kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

[Auisce]

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I installed Linux about a week ago and for the most part my computer is running better than ever before. I've installed the extra bits to make mp3s and DVDs etc work, and I've installed the ATI driver from the ATI website and that seems to be working fine.

I have fantastic sound quality but only in stereo, not 5.1 and because it's not using the sub I have zero base.
I would try to configure this but the sound icon which appeared by default on my panel doesn't control the volume and when I click "Mixer" it opens "kmix" which also has absolutely no affect on my audio.

Amarok has a 5.1 option but that doesn't do it /* I didn't really expect it to change system config */ although the volume control in Amarok works /* but only for Amarok */

What is controling the sound and how do I configure it?

***
also

I've added this cos it's annoying and I thought it might be a related issue.

Although the ATI driver seems to work fine; many games and dvds will run for a while but then my system will hang with frozen video/graphics and stuttering sound.

I've tried reading forums and the ubuntu website but there comes a point when I'm just stuck and need a little help so please, please someone help me.

In case it's relevent:
AMD Athlon XP 2600+ /* the green gel version, not the brown ceramic one */
512Mb DDR @ 400MHz /* I think */
onbourd sound is disabled in the BIOS and not recognised by Linux
Creative Sound Blaster Live 5.1 digital /* I think it's using the "emu10k1" driver */
Sapphire 8x AGP ATI radeon X1650 pro 256Mb GDDR3 /* with appropriate driver from the ATI website */

I have no clue what aRts, alsa or oss are.

Auisce

[Rog131]

Re: kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

Maybe this help with sound problems:
HOWTO: Use a Sound Blaster Live to the fullest.
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=161817
It's for ubuntu but maybe you get some hints.

Ati driver:
What do you get from fglrxinfo and xvinfo ?

Example:
In the konsole

:~$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: RADEON 9600 XT Generic
OpenGL version string: 2.0.5814 (8.25.18)

and

:~$ xvinfo
X-Video Extension version 2.2
screen #0
 Adaptor #0: "ATI Radeon Video Overlay"
  number of ports: 1
  port base: 115
  operations supported: PutImage
  supported visuals:
   depth 24, visualID 0x23
   depth 24, visualID 0x24
....
id: 0x32315659 (YV12)
    guid: 59563132-0000-0010-8000-00aa00389b71
    bits per pixel: 12
    number of planes: 3
    type: YUV (planar)
   id: 0x30323449 (I420)
    guid: 49343230-0000-0010-8000-00aa00389b71
    bits per pixel: 12
    number of planes: 3
    type: YUV (planar)

More: Unofficial Wiki for the ATI Linux Driver
http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Main_Page
->
Ubuntu Dapper Installation Guide
http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Ubu...allation_Guide

[Auisce]

Re: kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

Hey, thanks for replying.

For fglrxinfo I get:

alan@alan-desktop:~$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: Radeon X1650 Series
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6334 (8.34.8) /* (eight point zero point three four point eight) not a smiley */

alan@alan-desktop:~$

and for xvinfo I get:

alan@alan-desktop:~$ xvinfo
X-Video Extension version 2.2
screen #0
Adaptor #0: "ATI Radeon AVIVO Video"
number of ports: 4
port base: 115
operations supported: PutImage
supported visuals:
depth 24, visualID 0x23
depth 24, visualID 0x24
depth 24, visualID 0x25
depth 24, visualID 0x26
depth 24, visualID 0x27
depth 24, visualID 0x28
depth 24, visualID 0x29
depth 24, visualID 0x2a
depth 24, visualID 0x2b
depth 24, visualID 0x2c
depth 24, visualID 0x2d
depth 24, visualID 0x2e
depth 24, visualID 0x2f
depth 24, visualID 0x30
depth 24, visualID 0x31
depth 24, visualID 0x32
depth 24, visualID 0x33
depth 24, visualID 0x34
depth 24, visualID 0x35
depth 24, visualID 0x36
depth 24, visualID 0x37
depth 24, visualID 0x38
depth 24, visualID 0x39
depth 24, visualID 0x3a
depth 24, visualID 0x3b
depth 24, visualID 0x3c
depth 24, visualID 0x3d
depth 24, visualID 0x3e
depth 24, visualID 0x3f
depth 24, visualID 0x40
depth 24, visualID 0x41
depth 24, visualID 0x42
depth 24, visualID 0x43
depth 24, visualID 0x44
depth 24, visualID 0x45
depth 24, visualID 0x46
depth 24, visualID 0x47
depth 24, visualID 0x48
depth 24, visualID 0x49
depth 24, visualID 0x4a
depth 24, visualID 0x4b
depth 24, visualID 0x4c
depth 24, visualID 0x4d
depth 24, visualID 0x4e
depth 24, visualID 0x4f
depth 24, visualID 0x50
depth 24, visualID 0x51
depth 24, visualID 0x52
depth 24, visualID 0x53
depth 24, visualID 0x54
depth 24, visualID 0x55
depth 24, visualID 0x56
depth 24, visualID 0x57
depth 24, visualID 0x58
depth 24, visualID 0x59
depth 24, visualID 0x5a
depth 24, visualID 0x5b
depth 24, visualID 0x5c
depth 24, visualID 0x5d
depth 24, visualID 0x5e
depth 24, visualID 0x5f
depth 24, visualID 0x60
depth 24, visualID 0x61
depth 24, visualID 0x62
number of attributes: 13
"XV_SET_DEFAULTS" (range 0 to 1)
client settable attribute
"XV_DOUBLE_BUFFER" (range 0 to 1)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 1)
"XV_BRIGHTNESS" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_CONTRAST" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_SATURATION" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_COLOR" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_HUE" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_RED_INTENSITY" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_GREEN_INTENSITY" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_BLUE_INTENSITY" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_BLENDING_MODE" (range 0 to 1)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_CLEAR_BUFFER" (range 0 to 1)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 1)
"XV_OFFSCREEN_RENDER" (range 0 to 1)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 1)
maximum XvImage size: 4096 x 4096
Number of image formats: 3
id: 0x32315659 (YV12)
guid: 59563132-0000-0010-8000-00aa00389b71
bits per pixel: 12
number of planes: 3
type: YUV (planar)
id: 0x30323449 (I420)
guid: 49343230-0000-0010-8000-00aa00389b71
bits per pixel: 12
number of planes: 3
type: YUV (planar)
id: 0x41424752 (RGBA)
guid: 52474241-0000-0010-8000-00aa00389b71
bits per pixel: 32
number of planes: 1
type: RGB (packed)
depth: 32
red, green, blue masks: 0xff, 0xff, 0xff
alan@alan-desktop:~$
Sorry; that's a bit long, but is what it says.

I'll have a look at the sound link but it's less important than video crashing my system. It seems like everytime I use gl it crashes but I don't know about these things.

Thanks.

Auisce

[Auisce]

Re: kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

Okay here's an update of my situation.

I reformated and installed ubuntu edgy then kde then the ATI driver (from the repository this time) then libdvdcss2 then played a DVD which ran for about 20 minutes before crashing the computer.

alan@alan-desktop:~$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: Radeon X1600 Series Generic
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6011 (8.28.8)

alan@alan-desktop:~$


alan@alan-desktop:~$ xvinfo
X-Video Extension version 2.2
screen #0
no adaptors present
alan@alan-desktop:~$


alan@alan-desktop:~$ $ glxinfo | grep direct
bash: $: command not found
alan@alan-desktop:~$


I also tried:
alan@alan-desktop:~$ fgl_glxgears
Using GLX_SGIX_pbuffer
4219 frames in 5.0 seconds = 843.800 FPS
4357 frames in 5.0 seconds = 871.400 FPS
4013 frames in 5.0 seconds = 802.600 FPS
3424 frames in 7.0 seconds = 489.143 FPS
4803 frames in 5.0 seconds = 960.600 FPS
4893 frames in 5.0 seconds = 978.600 FPS
3966 frames in 5.0 seconds = 793.200 FPS
5521 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1104.200 FPS
5847 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1169.400 FPS
5882 frames in 5.0 seconds = 1176.400 FPS
4994 frames in 5.0 seconds = 998.800 FPS
alan@alan-desktop:~$
a rotating cube was displayed with gears as discribed (I would have added a screenshot if I knew how)


Anyone got any ideas?

[Rog131]

Re: kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

alan@alan-desktop:~$ xvinfo
X-Video Extension version 2.2
screen #0
no adaptors present

Something is missing - Do you have in the xorg.conf:

Section "Device"
...
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"
...
EndSection

From: X video extension
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_video_extension

The X video extension, often abbreviated as XVideo or Xv, is a video output mechanism for the X Window System. Its main use today is to rescale video playback in hardware (namely in the hardware of the graphics card), in order to enlarge a given video or to watch it in full screen mode. Without XVideo, this scaling would have to be done in software, which is possible but requires a considerable amount of processing power, sometimes to the point of slowing down/degrading the video stream.

Hmm - newest driver seems to be 8.35.5.

Release Notes
http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/8.35.5

Have you tried Rage3D Forum(http://rage3d.net/board/forumdisplay.php?f=88)
Drivers Discussion forum for Linux drivers.

Happy Customer comments

Now how about a fix for X-Video on regular x86. Every time I move my mouse to my second screen, the X-Video window scrolls to the side and the content disappears.

Now if they would only make significant improvements (working composite+DRI) and fixes to the driver itself (properly functioning X-Video), instead of a new control center, we might have something to get excited about.

:P :P :P :P

I noticed this with feisty and 8.34.8

:~$ fgl_glxgears
Using GLX_SGIX_pbuffer
2847 frames in 5.0 seconds = 569.400 FPS
3389 frames in 5.0 seconds = 677.800 FPS
3399 frames in 5.0 seconds = 679.800 FPS
3393 frames in 5.0 seconds = 678.600 FPS
3398 frames in 5.0 seconds = 679.600 FPS
XIO: fatal IO error 11 (Resource temporarily unavailable) on X server ":0.0"
after 52 requests (51 known processed) with 0 events remaining.

Error message comes when exit.
Note feisty is still beta.

[Auisce]

Re: kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

This is my complete xorg.conf, I've changed everything I think relates to graphics green and the bit I think you were refering to red.
as you can see it says that video overlay is on but gl overlay is off. should I change it to on?
Also now if I log out then shutdown it's fine but if I shutdown from Kde the screen goes black and the system seems to hang.

Should I instal the driver from the ATI site or stick to this one?

I'm starting to think there're compatibility problems with my computer, is ATI a bad choice for Linux? I bought a new wireless card so I could change to Linux but a new graphics card is a bit out of my current budget and my graphics card isn't very old.
I know I'm new to this but this business with ATI drivers and X wotsits seems incridibly complicated and it's not like I'm trying to get the 3D Beryl thing to work (I wouldn't dare now) I just want my computer to work, and not crash.

# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen 0 "aticonfig-Screen[0]" 0 0
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
EndSection

Section "Files"

# path to defoma fonts
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"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc"
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "i2c"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
Option "XkbOptions" "lv3:ralt_switch"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Identifier "stylus"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Identifier "eraser"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Identifier "cursor"
Driver "wacom"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Generic Monitor"
HorizSync 28.0 - 73.0
VertRefresh 43.0 - 60.0
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "aticonfig-Monitor[0]"
Option "VendorName" "ATI Proprietary Driver"
Option "ModelName" "Generic Autodetecting Monitor"
Option "DPMS" "true"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. ATI Default Card"
Driver "vesa"
BusID "PCI:2:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[0]"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "ATI Technologies, Inc. ATI Default Card"
Monitor "Generic Monitor"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1472x1072" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "960x768" "960x720" "880x880" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480" "256x160" "0x808"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1472x1072" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "960x768" "960x720" "880x880" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480" "256x160" "0x808"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1472x1072" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "960x768" "960x720" "880x880" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480" "256x160" "0x808"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1472x1072" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "960x768" "960x720" "880x880" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480" "256x160" "0x808"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1472x1072" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "960x768" "960x720" "880x880" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480" "256x160" "0x808"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1472x1072" "1280x1024" "1024x768" "960x768" "960x720" "880x880" "832x624" "800x600" "720x400" "640x480" "256x160" "0x808"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "aticonfig-Screen[0]"
Device "aticonfig-Device[0]"
Monitor "aticonfig-Monitor[0]"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "AIGLX" "off"
EndSection

Those resolutions look wrong too: I need 1600x1200, 1280x1024 and 1024x768
also, I've noticed that <Ctrl> <Alt> + or - no longer changes res in Kde and when it did it wasn't constrained to the actual screen size, it was like zooming in and moveing around the desktop.

Thank you again for your help; you wouldn't get any kind of support like this with Windows.

[Auisce]

Re: kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

I'd like to mention that although I have read the GNU website and whole heartedly believe in the cause of free software and freedom in itself, my computer is not even remotely usable without propriatary drivers (it takes about 2 minutes to move a window across the screen) and I'd love to break free from Microsoft, Sony and Apple in particular because I find them to be offensive. My girlfriend has a Sony "mp3" player which without Windows is scrap and I'm yet to find any hint of a solution to that.

Also my mother has a toshiba satelite pro laptop (which I have on semi-permanent loan) which I want to free from Microsoft but it too has an ATI graphics card.
My mother has a PC with an Nvidia Geforce 4mx and an Eisystems laptop both with a ZyDas wireless usb dongle which I'd also like to free but this ATI problem and a problem I'm having with the ZyDas driver and a Sagem USB ADSL modem and our Lexmark X11*0 printers are really setting us back and keeping us under the control of Microsoft and our computers are becoming increasingly unusable due to DRM and an apparent withdrawal of a windows license for the Eisystems laptop.

I really really need to get over these problems before I start with any other computers.

[Rog131]

Re: kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

About xorg.conf:

Hmm - you have twice Section "Device".
One for vesa and one for fglrx.
I think that one is enough .

You could try something like:

Section "Device"
	Identifier   "ATI radeon X1650"
	Driver		"fglrx"
	BusID		"PCI:2:0:0"
Option			"VideoOverlay" "on"
Option         "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
Option         "TexturedVideo" "on"
EndSection

Texturedvideo is from http://www.acaciaclose.co.uk/33727/34627.html

AVIVO support
As of June 2006 the ATI driver now supports XV acceleration using the 3D engine for those parts that support AVIVO. You can enable the AVIVO Support using the "TexturedVideo" Option above. This will replace the normal Xv Overlay with an AVIVO Xv Overlay.

I need 1600x1200, 1280x1024 and 1024x768

You could take other resolutions off.


If you don't have wacom input devices -> you could remove those.


For example my xorg from feisty:

# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf(5) manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
#  sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Module"
	Load	"bitmap"
	Load	"dbe"
	Load	"ddc"
	Load	"dri"
	Load	"extmod"
	Load	"freetype"
	Load	"glx"
	Load	"int10"
	Load	"record"
	Load	"v4l"
	Load	"vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Generic Keyboard"
	Driver		"kbd"
	Option		"CoreKeyboard"
	Option		"XkbRules"	"xorg"
	Option		"XkbModel"	"pc105"
	Option		"XkbLayout"	"fi"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
	Identifier	"Configured Mouse"
	Driver		"mouse"
	Option		"CorePointer"
	Option		"Device"		"/dev/input/mice"
	Option		"Protocol"		"ImPS/2"
	Option		"ZAxisMapping"		"4 5"
	Option		"Emulate3Buttons"	"true"
EndSection

Section "Device"
	Identifier	"Ati Radeon 9600 XT"
	Driver		"fglrx"
	BusID		"PCI:3:0:0"
Option			"UseInternalAGPGART" "no"
Option			"VideoOverlay" "on"
EndSection

Section "Extensions"
	Option		"Composite"	"0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
	Identifier	"VX2235wm"
	Option		"DPMS"
	HorizSync	30-130
	VertRefresh	50-160
EndSection

Section "Screen"
	Identifier	"Default Screen"
	Device		"Ati Radeon 9600 XT"
	Monitor		"VX2235wm"
	DefaultDepth	24
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		1
		Modes		"1680x1050" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		4
		Modes		"1680x1050" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		8
		Modes		"1680x1050" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		15
		Modes		"1680x1050" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		16
		Modes		"1680x1050" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
	EndSubSection
	SubSection "Display"
		Depth		24
		Modes		"1680x1050" "1400x1050" "1280x1024" "1280x960" "1152x864" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
	EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
	Identifier	"Default Layout"
	Screen		"Default Screen"
	InputDevice	"Generic Keyboard"
	InputDevice	"Configured Mouse"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
	Mode	0666
EndSection

Note: "UseInternalAGPGART" "no" is from kubuntu 5.04 (hoary). Back then it was:

If you have an nforce2 chipset motherboard or if your Xorg.0.log reveals troubles when initialising AGP, put this in the Device section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf: Option "UseInternalAGPGART" "no"

Hmm - from Configuring with aticonfig
http://wiki.cchtml.com/index.php/Configuring

Note: Newer fglrx driver versions do not include an internal AGPGART so the kernel agpgart is used no matter what.

is ATI a bad choice for Linux?

Well to me ati is working BUT if you search the forums ...

Should I instal the driver from the ATI site or stick to this one?

Hmm That is tough question - You could check logs and try reconfiguring, if it doesn't help then new driver.


Checking logs for errors and warnings:
There is /var/log/Xorg.0.log. Also in K > System > System Logs Viewer (KSystemLog)

Example from my machine (dapper):

:~$ cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep "(EE)"
    (WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.

No errors

Warnings:

(WW) The directory "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic" does not exist.
(WW) fglrx: No matching Device section for instance (BusID PCI:3:0:1) found
(WW) fglrx(0): board is an unknown third party board, chipset is supported
(WW) fglrx(0): Specified desktop setup not supported: 8

My dapper xorg is somewhat messy I haven't cleaned it after i moved from crt to lcd. It's working so i don't touch it. .When i tried it in the feisty monitor said:

Out of Range
H.Frequency 65 kHz
V.Frequency 120 Hz

But in the dapper it is working


Xserver reconfiguration:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

this business with ATI drivers and X wotsits seems incridibly complicated and it's not like I'm trying to get the 3D Beryl thing to work

Yes it's some sort of black art.


About beryl - I noticed this:
Howto get (almost) same effects as beryl offers in Kubuntu without beryl installed
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=368142

[Rog131]

Re: kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

Afterthought:

There is Envy:
From http://www.albertomilone.com/nvidia_scripts1.html

What is Envy?:

"Envy" is an application for Ubuntu Linux written in Python and PyGTK which will:
1) detect the model of your graphic card (ATI and Nvidia cards are supported). However "Manual installation" is also available
2) download the right version of the proprietary driver for your ATI or Nvidia card from ATI or Nvidia's websites
3) handle the dependencies (compilers, OpenGL, etc.) (according to your OS version and kernel) required to build the module
4) install/uninstall the driver
5) set up your xorg.conf (i.e. the configuration file of the Xserver) for you (according to your system specifications)
6) restart the Xserver for you (if you wish so) (this feature is available only in the textual interface)

Note
I haven't tried envy, it may work or may not ! But the idea is good.

[Auisce]

Re: kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

Thank you. I'm a bit busy at the moment trying to get a new job but I'll definitely try that and report back in a few days. Thanks.

[Auisce]

Re: kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

alan@alan-desktop:~$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: Radeon X1650 Series
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6334 (8.34.8)


alan@alan-desktop:~$ xvinfo
X-Video Extension version 2.2
screen #0
Adaptor #0: "ATI Radeon AVIVO Video"
number of ports: 4
port base: 115
operations supported: PutImage
supported visuals:
depth 24, visualID 0x23
depth 24, visualID 0x24
depth 24, visualID 0x25
depth 24, visualID 0x26
depth 24, visualID 0x27
depth 24, visualID 0x28
depth 24, visualID 0x29
depth 24, visualID 0x2a
depth 24, visualID 0x2b
depth 24, visualID 0x2c
depth 24, visualID 0x2d
depth 24, visualID 0x2e
depth 24, visualID 0x2f
depth 24, visualID 0x30
depth 24, visualID 0x31
depth 24, visualID 0x32
depth 24, visualID 0x33
depth 24, visualID 0x34
depth 24, visualID 0x35
depth 24, visualID 0x36
depth 24, visualID 0x37
depth 24, visualID 0x38
depth 24, visualID 0x39
depth 24, visualID 0x3a
depth 24, visualID 0x3b
depth 24, visualID 0x3c
depth 24, visualID 0x3d
depth 24, visualID 0x3e
depth 24, visualID 0x3f
depth 24, visualID 0x40
depth 24, visualID 0x41
depth 24, visualID 0x42
depth 24, visualID 0x43
depth 24, visualID 0x44
depth 24, visualID 0x45
depth 24, visualID 0x46
depth 24, visualID 0x47
depth 24, visualID 0x48
depth 24, visualID 0x49
depth 24, visualID 0x4a
depth 24, visualID 0x4b
depth 24, visualID 0x4c
depth 24, visualID 0x4d
depth 24, visualID 0x4e
depth 24, visualID 0x4f
depth 24, visualID 0x50
depth 24, visualID 0x51
depth 24, visualID 0x52
depth 24, visualID 0x53
depth 24, visualID 0x54
depth 24, visualID 0x55
depth 24, visualID 0x56
depth 24, visualID 0x57
depth 24, visualID 0x58
depth 24, visualID 0x59
depth 24, visualID 0x5a
depth 24, visualID 0x5b
depth 24, visualID 0x5c
depth 24, visualID 0x5d
depth 24, visualID 0x5e
depth 24, visualID 0x5f
depth 24, visualID 0x60
depth 24, visualID 0x61
depth 24, visualID 0x62
number of attributes: 13
"XV_SET_DEFAULTS" (range 0 to 1)
client settable attribute
"XV_DOUBLE_BUFFER" (range 0 to 1)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 1)
"XV_BRIGHTNESS" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_CONTRAST" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_SATURATION" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_COLOR" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_HUE" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_RED_INTENSITY" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_GREEN_INTENSITY" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_BLUE_INTENSITY" (range -1000 to 1000)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_BLENDING_MODE" (range 0 to 1)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 0)
"XV_CLEAR_BUFFER" (range 0 to 1)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 1)
"XV_OFFSCREEN_RENDER" (range 0 to 1)
client settable attribute
client gettable attribute (current value is 1)
maximum XvImage size: 4096 x 4096
Number of image formats: 3
id: 0x32315659 (YV12)
guid: 59563132-0000-0010-8000-00aa00389b71
bits per pixel: 12
number of planes: 3
type: YUV (planar)
id: 0x30323449 (I420)
guid: 49343230-0000-0010-8000-00aa00389b71
bits per pixel: 12
number of planes: 3
type: YUV (planar)
id: 0x41424752 (RGBA)
guid: 52474241-0000-0010-8000-00aa00389b71
bits per pixel: 32
number of planes: 1
type: RGB (packed)
depth: 32
red, green, blue masks: 0xff, 0xff, 0xff


alan@alan-desktop:~$ glxinfo | grep direct
direct rendering: Yes


alan@alan-desktop:~$ fgl_glxgears
Using GLX_SGIX_pbuffer
alan@alan-desktop:~$ */the cube and gears looked fine/*



My current xorg.conf looks like this:

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies, Inc. ATI Default Card"
# Driver "vesa"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
BusID "PCI:2:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "aticonfig-Device[0]"
Driver "fglrx"
Option "VideoOverlay" "on"
Option "OpenGLOverlay" "off"
EndSection


I've tried all manner of combinations to only have one "Device" section but both appear to be completely neccesary to boot the computer (I love live cds).
I've been thinking about this and my graphics card can have 2 moniters at the same time so maybe Linux is seeing my graphics card as two, or maybe it needs to use one driver per possible screen or controller or something like that.


I installed envy (it doesn't sort out it's own dependancies grr) it makes things easier but installed a slightly older driver than the current, maybe the newest driver doesn't go well with my system or something but it didn't actually do anything different than I've done myself.

I am assuming for now that my card counts as two cards and hopeing the above configuration works. This will require testing and I'll report my findings when that's done.

Has anyone heard of a single graphics card requiring 2 "Device" sections if it is capable of having 2 moniters?

[Thulemanden]

Re: kmix doesn't do anything. Video crashes PC

I have fantastic sound quality but only in stereo, not 5.1 and because it's not using the sub I have zero base.

You could get your bass by using only one of the two upper speakers if you feel bass is more important than stereo.

I have aAudiotrek Maya EX5 with 5.1. I use only one pair of speakers but was able to connect 2 PC's to the box (it's an external 'card') and one set of headphones.

Suggest you look for a similar soundcard-box (USB btw) to hook it all up.

Regarding the ATI driver, have you tried using the proprietary driver from http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html.

The linux embedded is probably a back engineered open source solution and not the original OEM.