[jaunty] Desktop effects could not be enabled

[Timothy Wilson]

Binary package hint: gdm

The desktop effects worked properly when running from live CD, however after installing it gives the message "Desktop effects could not be enabled" when trying to enable either extra or normal effect levels in Right click desktop > Change Desktop Background > Visual Effects > Normal.

Any more information it would give would be very helpful, since now the message only tells me 'it didn't work'.

If drivers need to be installed, it should be done automatically (after verification).

ProblemType: Bug
Architecture: amd64
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.04
Package: gdm 2.20.10-0ubuntu2
ProcEnviron:
 PATH=(custom, user)
 LANG=en_US.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: gdm
Uname: Linux 2.6.28-11-generic x86_64

[Sebastien Bacher (seb128)]

changing to a question that doesn't seem to be a bug and the user didn't give the basic informations as the video card and driver used there

[ajazva (ajazabdulla)]

I Just Installed 9.04 amd-64 desktop version and getting the same error. I am using Nvida 180.44 driver on a 8800GT card.
I was using 9.04 beta version which worked fine.

[Everthon Valadão (valadao)]

I think it is a "conflict situation", because I just run
`gconftool-2 --set --type=bool /apps/metacity/general/compositing_manager false`
and `compiz --replace` worked!

[zoli4290 (zoli4290)]

Also installed 9.04 amd64 desktop.
Error message: "Desktop effects could not be enabled"

lspci | grep VGA results in:
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)

Done what Everthon Valadao suggested. First command ('gconfttool-2 .....') OK, then 'compiz --replace' reports:
Checking for Xgl: not present.
xset q doesn't reveal the location of the log file. Using fallback /var/log/Xorg.0.log
Blacklisted PCIID '8086:2a02' found
aborting and using fallback: /usr/bin/metacity

Gnome-terminal seems to freeze. I have to switch to Metacity Window Manager and to GTK Window Decorator manually in order to get back terminal control.

Funny is that this all worked flawlessly in 8.04-8.10.

If you need any more info/attached file just drop me a line what to do and how to do.

[zoli4290 (zoli4290)]

Attached Xorg.0.log.

[campbuds (rick-fvwc)]

I have a Vaio VGN-CR220e and I have the same issue. I am not able to enable visual effects and had no issue with previous releases.

What info do you need from me?

[Timothy Wilson (timothy-gbcwhittier)]

There are now more reports of the same issue on other people's machines. I do not believe this is simply a misconfiguration on my part, and this issue still needs to be addressed.

I did, however find the answer to almost make this work for me at https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/67975 . I say almost, though, because the right side of my desktop background is now messed up. I will try to attach a scaled-down screenshot.

(Again,) This still needs to be fixed so the average dude can enjoy effects GNU/Linux properly working.

Integrated video hardware in Asus M2A-VM with (according to manual) ATI Radeon X1250-based graphics
Both DVI-D and RGB are in use for dual-monitor set-up
256 MB shared vram
The driver is radeon.

[Francisco (xfranx)]

I've found that the problem with visual effects is due to a Compiz blacklisted hardware (intel 965 and ATI graphics)
You can enable visual effects (at your own risk) by following the steps listed on Compiz Wiki:
http://wiki.compiz-fusion.org/Hardware/Blacklist

I've also found many bug reports involving this issue, so please someone who's experienced with this site unify them somehow.

[Duane Hinnen (duanedesign)]

Jaunty 9.04
2.6.28-11-generic x86_64
GeForce 8200
Nvidia 180.44

When I try to enable compiz I get the "Desktop effect could not be enabled"
running compiz replace gets the same error listed above and my computer locks up.

My card is not on the blacklist so I do not understand.

[Duane Hinnen (duanedesign)]

attached is the result of running compiz --replace including Backtrace and Memory Map

I believe the additional information information about non blacklisted cards having this problem merits this being reopened.

[Duane Hinnen (duanedesign)]

looks like my problem was that compositiing was enabled for Metacity. Running

gconftool-2 -s '/apps/metacity/general/compositing_manager' --type bool false

I was then able to turn on Compiz.

Changing back to Invalid and forwarding my information to that bug report. Bug #178953

[zoli4290 (zoli4290)]

I googled it out and found a brutal but working way for my Intel 965 graphic chip which was really attached to the blacklist:

Modify the script /usr/bin/compiz, commenting out the line where the graphic card is inserted in the blacklist. (I don't know about any fault why this card could have been disabled for me as I have never experienced any problem with Ubuntu 8.04 or 8.10.)

1) Type in the terminal: "sudo gedit /usr/bin/compiz"

2) Search in the file the lines about the blacklist. There should be a pair of lines with your (i.e. intel) graphic card. Uncomment them (meaning: put a '#' at the beginning of the line).

3) Save the file.

4) Restart the system

[Marcelo (marcelodimb)]

Very good tip zoli4290.
I am brazilian and finally it worked with me from tip above.
I have the follow settings:
- Architecture: amd32
- DistroRelease: Ubuntu 9.04
- SourcePackage: gdm
- Uname: Linux 2.6.28-11-generic x86_32
- Dell Vostro 1310
- VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 0C)

Excuse me for my bad English and thank so much to everybody!

[gBug (gigalimit20)]

I guess mine is solved.

I commented the lines of Intel in "/usr/bin/compiz" as suggested by zoli4290, and now I can activate my "Normal" and even "Extra" effects.
I also use

Intel's product: Mobile GM965/GL960 Integrated Graphics Controller
Linux SP34CE 2.6.28-11-generic #42-Ubuntu SMP Fri Apr 17 01:57:59 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux
Intel Core Duo 2 @ 2.2GHz
Dell Studio 14
Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope

$ grep -i UXA /var/log/Xorg.0.log
(--) intel(0): Using UXA for acceleration
(II) UXA(0): Driver registered support for the following operations:

Hopefully it wont conflict with UXA... thanks once again!