LMDE Nvidia running slow as a snail

[Algeorge]

Hi I came from Mint Katya which was snappy/fast running same programs Im running LMDE.
Anyone can comment why such a massive difference in performance between the two? If you need more system info lets know.
My system is running Nvidia drivers but not Compositing.

Typical problem when running Skrooge accounting I add a new entry and it takes about 15 sec to add whereas before it would be 2-3 seconds. Same PC and everything else. This slowness is apparent using eg Caja where I click on a folder and it will sit for several seconds before opening the folder so its perhaps a file access issue.
When I click on a folder to open load/cpu goes to 26% same as when I make an entry in Skrooge; seems excessive.

Thanks for any help.
Alistair.

Disk /dev/sda: 80.0 GB, 80026361856 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 9729 cylinders, total 156301488 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x98269826

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 63 156296384 78148161 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT

Disk /dev/sdb: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders, total 488397168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x99f099f0

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 * 63 214030335 107015136+ 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
/dev/sdb2 214033995 340674559 63320282+ 83 Linux
/dev/sdb3 482335621 488392064 3028222 f W95 Ext'd (LBA)
/dev/sdb4 340674560 482334719 70830080 83 Linux
/dev/sdb5 482335623 488392064 3028221 82 Linux swap / Solaris

Partition table entries are not in disk order

Disk /dev/sdd: 127 MB, 127401472 bytes
109 heads, 29 sectors/track, 78 cylinders, total 248831 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0x0003ed06

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdd1 * 2048 247807 122880 b W95 FAT32

Disk /dev/sdg: 2000.4 GB, 2000398934016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 243201 cylinders, total 3907029168 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
Disk identifier: 0xfdfbe711

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdg1 * 64 3907024064 1953512000+ 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT


alistair@alsmain ~ $ cat /etc/fstab
# /etc/fstab: static file system information.
#
# Use 'blkid -o value -s UUID' to print the universally unique identifier
# for a device; this may be used with UUID= as a more robust way to name
# devices that works even if disks are added and removed. See fstab(5).
#
# <file system> <mount point> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
proc /proc proc nodev,noexec,nosuid 0 0
# / was on /dev/sdb2 during installation
UUID=6c06720e-bb29-436e-af6c-4496692fa2b0 / ext3 errors=remount-ro,user_xattr 0 1
# swap was on /dev/sdb5 during installation
UUID=78c12054-a96f-489a-bf22-465ec3cdabae none swap sw 0 0
#/dev/fd0 /media/floppy0 auto rw,user,noauto,exec,utf8 0 0
/dev/sda1 /media/windows0 ntfs umask=000,defaults,errors=remount-ro,user_xattr 0 1
/dev/sdb1 /media/windows1 ntfs umask=000,defaults,errors=remount-ro,user_xattr 0 1

[elbendecido]

What is the output for this command:

Code: Select all

inxi -SGr

[Algeorge]

Thanks:

alistair@alsmain ~ $ inxi -SGr
System: Host alsmain Kernel 3.2.0-4-486 i686 (32 bit) Distro LinuxMint 1 debian
Graphics: Card NVIDIA G72 [GeForce 7300 SE/7200 GS] X.Org 1.12.4 Res: 1024x768@75.0hz
GLX Renderer GeForce 7300 SE/7200 GS/PCIe/SSE2 GLX Version 2.1.2 NVIDIA 304.48
Repos: Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list
deb http://mirror.optus.net/linuxmint/packages/ debian main upstream import
deb http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/linuxmint-debian/latest testing main contrib non-free
deb http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/linuxmint-debian/latest/security testing/updates main contrib non-free
deb http://mirror.internode.on.net/pub/linuxmint-debian/latest/multimedia testing main non-free
Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/wuala.list
deb http://repo.wuala.com stable main

[elbendecido]

have nvidia drivers installed, then we have to verify that not work, run the following command and show me the output:

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glxinfo | egrep "glx (vendor|version)"

[Algeorge]

alistair@alsmain ~ $ glxinfo | egrep "glx (vendor|version)"
server glx vendor string: NVIDIA Corporation
server glx version string: 1.4
client glx vendor string: NVIDIA Corporation
client glx version string: 1.4

[elbendecido]

The output indicates that you are using nvidia drivers correctly.
Time to find some error in the log file.

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cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep EE

[elbendecido]

Find this:

We blacklisted Geforce Go 7300/7400 because of some freezes at startup with the "nvidia-current" driver.
3D can run with the "nvidia 173" driver with those card. However, you will get some slowness, you are warned!

Slowness It appears to be due to the age of the card, LM Devs recommends not to use older hardware (more than 5 years old).
Sorry.

[Algeorge]

Thats weird. I would expect slowness in video, but not with file access and data process.

Thanks so much for the info much appreciated.
Alistair

[Algeorge]

What I think I'll try is remove the Nvidia drivers test it, then maybe even remove the card and run it with the slow onboard motherboard video.

[elbendecido]

Or you can try the free nvidia drivers, without 3d, but maybe more fast (I think so).

[Algeorge]

Or you can try the free nvidia drivers, without 3d, but maybe more fast (I think so).

Did that with
#sudo update-alternatives --config

Set up free drivers then all hell broke loose. Even trying safe boot and fiddling in xconf.org would not cut it. Only way was to delete /etc/X11/xconf.org and then boot into non-nvidia 640x480
From there I installed the "nvidia 173" driver which also removed Nvidia kernel automatically and its returned the system to fully operation with a decent speed; CPU Blowfish 19.5

Now all I need to sort is how to add compositing with this nvidia 173 driver.

Thanks so much for your help its been spot on.
Regards,
Alistair.

[Algeorge]

A few hours later the benchmark is showing 39 seconds, and performance has dropped back.

Very odd have been keeping an eye on performance which seems to change noticeably. Apart from benchmark can anyone advise what method I can use to find out what may be slowing the system down? mate-system-monitor is showing most of the load when its slow but that is a non-explanatory item in system performance.

Also re the above Nvidia Card, can anyone recommend a low-cost PCI card which works well with LMDE?? I suspect the Nvidia card may be a bit flakey and if so, that will be causing the system slowdown.

[Algeorge]

As a matter of interest here are benchmarks Blowfish FAST is first.
Benchmarks
**********
CPU Blowfish
------------

-CPU Blowfish-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 22.708
Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.50GHz (null) 26.1876862
PowerPC 740/750 (280.00MHz) (null) 172.816713

CPU CryptoHash
--------------

-CPU CryptoHash-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 62.193

CPU Fibonacci
-------------

-CPU Fibonacci-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 4.422
Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.50GHz (null) 8.1375674
PowerPC 740/750 (280.00MHz) (null) 58.07682

CPU N-Queens
------------

-CPU N-Queens-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 12.043

FPU FFT
-------

-FPU FFT-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 8.853

FPU Raytracing
--------------

-FPU Raytracing-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 29.545
Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.50GHz (null) 40.8816714
PowerPC 740/750 (280.00MHz) (null) 161.312647



SLOW:
-CPU Blowfish-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 39.288
Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.50GHz (null) 26.1876862
PowerPC 740/750 (280.00MHz) (null) 172.816713

CPU CryptoHash
--------------

-CPU CryptoHash-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 62.193

CPU Fibonacci
-------------

-CPU Fibonacci-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 4.422
Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.50GHz (null) 8.1375674
PowerPC 740/750 (280.00MHz) (null) 58.07682

CPU N-Queens
------------

-CPU N-Queens-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 12.043

FPU FFT
-------

-FPU FFT-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 8.853

FPU Raytracing
--------------

-FPU Raytracing-
<big><b>This Machine</b></big> 3000 MHz 29.545
Intel(R) Celeron(R) M processor 1.50GHz (null) 40.8816714
PowerPC 740/750 (280.00MHz) (null) 161.312647

[elbendecido]

can anyone recommend a low-cost PCI card which works well with LMDE??

The Nvidia Gforce 210/210M is the most low profile and certified for the Ubuntu Developers. Works very well with Nvidia propietary drivers, and starts in 18 dls. new.
Like this -> http://www.amazon.com/nVidia-GeForce-210-512M-DDR3/dp/B0096VYPQO/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1375930127&sr=1-1
If works out of the box with Ubuntu, the same for Mint.

[Algeorge]

can anyone recommend a low-cost PCI card which works well with LMDE??

The Nvidia Gforce 210/210M is the most low profile and certified for the Ubuntu Developers. Works very well with Nvidia propietary drivers, and starts in 18 dls. new.
Like this -> http://www.amazon.com/nVidia-GeForce-210-512M-DDR3/dp/B0096VYPQO/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1375930127&sr=1-1
If works out of the box with Ubuntu, the same for Mint.

OK thanks got it we have them here.
Also, if possible is there a faq on removing an older Nvidia 7200 eg every time I remove it the system goes ape and it wont use onboard video. I guess I remove everything Nvidia before removing the 7200 card on next boot?

[elbendecido]

One way to make the change, is:
1) install the Nvidia driver (nvidia-current or nvidia-310)
2) Turn off the PC.
3) Change the graphic card.
4) Turn on the PC. The graphic video, should automatically configured with the driver installed,

[krige]

I'm having a similar problem on the same hardware.

I just installed a fresh copy of the latest LMDE with Cinnamon and it's going well except the system freezes up at random. When it happens, I can still move my cursor, but I'm unable to click anything, nor does the keyboard input work. I can't use ctrl-alt-backspace to restart my X session and I'm not able to use Ctrl-Alt-Fx to switch to a different tty (e.g. TTY1).

I don't mind the slowness provided I can make it work without the occasional freeze. Any idea on how I could fix it?

inxi -SGr

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System:    Host europa Kernel 3.2.0-4-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Distro LinuxMint 1 debian
Graphics:  Card NVIDIA G72 [GeForce 7300 SE/7200 GS] X.Org 1.12.4 Res: 1280x1024@60.0hz
           GLX Renderer Gallium 0.4 on NV46 GLX Version 2.1 Mesa 8.0.4
Repos:     Active apt sources in file: /etc/apt/sources.list
           deb http://packages.linuxmint.com/ debian main upstream import
           deb http://mirror.rts-informatique.fr/linuxmint/debian/latest testing main contrib non-free
           deb http://mirror.rts-informatique.fr/linuxmint/debian/latest/security testing/updates main contrib non-free
           deb http://mirror.rts-informatique.fr/linuxmint/debian/latest/multimedia testing main non-free

glxinfo | egrep "glx (vendor|version)"

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nvfx_screen_get_param:95 -  Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 -  Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 -  Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 55
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 -  Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 56
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 -  Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 59
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 -  Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 58
nvfx_screen_get_param:95 -  Warning: unknown PIPE_CAP 30
server glx vendor string: SGI
server glx version string: 1.4
client glx vendor string: Mesa Project and SGI
client glx version string: 1.4

cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep EE

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(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[    15.821] (II) Loading extension MIT-SCREEN-SAVER
[    15.859] (EE) Failed to load module "nv" (module does not exist, 0)

[krige]

I just installed a fresh copy of the latest LMDE with Cinnamon and it's going well except the system freezes up at random. When it happens, I can still move my cursor, but I'm unable to click anything, nor does the keyboard input work. I can't use ctrl-alt-backspace to restart my X session and I'm not able to use Ctrl-Alt-Fx to switch to a different tty (e.g. TTY1).

I fixed it by running:

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sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx nvidia-kernel-dkms nvidia-settings nvidia-xconfig && sudo nvidia-xconfig