Help with desktop effects

[kprowell]

I am new to Mint and to Linux as well. I have hopped around a bit usually landing with Ubuntu but the last two versions disabled the ability for my latop to run Compiz-Fusion where distros like openSuse, Mandriva and pclos work like a charm in that department. Yes I know one answer could be to just pick one of those but since trying Mint I've grown pretty fond of it and I'd like to stay. My latop is a Compaq x1010 and it has a Radeon 9200 mobility. In distros that worked I've noticed it being referenced as Radeon RV250 or something like that. Can someone please help me with this?

Thanks,

Kevin

[Sakonim]

Try:

Code: Select all

sudo aptitude install xgl-server

Then logout and log back in! Taadaaaaa!

[kprowell]

I just tried that and it still doesn't work. Did I miss anything? Do I have to make changes to my xorg.conf?

[Sakonim]

I just tried that and it still doesn't work. Did I miss anything? Do I have to make changes to my xorg.conf?

That was my mistake, there isn't anything called "xgl-server". Firstly you need to have the ati propietary drivers installed through the restricted driver manager. If you've got that then do this:

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 sudo aptitude install xserver-xgl

Then log out and back in again. Then go to system>preferences>appearace>visual effects tab and choose the setting you want. You don;t have to tinker with xorg.conf at all in my experience. .

Sorry about that!

[kprowell]

No worries... I researched that part and figured that out. I cannot install the drivers as it comes up and says there are none to be installed (restricted drivers that is). I guess since it is based on Ubuntu that I might not get it to work. The last time it worked was 7.04 and the other distros I mentioned. Any other suggestions you may have would be more than appreciated.

[Sakonim]

No worries... I researched that part and figured that out. I cannot install the drivers as it comes up and says there are none to be installed (restricted drivers that is). I guess since it is based on Ubuntu that I might not get it to work. The last time it worked was 7.04 and the other distros I mentioned. Any other suggestions you may have would be more than appreciated.

I've looked into this and its a bit complicated. It seem ati's fglrx driver doesn't support the ati 9200 mobility card. You should first try the steps here - http://www.howtoforge.com/compiz-fusion ... adeon-9200 . If that doesn't work some people have found a way around it in the ubuntuforums by tinkering with xorg.conf - http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php? ... ost4242231.

[AK Dave]

Similar problems. Slightly different Radeon card. Different solution. YMMV.

My Gateway MX6453 has a Radeon Xpress 1100 IGP onboard. Sabayon Linux is the only version I've seen that both detects it and successfully installs a proper fglrx for it. Ubuntu Hardy with EnvyNG came close and got me Compiz-Fusion to work and the screen to allow suspend/resume. But I still had issues and video was incredibly unstable.

My solution to all of this has been, and this is the "YMMV" part, has been to avoid like the plague any restricted fglrx drivers. Nothing but stock ati as provided by the OS on install. Pure open-source. Compiz-Fusion doesn't work. Suspend/resume doesn't work. But the system is stable, pretty, functional, and did I mention stable? I don't need desktop effects at the expense of stability. I'd like to have suspend/resume work properly, but I'm not sure if it is worth it at this point.

There are other seperate issues that other people report with Envy on Ubuntu-based systems that appear to be due to dated or unavailable Gutsy/Feisty repos for Envy.

[kprowell]

I still cannot get this to work despite the suggestions of those who wrote back trying to help. Thanks to those who have. What I don't understand, is why this does not work with Mint and other "buntu" based distros when it works in others. I even tried the bleeding edge Fedora 9 and it worked like a charm. As I have stated previously, I prefer to stay with Mint for numerous reasons so I am trying to find a solution. Currently, I am running Fedora 9 but I just don't feel at home. As soon as I can figure this out Mint will be back on there. So, if anyone can assist me with this I would be extremely happy and grateful.

[waellerbe]

Thank you so much for posting this solution. I just upgraded my laptop with EnvyNG, and some how lost my "Desktop Effects." With the tip that you posted, it was exactly what I needed to do, to get my system back on track. Take care and have a blessed day.

Try:

Code: Select all

sudo aptitude install xgl-server

Then logout and log back in! Taadaaaaa!

[Sakonim]

Thank you so much for posting this solution. I just upgraded my laptop with EnvyNG, and some how lost my "Desktop Effects." With the tip that you posted, it was exactly what I needed to do, to get my system back on track. Take care and have a blessed day.

Try:

Code: Select all

sudo aptitude install xgl-server

Then logout and log back in! Taadaaaaa!

You welcome. But I'm guessing you mean :

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sudo aptitude install xserver-xgl

The command you quoted was a mistake on my part. Also I'm not sure that most us with ati graphics require xgl anymore because the ati drivers (fglrx) which come with hardy and elyssa support compositing.