Just mucking about at work again.
So I’ve ruled out AIGLX/Beryl on my work PC, because the proprietary drivers don’t have a particular extension to use AIGLX. However I can still try XGL/Beryl now that I have the fglrx drivers working.
Setting up XGL and Beryl follows almost the same steps I used on my home PC, which uses an NVIDIA card.
The installation of the XGL X server package and Beryl is the same, the only difference between using ATI and NVIDIA, is the XGL options used in the startxgl.sh script. This is the modified script I use for XGL and Beryl (ATI)
#!/bin/sh
Xgl -fullscreen :1 -ac -br -accel glx:pbuffer -accel xv:pbuffer &
sleep 4
export DISPLAY=:1
beryl-manager
exec xfce4-session
The first time I started the XGL session, Beryl was acting all weird, the window decorations were flashing on and off. I just killed the process, and started the beryl-manager again, then things were fine.
I’m actually surprised how well it runs on my PC, I didn’t think the video card (ATI R300) would be up to it.
Nice, so now I have eye candy both at home and at work.
This is the exact thing I’m trying to do, but I’m wondering what your screen resolution is. I’m running 2 20″ Dell LCDs, with a combined resolution of 3360×1050. I know that most GL apps don’t run across both screens (my GL screensavers cut off about 1/3 of the 2nd screen). If you’re not running that large, would you happen to know where I can find out what AGP cards will push Beryl at a resolution that large?
Thanks, and great write-up!
jv
I only have one LCD - 1280×1024. I had recently been considering buying a second LCD so I could run a two-headed system, but haven’t got around to it.
What setup do you have? ATI and XGL? Xinerama/Twinview?
I feel like I have read somewhere that either Beryl or XGL and Xinerama don’t work together.
Ha! That’s pretty vague, sorry!
… It seems like people have Beryl and two-headed systems working, just with Twinview (NVIDIA only IIRC)
Youtube - AIGLX / 3D Desktop / Beryl / Twinview on Ubuntu Edgy Eft
Beryl Forum - Dapper + NVidia + Twinview + XGL + Beryl
Maybe it’s just XGL and Xinerama?
Good Luck!
Well, I currently only have ATI running 3D accelerated… no Beryl or XGL stuff. I have tried it before, but it would only give me a 4″ x 4″ window of Beryl goodness. But, that was a while back. Since then, I’ve read that my 9800SE can only push 3D up to 2560×2560 or something similar… just shy of my resolution. So, no Beryl for me until I upgrade my rig. And, believe me, I’ll be going with Nvidia next time! Thanks for the post, though!
That’s a pity. Beryl on two LCD s would be fantastic!
Yes, definitely go NVIDIA next time, it’s very frustrating how ATI lags behind.
Hi there
I bought a new desktop PC and was very upset to find I could out there are many complications if you’re using an ATI card, especially a new one.
I have a Radeon X1300 Pro and am running Kubuntu Edgy. Is it worth me attemping to run XGL and Beryl?
The above message should read:
Hi there
I bought a new desktop PC and was very upset to find out there are many complications if you’re using an ATI card, especially a new one.
I have a Radeon X1300 Pro and am running Kubuntu Edgy. Is it worth me attemping to run XGL and Beryl?
Sorry for the typo.
If you are doing fresh install of Gutsy
1. Enable fgrlx driver.
Install linux-restricted-modules and restricted-manager provied in the restricted repositories:
Code:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install linux-restricted-modules-generic restricted-manager
Open the restricted drivers manager in “System -> Administration -> Restricted Drivers Manager” and select “ATI accelerated graphics driver”.
2. Install xserver-xgl package
Code:
sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl
3. Install compiz
Code:
sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager compiz compiz-core compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-fusion-plugins-extra compiz-gnome compiz-plugins libcompizconfig-backend-gconf libcompizconfig0
4. Reboot
5. Log in. 3D effects should be enabled!
6. Customize Compiz Fusion.
Select System → Preferences → Advanced Desktop Effects Settings
In the new window, General Options → Desktop Size → Horizontal Virtual Size. Set it to 4.
The other two options have to be left at 1.
REbooot