Nvidia 295.40 - Ubuntu 12.04 Beta 2 Fresh Install (slow performance in Unity 3D)

[Alvaro Leal (Effenberg0x0)]

Ubuntu Release: 12.04 (PP Beta 2 with full updates for Apr 15, 2012)
$ lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu precise (development branch)
Release: 12.04

Package and Version:
nvidia-current 295.40-0ubuntu1
NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-295.40.run (binary installer from NVidia FTP)

I have seen this behavior in 3 machines today. In at least one of them, the performance got back to normal after:
- Uninstalling nvidia-*;
- Making sure nouveau wouldn't auto-load after removing nvidia-current (/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf - added "Blacklist nouveau);
- Downloading / installing NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-295.40.run from NVdia FTP (download.nvidia.com);
- Unchecking "Sync to VBlank" in CCSM/OpenGL Plugin;
- Unchecking "Sync to VBlank" in nvidia-settings (at XServer XVideo Settings and OpenGL Settings);

I have verified that the softlinks at /usr/lib/*GL* and /usr/lib32/*GL* are correct, unlike previous problems we had with NVidia weird performance specially in OO (rare reports in PP).

/var/log/Xorg.0.log displays no warning/error or unusual info regarding NVidia/NVRM and neither does dmesg.
Some users are reporting crashes of compiz (in which Unity launcher / global panel) disappears). This is not the case for me.
Modinfo confirms I am using the correct kernel module version (295.40) and lsmod shows no trace of other vga driver, other nvidia module besides the correct one or nouveau.

Fell free to contact me if any further info is needed.

Thank you,
Alvaro "Effenberg0x0" Leal

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: nvidia-current (not installed)
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-23.36-generic 3.2.14
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-23-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
.proc.driver.nvidia.gpus.0: Error: [Errno 21] Is a directory: '/proc/driver/nvidia/gpus/0'
.proc.driver.nvidia.gpus.1: Error: [Errno 21] Is a directory: '/proc/driver/nvidia/gpus/1'
.proc.driver.nvidia.registry: Binary: ""
.proc.driver.nvidia.version:
 NVRM version: NVIDIA UNIX x86_64 Kernel Module 295.40 Thu Apr 5 21:37:00 PDT 2012
 GCC version: gcc version 4.6.3 (Ubuntu/Linaro 4.6.3-1ubuntu4)
ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu3
Architecture: amd64
CompizPlugins: [core,composite,opengl,compiztoolbox,decor,vpswitch,snap,mousepoll,resize,place,move,wall,grid,regex,imgpng,session,gnomecompat,animation,fade,unitymtgrabhandles,workarounds,scale,expo,ezoom,unityshell]
Date: Mon Apr 16 00:54:28 2012
DistUpgraded: Fresh install
DistroCodename: precise
DistroVariant: ubuntu
GraphicsCard:
 NVIDIA Corporation G96 [GeForce 9500 GT] [10de:0640] (rev a1) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
 NVIDIA Corporation GT216 [GeForce GT 220] [10de:0a20] (rev a2) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
   Subsystem: Elitegroup Computer Systems Device [1019:1b01]
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS "Precise Pangolin" - Alpha amd64 (20120324.1)
JockeyStatus:
 kmod:nvidia_173 - NVIDIA binary Xorg driver, kernel module and VDPAU library (Proprietary, Disabled, Not in use)
 kmod:nvidia_current_updates - NVIDIA binary Xorg driver, kernel module and VDPAU library (Proprietary, Disabled, Not in use)
 kmod:nvidia_173_updates - NVIDIA binary Xorg driver, kernel module and VDPAU library (Proprietary, Disabled, Not in use)
 kmod:nvidia_current - NVIDIA binary Xorg driver, kernel module and VDPAU library (Proprietary, Disabled, Not in use)
MachineType: System manufacturer System Product Name
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.2.0-23-generic root=UUID=e2c075f1-0386-4bee-951c-2cb4343bf071 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
SourcePackage: nvidia-graphics-drivers
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 07/18/2011
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: 2301
dmi.board.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.board.name: M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3
dmi.board.vendor: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
dmi.board.version: Rev 1.xx
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: Asset-1234567890
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: Chassis Manufacture
dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvr2301:bd07/18/2011:svnSystemmanufacturer:pnSystemProductName:pvrSystemVersion:rvnASUSTeKComputerINC.:rnM4A89GTD-PRO/USB3:rvrRev1.xx:cvnChassisManufacture:ct3:cvrChassisVersion:
dmi.product.name: System Product Name
dmi.product.version: System Version
dmi.sys.vendor: System manufacturer
modified.conffile..etc.modprobe.d.nvidia.current.hybrid.conf: [deleted]
version.compiz: compiz 1:0.9.7.6-0ubuntu1
version.ia32-libs: ia32-libs N/A
version.libdrm2: libdrm2 2.4.32-1ubuntu1
version.libgl1-mesa-dri: libgl1-mesa-dri 8.0.2-0ubuntu3
version.libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental: libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental N/A
version.libgl1-mesa-glx: libgl1-mesa-glx 8.0.2-0ubuntu3
version.nvidia-graphics-drivers: nvidia-graphics-drivers N/A
version.xserver-xorg-core: xserver-xorg-core 2:1.11.4-0ubuntu10
version.xserver-xorg-input-evdev: xserver-xorg-input-evdev 1:2.7.0-0ubuntu1
version.xserver-xorg-video-ati: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.14.99~git20111219.aacbd629-0ubuntu2
version.xserver-xorg-video-intel: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.17.0-1ubuntu4
version.xserver-xorg-video-nouveau: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau 1:0.0.16+git20111201+b5534a1-1build2

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[Ubuntu_cork (mick-itcork)]

I have found a workaround for me based on Alvara descrition above :)
My hardware is a GeForce 7000M/nForce 610m
The solution is simply to remove the 295.40 module and to replace it with the 295.20 series and perform two tweaks as mentioned above.

1) If you don't have it already done, update your system using the following:
apt-get update && apt-get dist-upgrade
2) apt-get remove nvidia-current nvidia-common
3) Download the driver from http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/linux-display-amd64-295.20-driver-uk.html
4) Go to a terminal by holding down ALT, TAB & F2 (Any F key from 1-6 should work)
5) execute: lightdm stop
if using kdm, replace light dm with kdm, or if using gdm for display login replace lightdm with gdm.
go to the directory where you downloaded the display driver.
look for NVIDIA-"something".run
6) chmod +x ./NVIDIA-*
7) Make sure you have build-essential installed if not install it with apt-get install build-essential
8) execute " ./NVIDIA-whateverthefilenameis.run" without quotes
9) restart your display with "lightdm start" at the command prompt and choose 2d ubuntu
10) once logged in with unbridled thanks to Alvaro "Effenberg0x0" Leal perform the following steps

- Unchecking "Sync to VBlank" in CCSM/OpenGL Plugin;
- Unchecking "Sync to VBlank" in nvidia-settings (at XServer XVideo Settings and OpenGL Settings)

Reboot, login and hey presto regular unity 3d should now be up and running for you, worked for me :)

Mick.