HD2600XT, Compiz, AIGLX, and Ubuntu Studio (Hardy, realtime kernel)

[shadowjester]

Okay, so here's the rundown -- All I want is for compiz-fusion, fglrx, and bigdesktop to all work just fine together (as in accelerated (2 & 3D) graphics on both screens, with compiz being capable of running) on my ATI HD2600XT graphics card. I have tried every method, manner, and way to try to get it all to work, to no avail, so I'd be appreciative to anyone who can get this to work.

I have installed fglrx via Envy, and it works (mostly); however, the rendering of windows, icons, and other various desktop-y things are as slow as a dog. Any hints on getting it working properly?

I configured my dual-head setup with aticonfig in the terminal. It's pretty much where I want it, but I want to know if the setup's going to play properly with Compiz and fglrx later.

As for Compiz, I can't get the sucker to run whatsoever. The appearance tab just tells me it cannot initialize compiz, and running compiz in the terminal gets me:

Checking for Xgl: not present.
Detected PCI ID for VGA: 01:00.0 0300: 1002:9586 (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
Checking for texture_from_pixmap: present.
Checking for non power of two support: present.
Checking for Composite extension: present.
Comparing resolution (3360x1050) to maximum 3D texture size (2048): Failed.
aborting and using fallback: /usr/bin/metacity

Any ideas on how to get it working?

I've also attached my xorg.conf and lspci. I hope it helps. Thanks in advance!

lspci:
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation E7505 Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
00:00.1 Class ff00: Intel Corporation E7505/E7205 Series RAS Controller (rev 03)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation E7505/E7205 PCI-to-AGP Bridge (rev 03)
00:02.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation E7505 Hub Interface B PCI-to-PCI Bridge (rev 03)
00:02.1 Class ff00: Intel Corporation E7505 Hub Interface B PCI-to-PCI Bridge RAS Controller (rev 03)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 02)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 02)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 02)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-M) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge (rev 82)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL (ICH4/ICH4-L) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 02)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801DB (ICH4) IDE Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) SMBus Controller (rev 02)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc RV 630 XT AGP [Radeon HD 2600 XT AGP]
01:00.1 Audio device: ATI Technologies Inc RV630/M76 audio device [Radeon HD 2600 Series]
02:1c.0 PIC: Intel Corporation 82870P2 P64H2 I/OxAPIC (rev 04)
02:1d.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82870P2 P64H2 Hub PCI Bridge (rev 04)
02:1e.0 PIC: Intel Corporation 82870P2 P64H2 I/OxAPIC (rev 04)
02:1f.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82870P2 P64H2 Hub PCI Bridge (rev 04)
04:02.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82540EM Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 02)
05:01.0 Multimedia audio controller: Creative Labs SB Audigy (rev 03)
05:01.1 Input device controller: Creative Labs SB Audigy Game Port (rev 03)
05:01.2 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Creative Labs SB Audigy FireWire Port
05:03.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82557/8/9/0/1 Ethernet Pro 100 (rev 0d)
05:04.0 RAID bus controller: Silicon Image, Inc. SiI 3112 [SATALink/SATARaid] Serial ATA Controller (rev 02)

xorg.conf:
# 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 "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Configured Video Device"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
Defaultdepth 24
EndSection

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

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "NoLogo" "True"
Option "DesktopSetup" "horizontal,reverse"
Option "Capabilities" "0x00000800"
Option "PairModes" "0x0+0x0"
Option "EnableMonitor" "crt1,crt2"
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
Busid "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[1]"
Driver "fglrx"
Busid "PCI:1:0:0"
Screen 1
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
EndSection

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

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

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
screen "Default Screen" 0 0
Option "AIGLX" "True"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

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

Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Enable"
EndSection

[shadowjester]

Well, I've tried to install fglrx via the generic kernel, to no avail. The driver installs and runs; however, every driver I attempt defaults OpenGL rendering to Mesa, rather than something that works. Any ideas?

(Also, mods, this thread might be better off in Multimedia and Video now that I've found the problem...can it be moved? Thanks.)

[shadowjester]

bump

[markbuntu]

You should really be using Catalyst Control Center to configure your monitors. If you do not have it amdcccle is in the repos.

Also, you might have better luck with the newer 8.6 driver from ATI. You can follow the directions here:

http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubuntu_Hardy_Installation_Guide

Use method 2 and follow it very carefully.

Then you can try some of the adjustments here:

http://forum.compiz-fusion.org/showthread.php?t=6794

To see if you can get some better performance.

Anyway, it seems that compiz is not starting because the maximum 3D textured video size your card is capable of as it is currently configured is smaller than your screen size. Try setting VideoOverlay to "off" and try some of the other suggestions in the second link.

[shadowjester]

This is the problem -- I got 8.6 installed (I ditched the realtime kernel, as it's as useful to my work as a journalist or artist as curdled milk is to an ice cream maker), along with Catalyst Control Center. Big surprise that it's about as useful as "tits on a bull" (pardon the euphemism); aticonfig does a better job IMHO.

Mesa is still loading as an indirect rendering method; I want direct. Any ideas?

EDIT: I tried the changes you suggested. Zip. Nada. Nothing. Mesa is still being used as an indirect renderer, and everything on my desktop is still be rendered at a wonderful rate of .5 fps. Probably a little over-exaggeration there, but I've seen children with no fingers program faster than my GFX card is rendering. Any help would be fantastic.

[shadowjester]

bump

Still needing the help figuring out why Mesa is running indirectly instead of using the GFX card to directly render.

[markbuntu]

The only way I ever got rid of that mess with mesa was a complete clean reinstall of ubuntu and then immiediately get the ATI driver installed. I dicked around for 3 weeks before I threw in the towel and reinstalled, should have done it first thing.

I have had no problems since except for the usual compiz show since on both my 32 bit and 64 bit installs with my HD3650 card which is basically the same architechture as the 2600.

[shadowjester]

I just did a clean install, and I'll be installing fglrx first thing after work. Hopefully it works this time.

EDIT: I also think it was the install of the realtime kernel as a part of Ubuntu Studio -- there are reported issues between fglrx and the -rt kernel.

[shadowjester]

Reinstalled Ubuntu, and fglrx works perfectly. Go figure, right?

Thanks for all the help.

[markbuntu]

You are entirely welcome. I always worry when I tell people to do a complete reinstall. I'm glad it worked out for you.

If you want some tips for tweaking the driver go here:

http://forum.compiz-fusion.org/showthread.php?t=6794

Now, could you please mark this thread as solved using the thread tools.