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Re: Ubuntu desktop effects

Subject: Re: Ubuntu desktop effects
From: David Vincent
Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:40:39 -0700
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Andrew Hodgson wrote:
>>> I have a Ubuntu 7.10 installation on an AMD dual-core machine with 1GB
>>> of RAM and onboard video hardware.  I set the video hardware to give
>>> 128MB of video ram in the BIOS, but I am unable to start desktop effects
>>> â it gives me an error stating that desktop effects cannot be started,
>>> and goes back to the off state.
> 
>> open a terminal and type "compiz" in there, it should spit out some
>> meaningful error.  if you can paste the results here we might be able to
>> help.
> 
> It says that there is no XGL hardware found.  When I look in the xorg.conf 
> file, it says I am using the Vesa driver, which explains it.
> 
> Basically what this is is a cheap machine which I got from a local store.  It 
> is ESys branded, but is a standard case with motherboard, CD-rom, and SATA 
> HDD, and nothing else.  The manual states that the motherboard is a Foxconn 
> K8M890M2MA-RS2H motherboard.  I checked the specs, and it is a Via based 
> graphics chip.  As the BIOS was completely outdated, I tried updating this 
> and scanning for new hardware, but no luck.

Ugh.  Via based chip?  I doubt this will run Compiz.  Could be wrong
though...

> This came preloaded with Ubuntu 6.06LTS, and I formatted to 7.10.  As the 
> Compiz was not in that version, it probably didn't matter, and for only Â150 
> with a dual-core processor with 1GB RAM, I couldn't expect a lot.
> 
> One of the reasons for me trying this new machine, was that on my current 
> Dell, I had issues with the higher spec Nvidia card I have in here, so what 
> would be a "cheap and works well with Ubuntu" card?

On the low end I've got the basic effects working with a 32mb ATI Radeon
7000 card.  My recommendation would be to go with NVidia however if you
are going to purchase a card.  Do you have an AGP slot or PCIx for
graphics expansion?

Any NVidia card from the last few years should work just fine for you, I
wouldn't sink lots of $$ into a new cutting edge one.

Also, what monitor are you trying to drive and what resolution are you
aiming for?

> Whilst a bit off the subject of the thread, I checked in here, and found 
> loads of sections for a graphics tablet, is this normal?  I don't have one 
> attached to the system, only a PS/2 mouse and keyboard, although the keyboard 
> that came with it has some keys at the top which are special shortcut keys, 
> presumably designed with Windows in mind.

Totally normal.  Safe to ignore.

- -d

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