HOWTO: Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 + Xgl + ATI fglrx + Compiz Fusion

michael37 · 01:23 PM

This document is specific to proud owners of challenging ATI video cards and to the new release of Gutsy Gibbon 7.10. The guide has two sections: instructions for the fresh Gutsy install and instructions for Feisty upgrade.

Note for Hardy Heron 8.04 and Intrepid Ibex 8.10 users. The new ATI accelerated driver supports so called AIGLX so XGL is not required. However, XGL still works, and is apparently a working strategy to address some video playback (choppy video, video tearing) problems with Compiz Fusion.

This guide supersedes Feisty guide. The original location of this guide is here. I prefer that troubleshooting takes place on the "Desktop Effects" optimization forum in the original thread rather than here.

If you are doing fresh install of Gutsy

When using apt-get, please close Synaptic Package Manager or Update Manager.

Enable fgrlx driver.

Install linux-restricted-modules and restricted-manager provided in the restricted repositories:
Code:
```
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install linux-restricted-modules-generic restricted-manager
```
Open the restricted drivers manager in "System -> Administration -> Restricted Drivers Manager" and select "ATI accelerated graphics driver".
Install xserver-xgl package
Code:
```
sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl
```

Install compiz

Code:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager compiz compiz-core compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-fusion-plugins-extra compiz-gnome compiz-plugins libcompizconfig-backend-gconf libcompizconfig0

Reboot
Log in. 3D effects should be enabled!

If you are upgrading from Feisty 7.04 or earlier versions and you have run Xgl before.

When upgrading, you may experience blank screen, a screen with no windows and toolbars, a screen with only a background, or any other mess. It is caused by the customized scripts for Xgl which do not work with Gutsy. So, we need to clean up. We will end up wiping your custom Compiz settings -- but this may be required since some customizations applicable to early alpha versions of Compiz Fusion in Feisty are incompatible to more mature Compiz Fusion version in Gutsy.

If you really can't log into a working X session and open a terminal, simply press "Ctrl-Alt-F1" to get into the text prompt and follow the removal steps (1-4) from the text interface. After a reboot, the graphics should work better.

When using apt-get, please close Synaptic Package Manager or Update Manager.

Remove compiz

Code:

sudo echo "activate sudo"
sudo apt-get --purge remove compiz*
sudo apt-get --purge remove libcompiz*
sudo apt-get --purge remove libdecoration0
sudo apt-get --purge remove compizconfig-settings-manager 
sudo apt-get --purge remove python-compizconfig

Remove Xgl
Code:
```
sudo apt-get --purge remove xserver-xgl
```
Clean up
Code:
```
sudo apt-get autoremove
```
Remove customizations
Code:
```
rm -rf ~/.compiz
rm -rf ~/.config/compiz
rm -rf ~/.gconf/apps/compiz
sudo rm -i /usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh
sudo rm -i /usr/share/xsessions/xgl.desktop
```
When asked to remove the files, type YES. If the files were present and you removed them, proceed to the next item. Otherwise, undo customizations to /etc/gdm/gdm.conf and /etc/gdm/gdm.conf-custom that you have made from this section of the guide
Reboot
Login back in and find yourself in a 3D effect devoid session. You may not even be running a windows manager. If you can't move windows and don't see window decorations, press "Alt-F2" and type
Code:
```
metacity --replace
```
Verify that everything else is working properly, e.g. Firefox opens, Wired and/or Wireless Network connects, etc. This is the best time to troubleshoot everything else until we enable 3D effects.
Enable fgrlx driver.

Install linux-restricted-modules and restricted-manager provided in the restricted repositories:
Code:
```
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install linux-restricted-modules-generic restricted-manager
```
Open the restricted drivers manager in "System -> Administration -> Restricted Drivers Manager" and select "ATI accelerated graphics driver".
Reboot if necessary.
After reboot, log back in.
Open terminal and run
Code:
```
fglrxinfo -display :0
```
and verify that you see something like this:
Code:
```
display: :0.0  screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6473 (8.37.6)
```
If you don't have command fglrxinfo, you either don't have a supported ATI card or you missed a step or two. Go back through all steps. If unsure, post your /etc/X11/xorg.conf in this thread.
=================================
Are you ready to get back into the wobbly windows and Desktop Cube?
=================================
Install Xgl.
Code:
```
sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl
```

Install compiz

Code:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager compiz compiz-core compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-fusion-plugins-extra compiz-gnome compiz-plugins libcompizconfig-backend-gconf libcompizconfig0

Reboot
Log in. 3D effects should be enabled! You no longer need to select a special Xgl session.

Troubleshooting

A common problem in step 10 is fgrlxinfo output like this:

Code:

# fglrxinfo -display :0
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: Mesa project: www.mesa3d.org
OpenGL renderer string: Mesa GLX Indirect
OpenGL version string: 1.4 (2.1 Mesa 7.0.1)

.
That means you are not using the restricted driver. Enable it via Restricted Driver Manager -- see step 8. Just in case, run command

Code:

sudo aticonfig --initial

then reboot (that's step 9).

-----------
If you have a laptop, suspect and hibernate will not work until ATI fixes a bug in the driver. More details at https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...22/+bug/121653
-----------

If you have any questions, please post output of commands
fglrxinfo -display :0
fglrxinfo -display :1
as well as contents of your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file in the original thread

References
DO NOT FOLLOW THESE LINKS BLINDLY. MOST ARE WRITTEN FOR FEISTY AND THIS GUIDE UNDOES WHAT IS SUGGESTED IN THESE GUIDES.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...&postcount=217
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=488385
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/ATI
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedDrivers/ATI
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CompositeManager/Xgl

seasom

so after going through half a dozen installation guides on this site & the wiki and being unsuccessful, this worked for me. thank you so so much!

[ajax]

Well, I'll concede that this worked better for me than anything else so far.

However, Compiz Fusion is quite slow, esp. compared to my old Beryl Install.

"fglrxinfo -display :0"

Quote:

display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: Radeon X1950 Series
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6958 Release

"fglrxinfo -display :1"

Quote:

display: :1.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: Mesa project: www.mesa3d.org
OpenGL renderer string: Mesa GLX Indirect
OpenGL version string: 1.2 (2.1 Mesa 7.0.1)

"xorg.conf"

Quote:

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

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

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

Section "Device"
Identifier "Generic Video Card"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
BusID "PCI:6:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "SyncMaster"
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "Generic Video Card"
Monitor "SyncMaster"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Modes "1440x1440" "1440x900" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1152x864" "1024x768" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"

# Uncomment if you have a wacom tablet
# InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
# InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
# InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection

[ajax]

Fixed the problem. Word of warning: the ATI 42.x.3 (whatever the latest one is as of 11/25/07) sucks. I downgraded the driver to get things to run smoothly.

keithk

Just thought I'd chime in also. This worked for me after a long series of disaoopointments. thanks!

adrianmak

Does this guide applicable on new ati display like ati 2400, 2600, 2900, 3850, 3870 card ?

Zarneth

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrianmak

Does this guide applicable on new ati display like ati 2400, 2600, 2900, 3850, 3870 card ?

I got it to work on my HD 3850.
But as Ubuntu doesn't have a driver yet you need to download the driver for the HD2900 from ati.com. It's a tad glitchy as the 38's aren't officially supported yet. But still usable if you can't live with out features such as scale. I hear ati are supposed to be bringing out a new driver in a month or so.

You may also need to do a "sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg" to setup the fglxr driver.

accog

when i attempt to install the xserver-xgl i get this from the terminal:
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
anyone got any ideas?

olskar

Quote:

Originally Posted by accog

when i attempt to install the xserver-xgl i get this from the terminal:
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
anyone got any ideas?

Run "sudo dpkg --configure -a" as it tells you

accog

Thanks a bunch! (D'oh!)

But now when i try to install the xserver-xgl package its telling me it cannot find it. Does it no longer exist?!?

accog@accog-desktop:~$ sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: Couldn't find package xserver-xgl
accog@accog-desktop:~$

October 19th, 2007	#1
michael37 Has an Ubuntu Drip Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston, MA, USA Beans: 788 Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala	HOWTO: Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 + Xgl + ATI fglrx + Compiz Fusion This document is specific to proud owners of challenging ATI video cards and to the new release of Gutsy Gibbon 7.10. The guide has two sections: instructions for the fresh Gutsy install and instructions for Feisty upgrade. Note for Hardy Heron 8.04 and Intrepid Ibex 8.10 users. The new ATI accelerated driver supports so called AIGLX so XGL is not required. However, XGL still works, and is apparently a working strategy to address some video playback (choppy video, video tearing) problems with Compiz Fusion. This guide supersedes Feisty guide. The original location of this guide is here. I prefer that troubleshooting takes place on the "Desktop Effects" optimization forum in the original thread rather than here. If you are doing fresh install of Gutsy When using apt-get, please close Synaptic Package Manager or Update Manager. Enable fgrlx driver. Install linux-restricted-modules and restricted-manager provided in the restricted repositories: Code: sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install linux-restricted-modules-generic restricted-manager Open the restricted drivers manager in "System -> Administration -> Restricted Drivers Manager" and select "ATI accelerated graphics driver". Install xserver-xgl package Code: sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl Install compiz Code: sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager compiz compiz-core compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-fusion-plugins-extra compiz-gnome compiz-plugins libcompizconfig-backend-gconf libcompizconfig0 Reboot Log in. 3D effects should be enabled! If you are upgrading from Feisty 7.04 or earlier versions and you have run Xgl before. When upgrading, you may experience blank screen, a screen with no windows and toolbars, a screen with only a background, or any other mess. It is caused by the customized scripts for Xgl which do not work with Gutsy. So, we need to clean up. We will end up wiping your custom Compiz settings -- but this may be required since some customizations applicable to early alpha versions of Compiz Fusion in Feisty are incompatible to more mature Compiz Fusion version in Gutsy. If you really can't log into a working X session and open a terminal, simply press "Ctrl-Alt-F1" to get into the text prompt and follow the removal steps (1-4) from the text interface. After a reboot, the graphics should work better. When using apt-get, please close Synaptic Package Manager or Update Manager. Remove compiz Code: sudo echo "activate sudo" sudo apt-get --purge remove compiz* sudo apt-get --purge remove libcompiz* sudo apt-get --purge remove libdecoration0 sudo apt-get --purge remove compizconfig-settings-manager sudo apt-get --purge remove python-compizconfig Remove Xgl Code: sudo apt-get --purge remove xserver-xgl Clean up Code: sudo apt-get autoremove Remove customizations Code: rm -rf ~/.compiz rm -rf ~/.config/compiz rm -rf ~/.gconf/apps/compiz sudo rm -i /usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh sudo rm -i /usr/share/xsessions/xgl.desktop When asked to remove the files, type YES. If the files were present and you removed them, proceed to the next item. Otherwise, undo customizations to /etc/gdm/gdm.conf and /etc/gdm/gdm.conf-custom that you have made from this section of the guide Reboot Login back in and find yourself in a 3D effect devoid session. You may not even be running a windows manager. If you can't move windows and don't see window decorations, press "Alt-F2" and type Code: metacity --replace Verify that everything else is working properly, e.g. Firefox opens, Wired and/or Wireless Network connects, etc. This is the best time to troubleshoot everything else until we enable 3D effects. Enable fgrlx driver. Install linux-restricted-modules and restricted-manager provided in the restricted repositories: Code: sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install linux-restricted-modules-generic restricted-manager Open the restricted drivers manager in "System -> Administration -> Restricted Drivers Manager" and select "ATI accelerated graphics driver". Reboot if necessary. After reboot, log back in. Open terminal and run Code: fglrxinfo -display :0 and verify that you see something like this: Code: display: :0.0 screen: 0 OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc. OpenGL renderer string: ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 OpenGL version string: 2.0.6473 (8.37.6) If you don't have command fglrxinfo, you either don't have a supported ATI card or you missed a step or two. Go back through all steps. If unsure, post your /etc/X11/xorg.conf in this thread. ================================= Are you ready to get back into the wobbly windows and Desktop Cube? ================================= Install Xgl. Code: sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl Install compiz Code: sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager compiz compiz-core compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-fusion-plugins-extra compiz-gnome compiz-plugins libcompizconfig-backend-gconf libcompizconfig0 Reboot Log in. 3D effects should be enabled! You no longer need to select a special Xgl session. Troubleshooting A common problem in step 10 is fgrlxinfo output like this: Code: # fglrxinfo -display :0 display: :0.0 screen: 0 OpenGL vendor string: Mesa project: www.mesa3d.org OpenGL renderer string: Mesa GLX Indirect OpenGL version string: 1.4 (2.1 Mesa 7.0.1) . That means you are not using the restricted driver. Enable it via Restricted Driver Manager -- see step 8. Just in case, run command Code: sudo aticonfig --initial then reboot (that's step 9). ----------- If you have a laptop, suspect and hibernate will not work until ATI fixes a bug in the driver. More details at https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...22/+bug/121653 ----------- If you have any questions, please post output of commands fglrxinfo -display :0 fglrxinfo -display :1 as well as contents of your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file in the original thread References DO NOT FOLLOW THESE LINKS BLINDLY. MOST ARE WRITTEN FOR FEISTY AND THIS GUIDE UNDOES WHAT IS SUGGESTED IN THESE GUIDES. http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...&postcount=217 http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=488385 https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/ATI https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedDrivers/ATI https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CompositeManager/Xgl Last edited by michael37; November 30th, 2008 at 01:23 PM.. Reason: Update

November 23rd, 2007	#2
seasom First Cup of Ubuntu Join Date: Nov 2007 Beans: 3	Re: HOWTO: Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 + Xgl + ATI fglrx + Compiz Fusion so after going through half a dozen installation guides on this site & the wiki and being unsuccessful, this worked for me. thank you so so much!

November 25th, 2007	#4
[ajax] 5 Cups of Ubuntu Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North East United States My beans are hidden! Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn	Re: HOWTO: Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 + Xgl + ATI fglrx + Compiz Fusion Fixed the problem. Word of warning: the ATI 42.x.3 (whatever the latest one is as of 11/25/07) sucks. I downgraded the driver to get things to run smoothly.

November 25th, 2007	#5
keithk 5 Cups of Ubuntu Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southport NC Beans: 23 Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn	Re: HOWTO: Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 + Xgl + ATI fglrx + Compiz Fusion Just thought I'd chime in also. This worked for me after a long series of disaoopointments. thanks!

November 28th, 2007	#6
adrianmak 5 Cups of Ubuntu Join Date: Nov 2007 Beans: 27	Re: HOWTO: Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 + Xgl + ATI fglrx + Compiz Fusion Does this guide applicable on new ati display like ati 2400, 2600, 2900, 3850, 3870 card ?

November 28th, 2007	#8
accog First Cup of Ubuntu Join Date: Nov 2007 Beans: 8	Re: HOWTO: Gutsy Gibbon 7.10 + Xgl + ATI fglrx + Compiz Fusion when i attempt to install the xserver-xgl i get this from the terminal: E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem. anyone got any ideas?

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