mardi 23 mai 2006

F.A.Q : Frequently Asked Questions

Q : does Xgl works with Xorg 7.0 ?
A : Working on Xorg 7.0
Install "xserver-xorg-dev"
setup nvidia drivers
run script
-Then trying to start Xgl gives an error: cannot find default font 'fixed'.
-Try install libfontenc-dev and libfontenc1 else you can be resolved changing in the script the line reffered to xgl to:
Xgl :0 -fp /usr/share/fonts/X11/misc -fullscreen -ac -accel glx:pbuffer -accel xv:fbo:0
-If you get errors in gnome-window-decorator (not visualizing borders) downgrade compiz and xgl packages, as described in FAQ.

Q : I get "cannot open default font 'fixed'." when i launch Xgl
A : you need configure your /etc/gdm/gdm.conf to launch Xgl.
[servers]
0=Xgl # replace X by Xgl

#-------- New c0de --------
[server-Xgl]
name=Xgl
command=/usr/X11R6/bin/Xgl :0 -fullscreen -fp /usr/share/fonts/X11/misc -ac -accel glx:pbuffer -accel xv:fbo:0
#-------- New c0de --------


Q: My video and games lag !
A : add ':0' at and of line of gdm.conf command line. :
Xgl :0 -fp /usr/share/fonts/X11/misc -fullscreen -ac -accel glx:pbuffer -accel xv:fbo:0

Q : My borders disapear !
A : Try install Libwnck : apt-get install libwnck18 libwnck-common

Q : I have an error with libdbus
A : You can install libdbus via apt-get install :
apt-get install libdbus-1-3

you may have to create symbolic link in /usr/lib/
ln -s libdbus-1.so.3.0.0 libdbus-1.so.2

Q : What I need to run Xgl ?
A :
- you need a fast computer (1Ghz minimum)
- you need a graphic card in this list
- install laster Nvidia (or ATI, Intel) drivers
- upgrade your distrib (apt-get update && upgrade)
- having gnome 2.12 or higher (apt-get install gnome-desktop-environment)
- having kernel 2.6.12 or higher
- be sure you have Xorg 6.8 or higher.
- install alien (apt-get update && apt-get install alien)
- install some libraries : libdrm2 libpng3 libxdamage1 libxcomposite1 libxfixes3 libxrender1 (apt-get install libdrm2 libpng3 libxdamage1 libxcomposite1 libxfixes3 libxrender1)

Q : Can I use driver from debian or other ?
A : NO ! You NEED official driver from www.nvidia.com or www.ati.com !

Q : Can I use Auto-Install Script ?
A : Yes, you can, only for GNOME (kde comming soon). You NEED graphic driver running before.

Q : i have some problem with nvidia drivers.
A : you need install xserver-xorg-dev, this packages able Xorg to find the good path for modules.

Q : When I run something, I haven't right.
A : You must be root to install Xgl

Q : When I run the Script I have an error : libfontenc-dev
A : This package is OPTIONAL, you can upgrade your distrib using (apt-get dist-upgrade), but you may be re-install graphic drivers and re-launch script.

Q : Can I run Xgl under KDE ?
A : Yes you can, but i don't use Kde and I haven't wrote a How To (comming soon)
[try use kdestart not gnome-session, and use kdm not gdm.]

Q : When I launch Xgl i have a "composite error"
A : in your /etc/xorg.conf, comment line about "composite extension"

Q : Can I change compiz's shortcuts ?
A : Yes, use compiz settings manager.
OLD : you can change shortcut using Gconf-Editor in Application > Systeme > Gconf.
Next
apps->compiz->plugins->{cube|zoom|wobbly...}->screen0->options.
Or using Gset-Compiz

Q : Xgl is launched but, screen is gray
A : Try install devel packages. If you have an ATI graphic card, the problem may be it... another thing, You MUST install graphic drivers BEFORE installing Xgl's packages.

Q : Xgl run well but i have some transparency problem with gdesklets
A : You can use adesklets, it's same but you must configure your desklets in text mode

Q : Where Can I found the lastest release of packages ?
A : In this list use search to found the lastest packages

Q : Can I run Xgl at start up ?
A : Yes you can, use gdm OR OBSOLET ln -s solution (in my How To).

Q : To start Xgl what can I use, Gdm.conf or ln -s ?
A: The easiest is the ln -s ! but, with gdm.conf you can have more FPS !!!
try an glxgear with each, keep the best !

Q : I haven't evry plugin loaded, how can I load all ?
A : Use compiz settings manager
OBSOLET : You need use Gconf-editor in apps->compiz->general you can found the list of activate plugin at startup.
Else try this command :
gconftool --install-schema-file=/etc/opt/gnome/gconf/schemas/compiz.schemas
or
gconftool-2 --install-schema-file /etc/opt/gnome/gconf/schemas/compiz.schemas

Else try the lastest auto install script or the lastest compiz packages.

Q : I have wrote .xgl script (for loading compiz at start up) but it don't run
A : Change authorisation. make .xgl executable !!! chmod a+x .xgl

Q : After a apt-get dist-upgrade Xgl don't works !
A : If while the upgrade Xorg is upgraded, you need re-install Graphic's drivers.

Q : When I alien .rpm I see some script error !
A : it's not important ! DON'T alien --script ! juste alien, that works well ;)

Q : When I launch compiz i have error like : error while loading libraries : libX...
A : Please READ doc ! I say you need install libraries : libdrm2 libpng3 libxdamage1 libxcomposite1 libxfixes3 libxrender1

Q : When I try to launch Xgl I have an error : wnck_window_has_name
A :
Try install libwnck 2.12 or higher (apt-get install libwnck18 libwnck-common)

29 commentaires:

  1. Hello, I have succesfully installed Xgl/compiz on my debian/unstable.
    (I need to make some symlinks because xorg is now in /usr/lib/xorg, and no more in /usr/X11R6...)

    Every plugins in compiz seems working but I have only the plugin "fade" available with gconf.

    Any tip to fix it and enable other plugins configuration in gconf ?

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  2. Same here, XGL and Compiz succesfully installed, all effects working, but I lost the shadows with the latest compiz version, and gconf-editor only shows the fade plugin. I don't know if there is a workaround for those issues, or if it is a limitation of the latest version.

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  3. For the missing keys in gconf, it can be installed manually with this command :

    gconftool --install-schema-file=/etc/opt/gnome/gconf/schemas/compiz.schemas

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  4. hi.
    I successfully installed xgl (with the script) and everything is working EXCEPT the window borders.
    i tried putting into desktop->preferences->sessions the line "gnome-window-decorator" but it still won't work.
    all the compiz plugins are ok.
    what can I do?

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  5. hi.
    i solved my window borders problem by downgrading the compiz version.
    your script installs compiz-cvs_060602 and it's not working, but compiz-cvs_060514 does.
    now everything's working!thanks

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  6. Hi man, really thx for ur HOW TO it works great on debian sid, but i just have a couple of questions, when I have xgl running, my NVIDIA X Server Settings appears different, it doesn't have any option like temperature etc. It appears this error if I run it from terminal:

    ERROR: NV-CONTROL extension not found on this Display.

    ERROR: Unable to determine number of NVIDIA GPUs on ':0.0'.

    ERROR: Unable to determine number of NVIDIA Frame Lock Devices on ':0.0'.

    It's like the nvidia-settings can't find nvidia drivers or something like that.

    And the last it's about how to use Xgl+compiz with XFCE4, any good ideas?

    Greets.
    Necro.

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  7. Hi Necro !
    For Nvidia Control like temperature etc, i think Xorg launch something, and Xgl, don'y launch it...

    For XFCE I know you can use Xgl, but I never tryed!
    I think you must launch xfce-start (or something like this), and compiz --[option like zoom, cube etc]

    sonique

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  8. Hi. Great Job.
    My problem is : when following your tutorial, i gotta a problem after executinr
    > sh xgl.sh
    Screen turns black and nothing appears to happen ...
    HDD is not doing anuthing and Ctrl+Alt+F1 has no effects. Only Ctrl+Alt+suppr let me escape :(

    Any idea ?

    Maybe I've to wait MORE ?
    I got a M11 aTI card / Driver installed and fully functional / Xorg 6.9 / Gnome / everything appears right ....

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  9. Hi, I get it working with debian Etch dist-upgraded, with Xorg 7.0.
    -First you have to make some symlink for Nvidia drivers (verify that you get GLX using old xorg server).
    -Then trying to start Xgl gives an error: cannot find default font 'fixed'.
    -This can be resolved changing in the script the line reffered to xgl to:
    Xgl :0 -fp /usr/share/fonts/X11/misc -fullscreen -ac -accel glx:pbuffer -accel xv:fbo:1
    -If you get errors in gnome-window-decorator (not visualizing borders) downgrade compiz and xgl packages, as described in FAQ.

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  10. I use KDE and (unhappy) haven't success whit your howto, but found some things that can be interesting, like a repo for libsvg*. From http://cairographics.org, i get all packages with this repository:
    deb http://cairographics.org/packages/debian/ unstable/

    For glitz pkgs, i also have in unstable.
    apt-get install libglitz-glx1 libglitz-glx1-dev libglitz1 libglitz1-dev

    and some pkgs for ubuntu/debian in
    http://www.prato.linux.it/~mnencia/debian/xgl/

    But get all and make a howto and kde, is a good think. Unhappy, i has not success. =/

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  11. Missing borders: AMD64

    gnome-window-decorator: symbol lookup error: gnome-window-decorator: undefined symbol: wnck_window_has_name

    build install from ubuntu edgy source libwnck

    apt-get -t edgy source libwnck18
    apt-get -t edgy build-dep libwnck18
    cd libwnck-2.15.4
    dpkg-buildpackage
    dpkg -i libwnck-common_2.15.4-0ubuntu1_all.deb libwnck-dev_2.15.4-0ubuntu1_amd64.deb libwnck18_2.15.4-0ubuntu1_amd64.deb

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  12. Hello Sonique!

    I have one problem with compiz... please read on :)

    Thankyou so much for your guide. I used your script and installed it perfectly. Debian Etch... Kernel 2.6.17... ati 9700 mobility with latest ati proprietary drivers but NO direct rendering :(

    I had to downgrade the compiz package to get the window borders to show, and I had to install libfontenc-dev (iirc) to stop font errors.

    Using your "xgl.sh" script I run xgl as root perfectly.

    I then modified /etc/gdm/gdm.conf as you did and loaded compiz at loading using the script from your guide.

    I can use xgl/compiz as an ordinary user _but_ I cannot use the rotate effect.

    When I load compiz inside gnome as an ordinary user the number of workspaces (the applet on the gnome toolbar) is only shown as one. Also compiz rotate won't work.
    The applets are all loaded in gconf.

    If I right-click and go to preferences and change it to 4 workspaces, only 1 still shows up on the applet, and rotate still won't work :(

    All features except rotate work - rotate works as root user, but not as other users.

    Can you please help?



    my problem with the ati drivers is that fglrxinfo says:
    ...
    Xlib: extension "XFree86-DRI" missing on display ":0.0".
    display: :0.0 screen: 0
    ...

    glxinfo says:
    ...
    Xlib: extension "XFree86-DRI" missing on display ":0.0".
    display: :0 screen: 0
    direct rendering: No
    ...

    Do you have any ideas about that too?
    My xorg.conf includes this:
    ...
    Section "Module"
    Load "dri"
    Load "glx"
    EndSection
    ...
    Section "Device"
    Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. RV350 [Mobility Radeon 9600 M10]"
    Driver "fglrx"
    BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
    EndSection
    ....
    Section "DRI"
    Mode 0666
    EndSection


    Sorry for the long message. I really appreciate your guide! Now I can keep Debian _and_ compiz :D

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  13. Hi mack!
    I'm glad my HowTo works for you !
    number desktop for compiz are configurable with gconf editor, (not with gnome applet), look in /apps/compiz/plugins/cube (i think, i haven't compiz here). looks key and change the number of desktop.
    if cube effect don't works looks 2 things :
    first : in the script which launch compiz look for "cube" in liste of option (wobbly, fade, rotate...).
    second : in gconf editor, look in /apps/compiz/default (if my memory is good :D) you can see what optionnal modules are loaded (wobbly, fade, rotate...).

    for ATI i don't know, i haven't ati card and i never install it !
    i hope i help you !

    sonique :: Cédric

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  14. Thanks for your prompt reply Cédric! :)

    You know what, the cube and rotate plugins did not load according to the list of loaded plugins in gconf.

    I will try to change the ordering, it should be ok though because it works for root, and the order matches what is required by the plugins (E.g cube before rotate. Scale after cube etc.)

    I shall try a different order... It is puzzling though.

    Thanks again!

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  15. Quote : my problem with the ati drivers is that fglrxinfo says:
    ...
    Xlib: extension "XFree86-DRI" missing on display ":0.0".
    display: :0.0 screen: 0"


    i've got the same thing and found it comes from xorg.conf :

    Section "Extensions"
    Option "Composite" "true"
    EndSection

    it won't work with ATI driver

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  16. he sonique,

    first of all i NEED to say THANKS 4 the great tutorial, xgl works fine on my debian unstable, but unfortunatily only under gnome, i need this 4 my xfce4, maybe you can write a startup script 4 xfce4?

    also i have to make some changes, comment the ' OPTION "Composite" "true" and downgrade from the newest compiz to this one in your FAQs... but im still waiting for the debian xgl packages ;) GREAT JOB...
    so now im gonna play with my xgl :)

    digitalkaoz
    http://www.digitalkaoz.net

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  17. Hey there. I use GDM to start my session. Things go good but: I can't configurate compiz and I don't have shadows. I have downgraded compiz and everything, funny thing is that root does has everything, shadows, etc..., even config, and Gset-Compiz DOES save it's configuration, but doesn't saves on my account.

    If I start with sh xgl.sh at /root/ (and as root or su) everything works. If I do it without being root or su (I mean, just being myself) it says:
    /bin/sh: /etc/sysconfig/displaymanager: No such file or directory

    then some few more errors and kicks me out. Is there anything I had to do as normal user and not as root or super user? Thanks a lot for the how to ;) Cya!

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  18. Hi, thanx for your HOWTO keep up te good work. XGL works very nice, but some keyboard shortcuts don't work or are different (zoom-in does not work). Everthing else works smoothly it's great to work with it ;).

    using:
    Debian
    Xorg 7.0
    kernel: 2.6.17 SMP i686
    on a Dell XPS M1710 (Laptop)

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  19. Hello everybody, on my computer, Xgl work really fine and it's great BUT ... all of my fullscreen applications (in majority games) fail, often the screen lag, often the display window is simply not in fullscreen, so how can i make it work in fullscreen mode ?

    I precise that my gdm.conf contain :
    command=/usr/X11R6/bin/Xgl :0 -fullscreen -fp /usr/share/fonts/X11/misc -ac -accel glx:pbuffer -accel xv:fbo

    So it should work.
    Help welcome,

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  20. Hi Sonique,

    First of all, thanks for your awesome scripts that seemlessly works.

    I'm currently on Debian etch, 2.6.16-2-686; ATI X300. I was wondering if there is a gcompizthemer and gcompiz-themes for Debian?

    After playing with compiz for two days I'm starting to hunger for more themes :D

    /cheer

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  21. Hi sonique,
    I just want to ask you if you are sure that the development library package:
    libfontenc-dev
    libxfont-dev
    libglitz-glx1-dev
    libglitz1-dev
    are really necessary.
    My problem is that I'm using xorg 6.8 and I cannot install those development package without a big dist upgrade.
    In the previous script there wasn't any of those dev library package...
    Are you sure we really need them?
    Thank you in advance.
    Demonaz.

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  22. i'm so sad : with my ATI X600, xorg and the free driver radeon, i reach around 2200 fps runing glxgears... but if i try with xgl enabled : only 60 fps !!! i think i've to try with the ATI's drivers, wich i really didn't want to use ;-( ... but once again : huge thanks for your oh!-so-clear howto !! et vive le francais sur le net ;-D

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  23. Careful, if you run the script and follow the directions like I did, this could happen to you. Keep checking back to see if it gets fixed, and if you know how to fix it, reply on the forum. http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/showthread.php?p=2445309#post2445309

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  24. hi my name is rene

    i use you script but when i finish the startx blackout and it did not work now i have to reinstall the startx again what else can i do

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  25. hi, your script didn't detect that alin wasn't installed. maybe it something to put in.

    Marten

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  26. Welcome, the script installing xgl work fine,but afer it, and after gdm restart I see my gnome for few seconds and when compiz is loading all my screen is white (except the mouse pointer),nothing can be seen.You talked about some devel-package, which one?(I have "official" nvidia drivers 1.0-9625).Any idea? thx.

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  27. sonique, I have installed following the steps right, but when I start xgl occurs the error:

    Fatal server error:
    No GLX visuals available

    What I have to do?

    PS.: I installed with your script

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