I few hours ago I was notified of some updates for openSUSE. I installed them using Apper as I always do, and it included a package called kernel-desktop which may or may not be important. As the update finished, another update notification popped up, this time with more kernel-desktop packages. I tried to install these too, but I was notified that a dependency was not fulfilled, and a long name was shown by the dialogue box that also began with kernel-desktop. I cancelled the update and restarted the PC.
As soon as the PC booted into KDE, Kwin crashed. The taskbar lost transparency, and all windows were very laggy when I tried to move them. Firefox could start, but not Steam, displaying an error box that I can’t recall the message of. I attempted the update again, but the dependency error was still there. I logged out, and tried to change my DE to Enlightenment. This did not even start, crashing immediately and giving me a message and choice of pressing F1 to attempt recovery (which did nothing) or F12 to quit back to the login screen. IceWM worked, but as before Steam refused to start. I have not tried anything else, and I couldn’t find an .rpm to fix the dependency. What happened, and what can I do? This never happened to me and I would really appreciate some help.
Is it possible that you are using a proprietary graphics driver (such as nVidia), and it needs to be reinstalled for the new kernel?
You might prefer to disable Apper, and always use Yast online update. You will probably find that more consistent. In particular, it does a better job of handling dependency problems.
I am indeed using proprietary graphics, but from AMD. Should I check if there are any new versions on their website, or should I outright switch to the FOSS drivers, in your opinion?
Also, how would I go about changing the updater? I’m pretty sure the system used Apper by default.
I haven’t used AMD, but I do have an nVidia system.
Sometimes they just need to be reinstalled. Installing them can mean compiling code, and a new kernel might require that the code be recompiled.
The default setup includes both Apper and a Software Update Notifier. And I think that confuses people.
To prevent Apper from running:
Configure Desktop –> Startup and Shutdown –> Service Manager
then uncheck the box for Apper.
To prevent the Software Update Notifier from running:
Right click on tray, select “System Tray Settings” and uncheck “Software Updater”
In my opinion you should have at most one of those running. Or none at all. On may main desktop, I have disabled both, but I do use Yast online update once or twice a week. On a secondary system, I allow the tray notifier to run, but if it reports dependency problems, then I revert to Yast online update.
Thanks, I’ll download and reinstall the proprietary drivers, if that doesn’t work I’ll try the FOSS drivers, I’ll set YaST Online Update as the default, and then report back with anything that happens. Thanks for the help!
That way it should still work after a kernel update without you having to do anything manually.
Also, how would I go about changing the updater? I’m pretty sure the system used Apper by default.
I would keep Apper.
Otherwise you won’t get notified about updates any more, so you would have to check manually regularly, either in YaST or with “zypper up”.
There are ways to setup automatic installation of updates as well though, look at YaST->Online Update Configuration. (you might have to install the corresponding package, I’m not sure whether it’s installed by default)
On 2014-05-20 20:16, TheBlueGhost wrote:
>
> Thanks, I’ll download and reinstall the proprietary drivers, if that
> doesn’t work I’ll try the FOSS drivers, I’ll set YaST Online Update as
> the default, and then report back with anything that happens. Thanks for
> the help!
Just fire up YOU this time, and tell it to verify dependencies (it is on
one of the menus, IIRC). If it doesn’t find anything to do, consider the
rest.
IMO.
At least that should tell us what the problem with dependencies was.
I have gotten everything working again. I downloaded the proprietary drivers from the openSUSE documentation page, updated drivers, updated Kwin through my package manager, then re-enabled OpenGL compositing. Thanks to all of you for helping!