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**askrieger** · Jul 16, 2006, 01:04 PM

Re: NVIDIA driver problems? or X.org configuration problem?

Just a question to make sure: Did you install the package "linux-restricted-modules-{YOUR KERNEL}, where {YOUR KERNEL} is the output of "uname -r"?

**heinkel_111** · Jul 16, 2006, 01:39 PM

Re: NVIDIA driver problems? or X.org configuration problem?

Hi askrieger!

Yes, I doublechecked in Adept:

Code:

myuser@mymachine:~$ uname -r
2.6.15-26-386

And adept tells me linux-restricted-modules-2.6.15.26-386 is installed.

**askrieger** · Jul 16, 2006, 10:44 PM

Re: NVIDIA driver problems? or X.org configuration problem?

That was just to remove the possiblity of a gross blunder, but it does raise the issue of why you are using a 386 kernel? Unless your actual CPU is older than a Pentium 3 (I think) you should be using a 686 kernel, IF it is a 32 bit AMD processor, it should probably be a K7 kernel. However, none of this is really relevant to your present problem,

I suspect that your problem may not have anything to do with your nvidia driver or your xorg.conf file, although I could be wrong. About a year ago, I noticed that my screensaver was slowing down periodically, and then speeding up again. I investigated by turning the screen saver off and looking at "top" when the machine was otherwise idle. I found that a particular program called, if I recall correctly, "gamserver" was the culprit. A bit of googling, thereafter indicated that his was a known bug and revealed the workaround. Therefore, I suggest that when you notice your machine slowing down, that you waste some time watching top. Actually, I'd suggest watching top for a while when the machine is perking along properly, as well, in order to have a baseline.

Just for the record, my top applications are xorg, top, konsole, init, and amarokapp (I'm listening to music). Yours may differ, but If I saw anything new in the top three or four when the machine slowed down, I would get suspicious.

**heinkel_111** · Jul 17, 2006, 12:29 AM

Re: NVIDIA driver problems? or X.org configuration problem?

Originally posted by askrieger

That was just to remove the possiblity of a gross blunder, but it does raise the issue of why you are using a 386 kernel?

I suspect that your problem may not have anything to do with your nvidia driver or your xorg.conf file, although I could be wrong.

Actually, I'd suggest watching top for a while when the machine is perking along properly, as well, in order to have a baseline.

Why 386 kerne

l...well that might have been the gross blunder then. My idea was just counting upwards 386,486,pentium, 686. Then, as 5 in "pentium" comes before 6 i needed to go with something older.
I have never seen any problem related to this (except possibly the one at hand here). Furthermore, as it is possible to extract information on which processor is onboard, it should be possible to issue warnings on install if there is a mismatch. I saw none, and no problems clearly related to choice of kernel afterwards. It was not broken so i did not fix it :P

I have been looking at "top" earlier and the desktop hang-ups are clearly related to a surge of activity on Xorg, which runs at 50% CPU for several minutes. This is why I have the suspicion that my xorg.conf may be to blame.

Thanks for the advice!
(Oh, offtopic: is it difficult to upgrade the kernel? or just get right one using adept and rest takes care of itself?)

**askrieger** · Jul 17, 2006, 12:03 PM

Re: NVIDIA driver problems? or X.org configuration problem?

Just use Adept or Synaptic to install the correct kernel and the scripts in the package will take care of everything.

I can't see anything obviously incorrect about your xorg.conf file except the unneccesary wacom entries, which usually don't do any harm. Can you disable some of the effects you're using like transparency and shdowing just to see if they are related to the problems you are experiencing?

**heinkel_111** · Jul 17, 2006, 12:23 PM

Re: NVIDIA driver problems? or X.org configuration problem?

I have disabled transparency/shadowsin the windows in the control panel right now. (I have norwegian language, so I cannot provide all the correct english terms, but it is under system settings > desktop > window behavior > transparency tab (checkbox on top))

Except I still have composite enabled in the xorg.conf this is quite much what I used before I installed the nvidia driver. If even this can't be handled, I am about to give up

It appears that the desktop is working faster now withhout the translucency. And I haven't crashed Xorg yet in 20 minutes - but this is no good, once you go to the transparent windows, you never want to go back. At least I don't want to! Me <3 eyecandy!

EDIT: I am still unsure about which kernel i should use, is there a definitive reference somewhere?

**askrieger** · Jul 17, 2006, 04:30 PM

Re: NVIDIA driver problems? or X.org configuration problem?

686 works for Pentium Pro, II, III, IV and Celeron. K7 works for AMD Duron, Athlon, and Sempron (32 bit). I'm sorry, I don't know which kernel to use for a Xeon. Is that an EMT-64?

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NVIDIA driver problems? or X.org configuration problem?

NVIDIA driver problems? or X.org configuration problem?

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