGIS_multisample, 
    GLX_SGIX_fbconfig, GLX_SGIX_visual_select_group
client glx vendor string: SGI
client glx version string: 1.4

...........

I used Device Manager to check which driver does my video chip use, it says vt8623fb, is that openchrome?

I went to VIA Linux Portal also, but can't find CLE266+VT8235!

[gruntz]

Why don`t you ask in openchrome forum http://wiki.openchrome.org/tikiwiki/tiki-forums.php

Mine chipset is different then yours.

[pgr]

I´ve got the same chipset (CLE266), maybe I can give you another hint...

I am using the ubuntu 3D driver from the linux.via.com.tw (via-unichrome.83.40692.tar.gz) and glxgears tells me 3d/dri works. Your 3D seems to be OK, I dont think you have to change your actual driver. I never used the openchrome driver though because I got a Panel attached via the LVDS Adapter Port, only the via driver works fine for me in this config.

You cant enable the desktop effects because the via driver ist not whitelisted in compiz. You´d have to add your driver to the whitelist in order to get it working.

- Edit the file /usr/bin/compiz
- find WHITELIST="nvidia intel ati radeon i810"
- add your driver (for example: WHITELIST="nvidia intel ati radeon i810 via" - may be "openchrome" for you?)
- Restart X Server (Ctl+Alt+Backspace)

This worked for me and somewhat enabled Desktop Effects, but I got some graphic errors and performance was ugly. I disabled compiz after trying... ;-)

hope this helps,
pgr