New to the open source drivers - please help

[gloscherrybomb]

Hi,

I ahve actively followed fglrx development over the last couple of years, but have needed to upgrade to ubuntu 9.04 so am now looking to use the open source drivers and follow their development.

I have a X1650 pro (R500). I've just installed jaunty and on the default settings leaving things as they were before compiz is unusually slow.

What are my next steps? Where do I get the latest driver, and what is the most appropriate for my card?

Thanks

[suokko]

You probably can get more out of opensource driver without upgrading if you enable or performance settings. Of course it is possible that you don't have dri working after removing fglrx which might have left some problematic files.

So think to do:
Check that dri works with glxinfo. For reference here is x1400 card output from important sections:
$ glxinfo |grep direct
direct rendering: Yes
$ glxinfo |grep "OpenGL"
OpenGL vendor string: DRI R300 Project
OpenGL renderer string: Mesa DRI R300 20060815 TCL
OpenGL version string: 1.3 Mesa 7.4.1
OpenGL extensions:


Then you can do some configuration changes to optimize everything:
1. create default /etc/X11/xorg.conf with command:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
2. Edit the section of your video card
Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Option "EnablePageFlip" "on"
Option "AccelMethod" "EXA"
Option "MigrationHeuristic" "smart"
EndSection
3. You can experiment with driconf tool to tune your graphics settings for performance/quality.

[gloscherrybomb]

Thanks for your reply.

I put the commands in to the terminal and they all output the same response as yours. I also did your steps for xorg.conf.

With no desktop effects its seems to run quite nicely (but then it did 3 years ago) however, as soon as I enable any desktop effects (even ubuntus 'normal' setting) the system slows right down, barely being able to drag a window, let alone using the full custom compiz settings I had before.

How do I get this working again?

[gloscherrybomb]

Should I install the radeonHD driver?

[Zhick]

You could try it, but there's no reason it should be faster...
Did you do a clean install of 9.04 or did you upgrade a previous version of ubuntun? If it's the later, you might want to try if the desktop-effects are more usable on the live-cd. If so, I guess something went wrong during the update.

You should also post you /var/log/Xorg.0.log .

[adamk]

radeonhd is just a 2D driver. It will not improve your 3D performance at all.

If you bring up a terminal and run 'compiz' what output do you get?

Adam

[suokko]

RAdeonHD doesn't provide anything opengl related so that won't help. Only way to gain better performance is to wait for current development version (radeon-rewrite) to mature and provide some important opengl performance improvements.

But for compiz runs smootly with r200 based card (if not enabling extension that require shadows or fragment shaders. :(

Of course 3D apps don't work well so I don't use compiz in day to day use.

[agd5f]

try turning off some compiz plugins. It's possible you are using one that's not well accelerated under the open driver, but was well accelerated under fglrx.

[gloscherrybomb]

Thanks for the help

I seem to have some sort of conflict, where the drivers aren't working purely from the xorg.conf?

I did a clean upgrade but kept my separate home partition.

Now I cant even enable desktop effects, even though my xorg.conf is clean.

james@james-desktop:~$ compiz
Checking for Xgl: not present.
xset q doesn't reveal the location of the log file. Using fallback /var/log/Xorg.0.log
No whitelisted driver found
aborting and using fallback: /usr/bin/metacity
/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:80: Murrine configuration option "highlight_ratio" will be deprecated in future releases. Please use "highlight_shade" instead.
/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:81: Murrine configuration option "lightborder_ratio" will be deprecated in future releases. Please use "lightborder_shade" instead.
/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:96: Murrine configuration option "style" is not supported and will be ignored.
/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:228: Murrine configuration option "style" is not supported and will be ignored.
/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:337: Murrine configuration option "style" is not supported and will be ignored.
/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:371: Murrine configuration option "style" is not supported and will be ignored.
Window manager warning: "<Super>" found in configuration database is not a valid value for keybinding "show_desktop"


post is too long.... follow up below.....

[gloscherrybomb]

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.
#
# Note that some configuration settings that could be done previously
# in this file, now are automatically configured by the server and settings
# here are ignored.
#
# 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 "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

more to come.....

[gloscherrybomb]

my var log is too long I'm afraid... if its desperate that you need it I'll find a way to get it online.

There is a conflict somewhere but I cant work it out!

[gloscherrybomb]

Oh and compiz plugins arent an issue as the ubuntu 'normal' in built desktop effects dont work, or are veerrryyy slow

[suokko]

my var log is too long I'm afraid... if its desperate that you need it I'll find a way to get it online.

There is a conflict somewhere but I cant work it out!

http://www.rafb.net/paste/


Also try to create new user so you get clean home directory which might work better. Also you sohuld check that your user is in "video" group.

[gloscherrybomb]

Ignore my previous few posts, I included the wrong copy and pastes. I have ati driver working again but normal and extra compiz are verrryyy slow. Not a plugin issue as normal effects dont work.

glxinfo:

http://rafb.net/p/XPOiPN31.html

plain xorg.conf as before

compiz:

http://rafb.net/p/3DZlRN44.html

var log:

http://rafb.net/p/XQ0V5o95.html

anything else you need let me know. Everything seems to initialise just performance with desktop effects is terrible.

[suokko]

compiz:

http://rafb.net/p/3DZlRN44.html



Checking for texture_from_pixmap: not present.
Trying again with indirect rendering:



Indirect rendering is a lot slower that direct rendering so something bad is going here ...

[gloscherrybomb]

Agreed. Its not showing direct rendering but glxinfo is.

Any ideas?

[TechMage89]

I think something is wrong about the way compiz is configured. It should be detecting the texture_from_pixmap extension and not falling back to indirect rendering. Do other 3d applications work fine?

[gloscherrybomb]

I know this sounds like a stupid question buts whats a 3D application I can use to test?

I dont think its a compiz setting, as the 'normal' desktop effects, in built by ubuntu, also work very slow.

[suokko]

I know this sounds like a stupid question buts whats a 3D application I can use to test?

I dont think its a compiz setting, as the 'normal' desktop effects, in built by ubuntu, also work very slow.

xmoto, neverball, neverputt etc are small download size but are using some 3D features so that software rendering runs around 1fps.

[agd5f]

Texture from pixmap is only available in an indirect context with dri1. It will still be hw accelerated however.

[gloscherrybomb]

I tried xmoto and it seemed to run fine, and no errors from the terminal.

So what seems to be the problem?

I tried xmoto and it seemed to run fine, and no errors from the terminal.

So what seems to be the problem?

Is it linked to my glxinfo wher eit says None or Slow like this:?

16 GLXFBConfigs:
visual x bf lv rg d st colorbuffer ax dp st accumbuffer ms cav
id dep cl sp sz l ci b ro r g b a bf th cl r g b a ns b eat
----------------------------------------------------------------------
0x5c 0 tc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x5d 0 tc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 0 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x5e 0 tc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x5f 0 tc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 0 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x60 0 tc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x61 0 tc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x62 0 tc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x63 0 tc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x64 0 dc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x65 0 dc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 0 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x66 0 dc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x67 0 dc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 0 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x68 0 dc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x69 0 dc 0 32 0 r . . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow
0x6a 0 dc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 None
0x6b 0 dc 0 32 0 r y . 8 8 8 8 0 24 8 16 16 16 16 0 0 Slow

[gloscherrybomb]

Been playing with this for hours now and still no fix.

Can desktop effects definitely be enabled on x1650 pro jaunty?

[agd5f]

yes, it should work fine.

[Pitabred]

Been playing with this for hours now and still no fix.

Can desktop effects definitely be enabled on x1650 pro jaunty?

Gnome desktop effects work great for me (even the full uber-mode) on my integrated x1250 and Jaunty, so I can't imagine it'd be any worse on an x1650.

[gloscherrybomb]

I cant work it out. I tried totally removing (including config files) compiz and reinstalling, made no difference. Is there a command which checks which version of the opensource driver is being used and that it is working properly?

[suokko]

I cant work it out. I tried totally removing (including config files) compiz and reinstalling, made no difference. Is there a command which checks which version of the opensource driver is being used and that it is working properly?

glxinfo :) It reports your opengl version + mesa version. It also tells all 3D related options that are enabled in your driver.

One possibility is that compiz is causing software fallback for some reason. You can try to run compiz with debuging "RADEON_DEBUG=verbose compiz --replace 2> compiz.log". After moment of extreme slowness you can go back using metacity/kwin and pastebin that logfile in case there is some useful info.

Also you could try if metacity can handle basic composite. Easiest way to test that is to install screenlets and start composite toggler. If you use KDE kwin also has very good composite support that rivals what compiz can do.

3D driver is part of mesa. If you want to try cutting edge version of driver (that might be unstable) you can follow https://wiki.ubuntu.com/XorgOnTheEdge but be very careful as break stuff with them is very easy. The best way to first test is to use Jaunty livecd and install driver there and then if everything works you can do same in your real environment.

[bridgman]

I cant work it out. I tried totally removing (including config files) compiz and reinstalling, made no difference. Is there a command which checks which version of the opensource driver is being used and that it is working properly?

Did you ever install fglrx on this copy of Jaunty, or are you still basically running the open source drivers which were installed by default ? The reason I'm asking is that fglrx over-writes some files on installation, and I believe those over-written files will cause problems with the open source drivers. Pretty sure that uninstalling fglrx with the package manager restores the previous files, but not 100% sure.

[gloscherrybomb]

I havent touched fglrx, and I've double checked and nothing to do with fglrx is installed. I have kept the same home folder, so there could be some old config files somewhere?

Suokko, just trying your bits now, I'll report back.

[gloscherrybomb]

james@james-desktop:~$ RADEON_DEBUG=verbose compiz --replace 2> compiz.log
Checking for Xgl: not present.
xset q doesn't reveal the location of the log file. Using fallback /var/log/Xorg.0.log
Detected PCI ID for VGA:
Checking for texture_from_pixmap: not present.
Trying again with indirect rendering:
Checking for texture_from_pixmap: present.
Checking for non power of two support: present.
Checking for Composite extension: present.
Checking screen 1Comparing resolution (1440x900) to maximum 3D texture size (4096): Passed.
Checking for Software Rasterizer: Not present.
Checking for nVidia: not present.
Checking for FBConfig: present.
Checking for Xgl: not present.
james@james-desktop:~$



compiz.log (dont think this has any important info):

/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:80: Murrine configuration option "highlight_ratio" will be deprecated in future releases. Please use "highlight_shade" instead.
/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:81: Murrine configuration option "lightborder_ratio" will be deprecated in future releases. Please use "lightborder_shade" instead.
/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:96: Murrine configuration option "style" is not supported and will be ignored.
/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:228: Murrine configuration option "style" is not supported and will be ignored.
/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:337: Murrine configuration option "style" is not supported and will be ignored.
/home/james/.themes/Dust/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:371: Murrine configuration option "style" is not supported and will be ignored.
/usr/bin/compiz.real (video) - Warn: No 8 bit GLX pixmap format, disabling YV12 image format

[gloscherrybomb]

This may help: When I click normal desktop effects in jaunty, it searches for a driver before starting the slow desktop effects?

I have started metacity composite using the toggler, and all seems to work well. The only way I can tell is because using a transparent terminal I see my desktop items, i.e. true transparency, so it must be working. I can move windows around quickly with no slowdown, but then there arent any effects.

[gloscherrybomb]

OK, I went to make a video of my problem to help... however when I used xvidcap (capture programme) and then enabled desktop effects xvidcap crashed, with this error:

xtoffmpeg.c guess_input_pix_fmt(): image depth 32 not supported ... aborting
xvidcap: Fatal IO error 9 (Bad file descriptor) on X server @7�
.
james@james-desktop:~$

Does this help?

[dungeon]

Just set to 'None' your Visual Effects and don't touch it afterwards. Instead of that install and use 'ccsm' (compizconfig-settings-manager) to enable/disable some problematic plugins, for example turn off 'mblur' plugin which is known reason of Compiz "slowness" on Mesa/DRI drivers, etc.).

And yes, for turn on/off compiz, metacity/emerald, etc. you can try 'fusion-icon'.

[gloscherrybomb]

Disabled practically every plugin, even basic movement of windows is horribly slow.

[suokko]

OK, I went to make a video of my problem to help... however when I used xvidcap (capture programme) and then enabled desktop effects xvidcap crashed, with this error:

xtoffmpeg.c guess_input_pix_fmt(): image depth 32 not supported ... aborting
xvidcap: Fatal IO error 9 (Bad file descriptor) on X server @7�
.
james@james-desktop:~$

Does this help?

seems a lot like it might some old config files from your old system. Did you try to create a new user with clean home directory?

system->administration->users and groups; crete new user and check that User privileges for video/3D acceleration is enabled.
Log out from your old user acount and log in again with new user.
If compiz is slow now too then problem is probbly compiz/driver bug.
If not then problem is hidden in your home directory. Then probably easiest way is to just move all data files to new home directory and do the configuration from clean start.

[gloscherrybomb]

Suokko, thanks for your suggestion.

Tried a new user and..... IT WORKED!

Thanks for your help guys, seem I have a hidden configuration file somewhere that is being a nuisance.

[forum1793]

xmoto, neverball, neverputt etc are small download size but are using some 3D features so that software rendering runs around 1fps.

eduke32 is also good for testing because in the options->video setup, you can choose (8 bit classic) or (32 bit...). If 3D is not accelerated 32 bit will be very slow. Other good games but not quite as small is sdlquake2 and return to castle wolfenstein. You probably need the original disk for the maps.