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    NVIDIA driver problems? or X.org configuration problem?

    I don't know if I have a problem with graphics card, driver or X.org, but I know there is a problem I cannot solve on my own, so please, I need help on this one!

    When I installed Dapper, I wanted to enable the graphics acceleration that should be possible with my graphics card so I installed NVIDIA driver. I like eyecandy, and I have enabled shadows etc using «Composite» in xorg.conf. Also, from the list of screensavers I selected some that used some fancy OpenGL effects. All these 3D enabled effects seem to work just nice in the beginning; but fail after some time, usually ~30-40 minutes but can be much more and sometimes less.

    The symptoms
    Screensaver: I have picked a screensaver called «vitenskap» (norwegian) which I think will be named «science» in the english language version. It is a circular magnification glass (or glass ball) that bounces around your screen. That is what it looks like when I start it. After some time the glass ball stops bouncing around on the screen.(as said above, maybe 30 minutes, maybe less maybe more, I don't often sit down to watch my screensaver :P ) Motion is only intermittent, a few frames per minute is all that seems to be managed, most of the time everything just stands still.

    On the desktop: I use partial transparency for the windows that don't have focus, and shadows for all the menus and windowframes. As with the screensaver, this seems to work just fine until at some point the rendering goes extremely slow. It is faster than with the screensaver, but still painfully slow. We are talking maybe a frame a second. Sometimes when I select a menu or open a window only the shadow behind is rendered and then have to wait wait wait wait for content and then frame to appear. Even closing all active windows before logging out thereby restarting X is sometimes so slow I am starting to use the less gentle Ctrl-Alt-Backspace keycombination to restart X.
     
    My system information
    I have a Point of View NVIDIA 6800GT 256 Mb graphics card, running Kubuntu Dapper Drake 6.06 LTS - Linux 2.6.15-26-386 running KDE 3.5.2, CPU: Intel(R)Pentium(R)4CPU2.80GHz at 2800 MHz (5605 bogomips), , RAM: 2213/2535MB, 107 proc's, 2.17d up.

    My xorg.conf file
    I have included my xorg.conf file at the base of this post.

    What is really the problem and how can I fix that?
    I have spent hours reading through miscellaneous posts on nvidia driver topics mostly in this forum but also others. I cannot find a precise description that exactly matches my problem. I have tried some solutions from «related» problems but it appears not to have any effect.
    Can someone please help me identify & solve the problem with my 3D graphics?

    Code:
    Section "Files"
      FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
      FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
      FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
      FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
      FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
      FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
      FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
      # path to defoma fonts
      FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
    EndSection
    
    Section "Module"
      Load "bitmap"
      Load "ddc"
      Load "extmod"
      Load "freetype"
      Load "int10"
      Load "type1"
      Load "vbe"
      load "glx"
      load "v4l"
    EndSection
    
    Section "InputDevice"
      Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
      Driver "kbd"
      option "CoreKeyboard"
      option "XkbRules" "xorg"
      option "XkbModel" "pc105"
      option "XkbLayout" "no"
    EndSection
    
    Section "InputDevice"
      Identifier "Configured Mouse"
      Driver "mouse"
      option "CorePointer"
      option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
      option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
      option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
    EndSection
    
    Section "InputDevice"
      Driver "wacom"
      Identifier "stylus"
      option "Device" "/dev/wacom"# Change to 
      option "Type" "stylus"
      option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
      # /dev/input/event
      # for USB
    EndSection
    
    Section "InputDevice"
      Driver "wacom"
      Identifier "eraser"
      option "Device" "/dev/wacom"# Change to 
      option "Type" "eraser"
      option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
      # /dev/input/event
      # for USB
    EndSection
    
    Section "InputDevice"
      Driver "wacom"
      Identifier "cursor"
      option "Device" "/dev/wacom"# Change to 
      option "Type" "cursor"
      option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
      # /dev/input/event
      # for USB
    EndSection
    
    Section "Device"
      identifier "NVIDIA Corporation NV40 [GeForce 6800 GT]"
      boardname "NVIDIA GeForce 6800 (generic)"
      busid "PCI:1:0:0"
      driver "nvidia"
      screen 0
      vendorname "NVIDIA"
    EndSection
    
    Section "Monitor"
      identifier "C900"
      modelname "Custom 1"
      modeline  "640x480@60" 25.2 640 656 752 800 480 490 492 525 -vsync -hsync
      modeline  "640x480@72" 31.5 640 664 704 832 480 489 491 520 -vsync -hsync
      modeline  "640x480@75" 31.5 640 656 720 840 480 481 484 500 -vsync -hsync
      modeline  "640x480@85" 36.0 640 696 752 832 480 481 484 509 -vsync -hsync
      modeline  "800x600@56" 36.0 800 824 896 1024 600 601 603 625 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "800x600@72" 50.0 800 856 976 1040 600 637 643 666 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "800x600@75" 49.5 800 816 896 1056 600 601 604 625 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "800x600@85" 56.3 800 832 896 1048 600 601 604 631 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "800x600@60" 40.0 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "832x624@75" 57.284 832 864 928 1152 624 625 628 667 -vsync -hsync
      modeline  "1024x768@85" 94.5 1024 1072 1168 1376 768 769 772 808 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1024x768@75" 78.8 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1024x768@70" 75.0 1024 1048 1184 1328 768 771 777 806 -vsync -hsync
      modeline  "1024x768@60" 65.0 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777 806 -vsync -hsync
      modeline  "1024x768@43" 44.9 1024 1032 1208 1264 768 768 776 817 +hsync interlace +vsync
      modeline  "1152x864@75" 108.0 1152 1216 1344 1600 864 865 868 900 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1152x768@54" 64.995 1152 1178 1314 1472 768 771 777 806 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1280x854" 80.0 1280 1309 1460 1636 854 857 864 896 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1280x1024@75" 135.0 1280 1296 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1280x960@60" 102.1 1280 1360 1496 1712 960 961 964 994 -hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1280x960@85" 148.5 1280 1344 1504 1728 960 961 964 1011 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1280x1024@85" 157.5 1280 1344 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1280x1024@60" 108.0 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1280x960@75" 129.86 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1002 -hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1400x1050@60" 122.61 1400 1488 1640 1880 1050 1051 1054 1087 -hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1400x1050@75" 155.85 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1096 -hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1600x1200@65" 175.5 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1600x1200@60" 162.0 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1600x1200@75" 202.5 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1600x1200@70" 189.0 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1792x1344@60" 204.8 1792 1920 2120 2448 1344 1345 1348 1394 -hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1856x1392@60" 218.3 1856 1952 2176 2528 1392 1393 1396 1439 -hsync +vsync
      modeline  "1920x1440@60" 234.0 1920 2048 2256 2600 1440 1441 1444 1500 -hsync +vsync
      modeline  "2048x1536@60" 266.95 2048 2200 2424 2800 1536 1537 1540 1589 -hsync +vsync
      gamma 1.21
    EndSection
    
    Section "Screen"
      Identifier "Default Screen"
      Device "NVIDIA Corporation NV40 [GeForce 6800 GT]"
      Monitor "C900"
      DefaultDepth 24
      SubSection "Display"
        depth 24
        virtual 2048 1536
        modes "1600x1200@75" "1600x1200@70" "1600x1200@60" "1792x1344@60" "1600x1200@65" "1856x1392@60" "1400x1050@75" "1920x1440@60" "1400x1050@60" "2048x1536@60" "1280x960@75" "1280x1024@60" "1280x1024@85" "1280x960@85" "1280x960@60" "1280x1024@75" "1280x854" "1152x768@54" "1152x864@75" "1024x768@43" "1024x768@60" "1024x768@70" "1024x768@75" "1024x768@85" "832x624@75" "800x600@60" "800x600@85" "800x600@75" "800x600@72" "800x600@56" "640x480@85" "640x480@75" "640x480@72" "640x480@60"
      EndSubSection
    EndSection
    
    Section "ServerLayout"
      Identifier "Default Layout"
      screen 0 "Default Screen" 0 0
      InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
      InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
      InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
      InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
      InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
    EndSection
    
    Section "DRI"
      Mode 0666
    EndSection
    
    Section "Extensions"
      option "Composite" "Enable"
    EndSection
    Section "device" # 
      identifier "device1"
      boardname "NVIDIA GeForce 6800 (generic)"
      busid "PCI:1:0:0"
      driver "nvidia"
      screen 1
      vendorname "NVIDIA"
    EndSection
    Section "screen" # 
      identifier "screen1"
      device "device1"
      defaultdepth 24
      monitor "monitor1"
    EndSection
    Section "monitor" # 
      identifier "monitor1"
      gamma 1.0
    EndSection
    Section "ServerFlags"
    EndSection

    #2
    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"?

    Comment


      #3
      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.

      Comment


        #4
        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.

        Comment


          #5
          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?)

          Comment


            #6
            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?

            Comment


              #7
              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?

              Comment


                #8
                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?

                Comment

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