How can Desktop Effects be such a dilemma? Here's the story so far...

[airblay]

After setting up a few computers with Kubuntu, I installed kde on my son's computer as well. After it was installed we noticed that the Desktop Effects were a very diminished list of choices. The same install image was used on many computers, so I thought to check the live image. I booted both with the same image and on my computer effects list was sufficient but on my son's computer a short list. I tried Neptune install image....same thing happens. My son's computer is new, 8core cpu,16gb ram 3.3ghz 8gb vram. Why would a computer like that not run effects? Well, that's my dilemma. Any suggestions or questions....I'm all ears. Thank you

[claydoh]

Which video card?
If it is from NVIDIA, you may need the proprietary drivers for full support.
If the hardware is bleeding-new, it may need a more bleeding-edge kernels and driver stack than a normal stable-type distro usually provides out of the box.

Also, it can be that Plasma mis-detected the capabilities, and disabled some.
In the effects settings area, to the right of the search bar, there will be a filter button. Click that and un-check the two options there to reveal all of them.

[airblay]

Well, you learn something new every day....I got to thank you big time. That was the answer. I unchecked the filtered and then the effects were accessible. I'm glad it wasn't the video card....so, Why would that particular computer be filtered from seeing the available effects I wonder. Using 2 jump drives one Kubuntu and the other Neptune, Live boot showed the same. Installed showed the same as well. Is it a KDE thing I wonder as well, just curious. Thanks again

[airblay]

oops, I spoke too fast! The filter says unsupported. All I saw was the effects that were not supported, like magic lamp, realized that the first suggestion is usually the right one. Now, all I need is to figure out the .run file for the previously downloaded driver. Honestly, I don't mean to be a pain. I've been running Linux for 10 years, I should know better but I'm old. Thanks for the help.

[Schwarzer Kater]

[…]Now, all I need is to figure out the .run file for the previously downloaded driver.[…]

… driver …?

CPU make and model?
GPU make and model?
Kubuntu version?
Plasma version?
etc. ?

claydoh already gave good, general advice - but it is really hard to understand your computer situation and/or steps to solve your problem without more information…

[airblay]

Yes, there is a driver file for his particular graphics card. It is a .run file and I just have to figure out how that works to install it, then I'm home free. Thank you for your interest.

[claydoh]

and the other Neptune,

neptune?
Don't assume we all know what this is

[claydoh]

Yes, there is a driver file for his particular graphics card. It is a .run file and I just have to figure out how that works to install it, then I'm home free. Thank you for your interest.

There very likely are easily installable system packages for this. I am assuming you have Nvidia.
Don't use the ,run file, unless you like a challenge, and also like pain
There is still a Driver Manager to automatically select and install appropriate drivers, but to you need to look for it, in Discover's settings or Muon's menus via the Software Sources option.
Knowing the GPU can help us tell how much of a pain this might be, if the system is hyper-new, etc.

[airblay]

Neptune is another KDE distro but based on Debian. Yes, the video card is nvidia. The .run file for the driver just has to be made executable and it will install when done. It is the driver from the manufacturer. This driver is not available in the repository.
I want to thank you all for your help...I have been through this procedure before, and all I needed was this conversation to bring it back to me. I'm in my 60's, I tend to forget too often these days.

[claydoh]

This driver is not available in the repository.

That sounds wrong. Ubuntu always has pretty much the latest driver versions for Nvidia, or very close. Even in the LTS.
Look at the driver manager.
The .run file is a pain. And you need to reinstall with every kernel update, or most of them.
If the card is *that * new, there are addon PPAs that provide more current versions.

[airblay]

I already have the file, I'll do it one way and if that isn't successful then I try a different way. I have a .run file for my wife's printer that I need to contend with as well. Ever have to do something when you really don't feel like doing it?

[claydoh]

For Nvidia, undoing the .run can leave a mess behind, but that does not seem to to a common issue these days.
Just pointing out that there are well-supported, easier, and overall superior methods for this sort of thing.

But they are less fun, if you will

Same for whatever printer driver file you have.

[airblay]

It's all fun. I like Linux for the freedom to run whatever OS you choose or change your OS at a whim. It seems though at the moment and in the foreseeable future Kubuntu is my daily driver. I got to say one thing.....All Linux distros are beautiful, there are just some I don't prefer. Kubuntu fits my needs. Will I stop distro hopping? Not on your life....I'm having too much fun. Deal with the "pains" and then move on.....

[airblay]

Update!
After much trial and error, I learned that my problems was from lack of a driver. I installed the driver for my wife's computer and printer and had success. I replayed the same procedure for a couple more times to assure myself that I now have the procedure correct. I did. So, on to the video card driver installation. Linux isn't easy.