Gutsy, Desktop Effects, Ati X600 and Dual Monitors

[jedixi]

This is a fresh install, and here's what I've done so far:
I used Envy to install the Ati Drivers. To confirm, the results of fglrxinfo:
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: RADEON X600 Series
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6747 (8.40.4)

And fgl_glxgears
Using GLX_SGIX_pbuffer
2064 frames in 5.0 seconds = 412.800 FPS
2261 frames in 5.0 seconds = 452.200 FPS
2228 frames in 5.0 seconds = 445.600 FPS

I used aticonfig to set up the dual-head, which works beautifully. Here's my xorg.conf:


# xorg.conf (xorg 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 "ServerLayout"

# Uncomment if you have a wacom tablet
# InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
# InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
# InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen" 0 0
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
EndSection

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

#Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "stylus"
# Driver "wacom"
# Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
# Option "Type" "stylus"
# Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
#EndSection

#Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "eraser"
# Driver "wacom"
# Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
# Option "Type" "eraser"
# Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
#EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "cursor"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
HorizSync 28.0 - 64.0
VertRefresh 43.0 - 60.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[1]"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies Inc RV380 [Radeon X600 (PCIE)]"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
Option "DesktopSetup" "horizontal"
Option "OverlayOnCRTC2" "1"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[1]"
Driver "fglrx"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
Screen 1
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies Inc RV380 [Radeon X600 (PCIE)]"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Modes "1280x1024" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[1]"
Device "aticonfig-Device[1]"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[1]"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "1"
EndSection


At this point, when I try to enable Desktop Effects from the preferences menu, I get the typical "Desktop Effects Could not be Enabled". I try installing xserver-xgl. Upon rebooting (or just logging out) and logging in again, I get the login screen just fine. However, when I put in my password and hit enter, I get the flat brown screen with a mouse (that's able to go to both screens) for a while (10s maybe), and then the screens go black, and then I'm back at the login screen. I'll edit with the result of my .xsession-errors when I reboot (because I'm in a non-Xgl session now). Please help me work this out. I would think it's possible to get effects going because I have 3D on both screens. I just want this to work properly. Thanks.
---Jed---

Here's the .xsession-errors I promised:

(process:31869): Gtk-WARNING **: This process is currently running setuid or setgid.
This is not a supported use of GTK+. You must create a helper
program instead. For further details, see:

http://www.gtk.org/setuid.html

Refusing to initialize GTK+.

(process:31873): Gtk-WARNING **: This process is currently running setuid or setgid.
This is not a supported use of GTK+. You must create a helper
program instead. For further details, see:

http://www.gtk.org/setuid.html

Refusing to initialize GTK+.
/etc/gdm/Xsession: Beginning session setup...
Checking for nVidia: not present.
Starting Xgl with options: -accel xv:pbuffer -accel glx:pbuffer -nolisten tcp -fullscreen -br +xinerama

Fatal server error:
no screens found
rm: cannot remove `/tmp/.X1-lock': No such file or directory
xmodmap: unable to open display ':1'

(gnome-session:31866): Gtk-WARNING **: cannot open display:


I'm not very familiar with Xgl, so I'm not sure how to start troubleshooting this. Thanks for your help in advance!

[dthomasdigital]

You got further than I did, I used Envy too, I never even got it to go to 2 screens. I'm on a Dell GX260 with an ati X600....I guess I'll go buy an intel card. I'm now running a single screen at 1600x1200 but I sure would like my 2nd screen running.

[flodis]

I got ATi x600 on my laptop, desktop effects does NOT work at all no matter what. :lolflag:

[JBrechtel]

I've gotten fglrx (from Envy), and BigDesktop with Xgl and CompizFusion working with the following xorg.conf



# xorg.conf (xorg 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 "ServerLayout"

# Uncomment if you have a wacom tablet
# InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
# InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
# InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen" 0 0
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "Module"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "HorizEdgeScroll" "0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Generic Video Card"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "DesktopSetup" "horizontal,reverse"
Option "Mode2" "1440x900"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Generic Video Card"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Modes "1680x1050" "1440x900" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "1"
EndSection



Unfortunately, in Gnome Xinerama is a no-go and KDE doesn't like Xgl for some reason (KDE won't start when Xgl is running) so in KDE, desktop effects are a no-go.

Currently I'm using KDE since Xinerama is important to me, but this should do the trick for you with Gnome/BigDesktop/Effects

This post looks hopeful to me for getting Xinerama working in Gnome..

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=568973

I'm going to try it later.

HTH

(Note of course that my resolutions are specific to my setup, and I have my secondary monitor set to the left of my primary hence the Horizontal,reverse line)

-James

[sammyd253]

Jedixi,

I tried editing my xorg.conf file to match yours. Everything appeared to go well except 1 minor problem. Once I edited the file, I restarted and I got to the logon screen. Both monitors were working like they should, I could move the mouse cursor from one to the other. However, once I went to logon, Ubuntu hangs. It makes my monitors go into standby, and then they come back on, and I'm back at the login screen.

Any ideas why this would happen?

I'm so close to getting my dual monitors to work, I know there has to be a work-around!!!

Thanks in advance for the help!

[jedixi]

Sadly, that's the exact state I'm in. It's so close I can taste it, but it just won't go. I don't know what else to tell you. I haven't tried the new ATi drivers though, perhaps those might bear some fruit, who knows.

[airtonix]

Problem is on radeon 9600xt too, cant even have clone mode with fglrx drivers.

[skrribble]

i'm pretty sure that the reason desktop effects won't work with dual screens and ati x600 is a hardware limitation. the x600 can only support 3d graphics for like 2400 pixels or something like that.... in my case, i have dual monitors with 1680x1050 resolution on each for a grand total of 3360x1050. in feisty using beryl, if i enabled beryl, it would work, but i would get no window decoration or effects on most of my second monitor.... after looking around on the message boards, i found that this is totally a hardware limitation and nothing can be done about it unless you use lower resolutions like 1024x768 on each monitor... the difference between gutsy and feisty (or beryl and compiz-fusion) is that gutsy knows that 3d effects can't be supported for the whole second monitor, so it won't let you try it.

i hope this rambling on makes some sense, and sorry to disappoint you.

[mrmiserable]

i also have X600 dual screen compiz (WORKING)
using ATI 8.42.3 DRIVER
my xorg is this


# xorg.conf (xorg 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 "ServerLayout"

# Uncomment if you have a wacom tablet
# InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
# InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
# InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen" 0 0
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
EndSection

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "Module"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "fr"
Option "XkbVariant" "oss"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "stylus"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "eraser"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "cursor"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
HorizSync 30.0 - 70.0
VertRefresh 50.0 - 160.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "second Monitor"
HorizSync 30.0 - 70.0
VertRefresh 50.0 - 80.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies Inc RV380 [Radeon X600 (PCIE)]"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "XAANoOffscreenPixmaps" "true"
Option "AllowGLXWithComposite" "true"
Option "AccelMethod" "XAA"
Option "DesktopSetup" "horizontal"
Option "Capabilities" "0x00000800"
Option "PairModes" "1024x1024+1024x1024,0x0+0x0"
Option "EnableMonitor" "tmds1,crt1"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies Inc RV380 [Radeon X600 (PCIE)]"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Modes "2048x1024" "1280x1024" "1024x768"
EndSubSection
EndSection


good luck

also ATI ccc sets desktop to big for compiz on dual screen

[m4cks]

This is so frustrating.. I've been through every problem and every scenario above, and more .. I just upgraded to gutsy, and I've experienced (via different xorg.conf's) extremely slow video drawing, getting GLib errors on login (that's what kicks you back to the GDM login screen), the second display not working, xinerama not working. I've tried the proprietary driver and I've tried the open source 'radeon' driver. Each has some problem or another. The closest I can get is a single screen with the radeon driver working in compiz, and dual screens with the proprietary driver working without compiz (but 2d drawing is so slow with this newest proprietary driver that I can barely scroll through web pages!).

There seems to be no single xorg.conf or driver configuration that works for more than one indivudual's ATI X600 (or similar) configuration. Every xorg.conf I try has some other limitation, and I've spent hours and hours trying to tweak them.

This is my work computer (with an ATI X600) that I'm having trouble with - I have a new nvidia 8900 at home and it just does all of this without batting an eye... I think it took me about 5 minutes to get going, and that's weith weird sized 1440x900 monitors and embedded video acceleration and amazing quality animations.

I feel like it's not even worth the effort anymore .. I am very close to just going out and buying another nvidia and sticking it in my work machine. ATI is not dedicated to ubuntu or linux. We wouldn't be having these problems if they were.

mr miserable - I tried your configuration after using Envy to install the latest ATI drivers, but all this does for me is turn off one screen and give me Glib errors when I try to login, thus booting me back to GDM login.

[mrmiserable]

ok im using ati 8.44 or 7.12 as it is called from ati site

installed the ati way eg ./ati-driver-installer-8.443.1-x86.x86_64.run

then under system preferences i set this to 2048x1024 (ati installer wants to set this higher but compiz wont work)

then you can use ati control panel for other options

also m4dks i did not use envy maybe this is why

also to check the section under

Option "EnableMonitor" "tmds1,crt1"

maybe yours is different these are my monitors

to check

code aticonfig --query-monitor

to uninstall driver just

cd /usr/share/ati

./fglrx-uninstall.sh

good luck hope this works for you