nspluginwrapper version 0.9.91.5 video issues.

[John.Michael.Kane]

Binary package hint: nspluginwrapper

There's currently a issue with some users of nspluginwrapper version 0.9.91.5 under feisty 64bit. While I know nspluginwrapper has not been package for fesity users are reporting some odd issue in which firefox started to lock up and slow down, As well as the flash content in question going blank.

Personally i have been unable to reproduce these problems using nspluginwrapper version 0.9.91.5 under feisty or gutsy. I figured posting this report would allow users testing the nspluginwrapper under feisty or gutsy to chime in on this issue, and to see if it can be resolved, As well as to possibly rule out nspluginwrapper as the problem. I included links to threads that report the issue.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=541396
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=476924&page=25

[Jonas Thorell (jthorell)]

Well, since I'm one of the people that ran into this problem let me outline my system and what happened.

I'm running Kubuntu Feisty, upgraded to KDE 3.5.7 (the packages available from Kubuntu.org). Apart from that, I'm using some packages from Medibuntu and Pure64 (janvitus.interfree.it). The nspluginwrapper was installed from the latter. I've upgraded the kernel to 2.6.22-9 (from the Gutsy repos), and I usually keep my packages up-to-date although I've taken the precaution to lock the nspluginwrapper to 0.9.91.4 for the time being.

As far as Firefox goes, it is the standard version available from the standard feisty repos. It's not a beta-version or compiled from source or anything like that. I only use the flash plugin. I used to use the pdf-plugin from Adobe too, but at first I thought that was what caused problems so I removed it and haven't moved it back yet.

There are a couple of extensions installed though:
*Beagle Indexer
*Flashgot
*Google browser sync
*Google toolbar
*Konquefox
*Noscript
*Ook? Video Ook!
*Tab Mix Plus
*Ubuntu Forums Menu
*User Agent Switcher

All have been installed for months, and has never given me a problem. Still, I did disable them to see if they were causing the problem. Since the problem persisted with them disabled, I don't think that is likely.

I'm not sure which day the problem started, but it is only a few days. What happens is basically that firefox becomes extremely sluggish, and locks up somewhat frequently. If I have it minimized into the kicker, it is not always possible to get firefox back into focus or even get it out of its minimized status.

Further, imagine a webpage that only shows an embedded flash movie (a rather useless webpage that, but still). With nspluginwrapper 0.9.91.5 installed, I would only get a blank page. Firefox doesn't give me an error message, nor does it tell me to install a missing plugin.

When I reverted back to 0.9.91.4, the problem vanished.

To be honest, I do not think that the nspluginwrapper is the only culprit here. The sluggishness and locking-up occurs even when viewing pages that do not require or want flash, but since the problem vanish if using the earlier version I do think that it is a part of the equation.

Finally, the problem is partly present in Konqueror too. Konqueror does not become slow or locks up, but I don't get any flash content either.

I'd be happy to provide further details if needed.

[Applegeek (gromitsprinkles)]

Here is my situation:

Ubuntu Feisty -amd64, fresh install with Nvidia -100 drivers, Amd 4600 X2 CPU, NVidia 7100 card. System is 100% working stable with Compiz Fusion/Emerald, although these are turned OFF while troubleshooting.

Then installed Firefox 2, nspluginwrapper -5, Flash 9.

Make sure all is on current updates. System is 100% stable otherwise, no other issues found, system works fine and stable on Feisty (32) install as well (with all plugins).

System _was_ running fine last week until the system took an update last Friday <Don't know if that was the culprit>. Then the system would crash at random times while viewing Flash videos in Firefox. Hard crash, or window with scrambled lines would be left on screen that you can't kill. After rebooting then navigating back to same video content, video would play OK.

18 out of 24 amd64 users in our users group are having some sort of trouble with Flash 9 over the last few days, all reporting strange problems. Like Firefox slowing down really bad. Seems like the users on nspluginwrapper -4 are faring better. Doesn't seem to be a common denominator on video card.

In my case, I completely removed, then re-installed nspluginwrapper -5, and that seemed to help.

However, one effect I've noticed is that when a user tries to go full screen while watching a video, at best the video will freeze (and system becomes buggy after that) and sometime the system will hard-crash, requiring reboot. I know full screen might not be supported, but it shouldn't crash the system, either, if a user tries to go full screen.

Sometimes users will report Firefox seeming to run slowly after a video has finished playing.

It would _seem_ that the problems popped up within the last few days, perhaps after Friday's update, if that is a clue.

[Applegeek (gromitsprinkles)]

This just happened 5 minutes ago on a Feisty -amd64 install, NVidia 7100, Firefox 2, manual install of nspluginwrapper -5 and Flash 9, little else installed. System was working 100% fine all last week.

Just checked update manager, all packages updated. System had to have nspluginwrapper -5 reinstalled after Friday's package update, then seemed to be working again.

Watching "TMNT - Don's Transofrmation" video at YouTube, over my daughter's shoulder.

She just moved the mouse off the video window, and the system crashed. No clicking or anything. Scrambled lines on a video window that you can't kill, no keyboard, had to restart system.

Rebooted system, went back to the same video, and can't get it to happen again, moving mouse all over the place.

I can't tell if the mouse-move event caused the problem, or if it was coincidence.

Just reporting a possible clue.

[Sarah Kowalik (hobbsee-deactivatedaccount)]

Thanks for taking the time to report this bug and trying to help make Ubuntu better. However, it seems that you are not using a software package provided by the official Ubuntu repositories. Because of this the Ubuntu project can not support or fix your particular bug. Please report this bug to the provider of the software package. Thanks!

[John.Michael.Kane (j.m.k)]

Thanks for taking time respond to this issue. I just want to clarify which
package your referring to. flash or the nspluginwrapper.

On 9/8/07, Sarah Hobbs <email address hidden> wrote:
>
> Thanks for taking the time to report this bug and trying to help make
> Ubuntu better. However, it seems that you are not using a software
> package provided by the official Ubuntu repositories. Because of this
> the Ubuntu project can not support or fix your particular bug. Please
> report this bug to the provider of the software package. Thanks!
>
> ** Changed in: nspluginwrapper (Ubuntu)
> Status: New => Invalid
>
> --
> nspluginwrapper version 0.9.91.5 video issues.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/136991
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>

--
——

[Jonas Thorell (jthorell)]

Sarah,

I totally understand the reasoning and it is what I expected considering it is from a third-party.

However, I would still say it is warranted to take a look at the bug eventually even if not now. Why? Because, if I'm not mistaken, nspluginwrapper will be included in the Ubuntu repos for Gutsy even if not installed by default. The bug as it is now may be due to a mistake made when compiled and packaged, but then again: it may not. It could, for instance, be a conflict between nspluginwrapper and something that is officially supported. If that is the case more people could very well come across this bug when Gutsy is officially released - even if it is not included in the main category. Personally, I would advocate having the problem corrected and having nspluginwrapper installed by default in 64-bit.

Anyhow, if it is a conflict between nspluginwrapper and something available from the standard repos, it is something that the Ubuntu developers need to look into if the wrapper will indeed be available in standard Gusty repos.
If it is a bug in the source, the upstream developer need to know about it. Unfortunately, I have no idea of what would be useful for him/her/the team to know apart from what I said here. I have a suspicion that my bugreport here would not be sufficient.

As a sidenote, I tried to circumvent the problem by trying gnash instead. Unfortunately, gnash is not ready to replace the official flash-player yet but I hope it will some day.