Unable to turn on desktop effects in KDE 4.1.3

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1

I just installed KDE 4.1.3 and went to “Configure Desktop” and tried to
turn on desktop effects but I got the error:

> Failed to activate desktop effects using the given configuration
> options. Settings will be reverted to their previous values.
>
> Check your X configuration. You may also consider changing advanced
> options, especially changing the compositing type.

How do I fix this? Where do I change the configuration setting that is
not allowing this?

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6tr6tr

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2

In a terminal type

glxgears

what happens

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Box: Linux 2.6.25.18-0.2 x86_64 | OS 11.0 | (KDE4.1.81) “1.1” | M2N4-SLI
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3

I see a window with three gears turning (very slowly) and it prints:

>
> 339 frames in 5.2 seconds = 64.703 FPS
>

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6tr6tr

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4

A couple of questions: What video card do you have, and have you
properly installed the drivers? Did you have the effects working
properly in a previous KDE 4.x desktop?

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5

You could try either

  1. Create a completely new user and see what happens

or

  1. Try a re-name of the hidden .kde4 folder (.kde4old) and re-login
    (Ctrl-Alt-Backspace)

see what happens

you will have lost all your settings, it will be like a totally new
kde4 session.

–
Box: Linux 2.6.25.18-0.2 x86_64 | OS 11.0 | (KDE4.1.81) “1.1” | M2N4-SLI
| AMD 64 X2 5200+ | nVidia 8500GT | 2GB RAM
Lap: OS 11.0 | Celeron 550 | (KDE 4.1.81 “release 1.1” | Intel 965 GM |
Lenovo R61e | 1GB RAM

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6

Wrath5000;1903638 Wrote:
> A couple of questions: What video card do you have, and have you
> properly installed the drivers? Did you have the effects working
> properly in a previous KDE 4.x desktop?

Video Card: ATI Technologies Inc. Mach64 GR
Driver: ati

I’ve never tried effects before, so unfortunately, i’m not sure if it
worked before.

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6tr6tr

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7

You could post the content of

/etc/X11/xorg.conf

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Box: Linux 2.6.25.18-0.2 x86_64 | OS 11.0 | (KDE4.1.81) “1.1” | M2N4-SLI
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8

caf4926;1903656 Wrote:
> You could post the content of
>
> /etc/X11/xorg.conf

I removed the fonts to make it shorter.

>
> Section “Files”
> …all fonts were here…
> InputDevices “/dev/gpmdata”
> InputDevices “/dev/input/mice”
> EndSection
>
> Section “ServerFlags”
> Option “AllowMouseOpenFail” “on”
> Option “ZapWarning” “on”
> EndSection
>
> Section “Module”
> Load “glx”
> Load “type1”
> Load “extmod”
> Load “dbe”
> Load “freetype”
> EndSection
>
> Section “InputDevice”
> Driver “kbd”
> Identifier “Keyboard[0]”
> Option “Protocol” “Standard”
> Option “XkbLayout” “us”
> Option “XkbModel” “microsoftpro”
> Option “XkbRules” “xfree86”
> EndSection
>
>
> Section “InputDevice”
> Driver “mouse”
> Identifier “Mouse[1]”
> Option “Buttons” “9”
> Option “Device” “/dev/input/mice”
> Option “Name” “ImExPS/2 Generic Explorer Mouse”
> Option “Protocol” “explorerps/2”
> Option “Vendor” “Sysp”
> Option “ZAxisMapping” “4 5”
> EndSection
>
>
> Section “Monitor”
> DisplaySize 304 228
> HorizSync 30-60
> Identifier “Monitor[0]”
> ModelName “HP HP F50”
> Option “DPMS”
> Option “PreferredMode” “1024x768”
> VendorName “HWP”
> VertRefresh 43-75
> UseModes “Modes[0]”
> EndSection
>
>
> Section “Modes”
> Identifier “Modes[0]”
> EndSection
>
>
> Section “Screen”
> DefaultDepth 24
> SubSection “Display”
> Depth 15
> Modes “1024x768” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
> EndSubSection
> SubSection “Display”
> Depth 16
> Modes “1024x768” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
> EndSubSection
> SubSection “Display”
> Depth 24
> Modes “1024x768” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
> EndSubSection
> SubSection “Display”
> Depth 8
> Modes “1024x768” “1024x600” “800x600” “768x576” “640x480”
> EndSubSection
> Device “Device[0]”
> Identifier “Screen[0]”
> Monitor “Monitor[0]”
> EndSection
>
>
> Section “Device”
> BoardName “Mach64 GR”
> BusID “0:14:0”
> Driver “ati”
> Identifier “Device[0]”
> Option “XaaNoPixmapCache” “on”
> Screen 0
> VendorName “ATI”
> EndSection
>
>
>
> Section “ServerLayout”
> Identifier “Layout[all]”
> InputDevice “Keyboard[0]” “CoreKeyboard”
> InputDevice “Mouse[1]” “CorePointer”
> Option “Clone” “off”
> Option “Xinerama” “off”
> Screen “Screen[0]”
> EndSection
>
>
> Section “DRI”
> Group “video”
> Mode 0660
> EndSection
>
> Section “Extensions”
> EndSection
>

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9

Add this to ‘Extensions’ section:

> Section “Extensions”
> Option “Composite” “on”
> EndSection

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10

deano_ferrari;1903674 Wrote:
> Add this to ‘Extensions’ section:

I get the same error.

(This was after making the change and then logging out and logging back
in)

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11

IIRC,the MACH64 is an old card, try using the radeon drivers,you may get
a better result

Andy

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12

deltaflyer44;1903680 Wrote:
> IIRC,the MACH64 is an old card, try using the radeon drivers,you may get
> a better result
>
> Andy

Sorry to be such a newbie but…how do I do that?

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13

I tend to agree with Andy about the age of this card. It wouldn’t be
that expensive to get a replacement $ or £ it could be worth looking at.
And maybe even consider nVidia. Check the HCL - it may give you some
ideas.
‘Hardware - openSUSE’ (http://en.opensuse.org/Hardware)

–
Box: Linux 2.6.25.18-0.2 x86_64 | OS 11.0 | (KDE4.1.81) “1.1” | M2N4-SLI
| AMD 64 X2 5200+ | nVidia 8500GT | 2GB RAM
Lap: OS 11.0 | Celeron 550 | (KDE 4.1.81 “release 1.1” | Intel 965 GM |
Lenovo R61e | 1GB RAM

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