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?

2

In a terminal type

glxgears

what happens

3

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

339 frames in 5.2 seconds = 64.703 FPS

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?

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.

6

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.

7

You could post the content of

/etc/X11/xorg.conf

8

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

9

Add this to ‘Extensions’ section:

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

10

I get the same error.

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

11

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

Andy

12

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

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.
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