video problems after upgrading to Intrepid

[majoob]

I'm a relative n00be who recently upgraded from Hardy to Intrepid and have run into video problems.


Blank screen after switching to a different user profile (almost a show-stopper)
Error when trying to switch to visual effects > none (annoying)


It wasn't a clean install.. I used Hardy's update manager.

Could sure use some help!

sysinfo:

System information report, generated by Sysinfo: 11/12/2008 9:00:13 PM
http://sourceforge.net/projects/gsysinfo

SYSTEM INFORMATION
Running Ubuntu Linux, the Ubuntu 8.10 (intrepid) release.
GNOME: 2.24.1 (Ubuntu 2008-10-24)
Kernel version: 2.6.27-7-generic (#1 SMP Tue Nov 4 19:33:20 UTC 2008)
GCC: 4.3.2 (i486-linux-gnu)
Xorg: unknown (24 October 2008 08:00:16AM)
Hostname: matt-desktop
Uptime: 0 days 0 h 22 min

CPU INFORMATION
GenuineIntel, Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
Number of CPUs: 1
CPU clock currently at 2392.276 MHz with 512 KB cache
Numbering: family(15) model(2) stepping(9)
Bogomips: 4784.55
Flags: fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe up pebs bts cid xtpr

MEMORY INFORMATION
Total memory: 1515 MB
Total swap: 4447 MB

STORAGE INFORMATION
SCSI device - scsi0
Vendor: ATA
Model: ST3320620A
SCSI device - scsi1
Vendor: HL-DT-ST
Model: CD-ROM GCR-8483B
SCSI device - scsi1
Vendor: SONY
Model: CD-RW CRX216E
SCSI device - scsi2
Vendor: WD
Model: 3200JB External

HARDWARE INFORMATION
MOTHERBOARD
Host bridge
Intel Corporation 82845G/GL[Brookdale-G]/GE/PE DRAM Controller/Host-Hub Interface (rev 01)
Subsystem: Dell Device 0160
PCI bridge(s)
Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge (rev 81)
USB controller(s)
Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 01)
Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 01)
Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 01)
Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-M) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 01) (prog-if 20)
ISA bridge
Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL (ICH4/ICH4-L) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 01)
IDE interface
Intel Corporation 82801DB (ICH4) IDE Controller (rev 01) (prog-if 8a [Master SecP PriP])
Subsystem: Dell Device 0160

GRAPHIC CARD
VGA controller
Intel Corporation 82845G/GL[Brookdale-G]/GE Chipset Integrated Graphics Device (rev 01)
Subsystem: Dell Device 0160

SOUND CARD
Multimedia controller
Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 01)
Subsystem: Dell Device 0160

NETWORK
Ethernet controller
Broadcom Corporation BCM4401 100Base-T (rev 01)
Subsystem: Dell Device 8127

my 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

# commented out by update-manager, HAL is now used
#Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
# Driver "kbd"
# Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
# Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
# Option "XkbLayout" "us"
#EndSection

# commented out by update-manager, HAL is now used
#Section "InputDevice"
# Identifier "Configured Mouse"
# Driver "mouse"
# Option "CorePointer"
#EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
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

compiz:

checking for Xgl: not present.
Blacklisted PCIID '8086:2562' found
aborting and using fallback: /usr/bin/metacity

[abn91c]

theres a bug in the Intel 845 video card driver in 8.10, you must turn off desktop effects to get a successful install. I have not seen a solution in the forums yet. I use kubuntu on a dell 2400 and get same screen and lock ups if i try desktop effects

[majoob]

Thanks abn91c.
Unfortunately, even with the desktop effects set to none I still get lockups when switching between users.

I'm now wishing I'd done a little research before upgrading.

Found these threads:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=965846
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=975502

and this one seems risky:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=765875

[majoob]

So, is there any way I can go back to Hardy? Short of that, I'm left with two paths: buy an new frigging video card or go back to Windows.

[mbturner]

So, is there any way I can go back to Hardy? Short of that, I'm left with two paths: buy an new frigging video card or go back to Windows.

You can always try clean install. Try that before windows. I am having other issues. In Hardy I could edit my xorg.conf file to put a driver "i810" entry under video device, but your xorg.conf looks like mine since I installed intrepid: no driver specified under that section. sorry, i'm not much help yet.