ubuntu-x-swat team mailing list archive

[idyllic <hoameomu@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Public bug reported:

Binary package hint: fglrx

[Environment]
* You are using fglrx restricted driver from Ubuntu repository or download the linux driver from AMD ATI website (fglrx version <= 8.723.1-0ubuntu3).
* If your ATI card is listed in the following pdf, then your desktop behaviours will most likely be affected the 'bugs' listed in [Symptoms] section.
  https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/catalyst_102_linux.pdf
* GNOME and KDE SC 4.
* Compositing desktop is enabled (Compiz and KWIN).

[Symptoms]
* Window Management: Unminimizing, Maximising, Full-Screening, Resizing windows and Switching windows (Alt+Tab) will noticably freeze the screen for about 1 second plus. Your mileage might vary.
* Memory (RAM) Management: Secondary problem you might notice is memory leak and/or memory-clearing problem (http://www.phoronix.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21471).

[Workarounds]
* Window Management:
 - Using PPA (Lucid Only) by Bryce Harrington (not up-to-date as of time of writing)
   PPA address @ https://edge.launchpad.net/~bryceharrington/+archive/violet
   In terminal, 'sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bryceharrington/violet' then install the update and reboot.
 - Compile your own packages - when the ppa is not updated fast enough (or you are an update-freak like me)
   + You need to tick 'Source Code' option in Synaptic Repositories or add relevant source code repo (deb-src) if you are using ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates.
   + Building instruction:
   sudo apt-get build-dep xorg-server
   sudo apt-get install devscripts
   apt-get source xorg-server
   cd xorg-server-*
   wget http://launchpadlibrarian.net/45103003/xserver-xorg-backclear.patch
   patch -p1 < xserver-xorg-backclear.patch
   dch -l -backclear-local 'Backclear Patch'
   debuild -us -uc
   cd ..
   dpkg --install xserver-xorg-core*.deb
   dpkg --install xserver-common*.deb

* Memory (RAM) Management:
 - In terminal, run 'glxinfo' command or invoke 'glxgears' to release the 'uncleared' memory. You might need 'mesa-utils' package installed.
 - Create a bash script to run at start up
   #!/bin/sh
   while [ 1 ]
   do
     glxinfo
     sleep 60
   done

[My Suggested Comment Guidelines - subjected to change]
* Keep it civil.
* Subscribe to the bug instead of comment like 'it affects me too'.
* Help test the patch for potential regression as requested by Bryce Harrington:
 "A. What we need is solid proof of the following:

    1. No visible regression on -intel with compiz turned on
    2. No visible regression on -ati with compiz turned on
    3. No visible regression on -nouveau with compiz turned on
    4. No visible regression on -nvidia with compiz turned on
    5. No visible regression on at least one video driver with kde kwin desktop effects turned on.

  Alternatively, I could accept either of the following:

  B. Rejigger the patch so its logic is only enabled when the fglrx
driver is loaded

  C. Forward the patch upstream to Debian or bugs.freedesktop.org and get it accepted into the upstream xserver, from which we can pull a cherrypick patch.
"

** Affects: fglrx-installer (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: fglrx lucid

-- 
[Lucid][Ubuntu 10.04][ATI cards] Slow/freeze windows management (resize, maximise, .etc) with fglrx driver + compositing desktop.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/568988
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