Compiz with ATI Graphic Card and XGL (For Edgy Eft)

This guide just isn't for the Dell Inspiron 1501, it is also for any computer running the ATI drivers. The first seven steps will show you how to properly install the ATI Drivers in Ubuntu.

Compiz does have issues on the Dell Inspiron 1501, opening programs causes the screen to go black and white. It goes away after moving objects on the desktop. So far this is the only issue I've had.

Step 1: Install and Configure the ATI Driver.
Enable Restricted Repository
Go to your System Menu > Administration > Software Sources. Place a check next to "Proprietary drivers for devices (restricted) The Option Highlighted in Red," click Close, click Reload, and let the application update the package list.


Step 2: Update Your System
Open up a Terminal Window, Then:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Step 3: Edit Your xorg.config File

sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Find Section "Extensions" add this lines to the section

Section "Extensions"
Option  "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option  "AIGLX" "off"
EndSection

Step 4: Install Driver
Use Method 2 from the Unofficial ATI Driver Wiki, I couldn't write a better or more straight forward guide.


Step 5: Verifying Proper Installation

fglrxinfo

You should see this:

red@red-laptop:~$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0  screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: RADEON XPRESS Series
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6334 (8.34.8)

Step 6: Setting up XGL

sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl

Step 7: Make an XGL Session

sudo gedit /usr/bin/startxgl.sh

Add this to the text file:

#!/bin/sh
Xgl :1 -fullscreen -ac -accel xv:pbuffer -accel glx:pbuffer &
DISPLAY=:1
cookie="$(xauth -i nextract - :0 | cut -d ' ' -f 9)"
xauth -i add :1 . "$cookie"
dbus-launch --exit-with-session gnome-session

SAVE AND CLOSE
For Different Windows Manager (KDE/XFCE) Check Here

Then make the script executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/startxgl.sh

Step 8: Add XGL Option to the Gnome Login Manager

sudo gedit /usr/share/xsessions/xgl.desktop

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=XGL
Comment=Start an Xgl Session
Exec=/usr/bin/startxgl.sh
Icon=
Type=Application

SAVE AND CLOSE
To log into XGL, logout of your current session, and from the login screen click "Options" and "Session chooser".
Select "Xgl" from the Session menu.
DON'T DO IT NOW, Continue with guide

Step 9: Edit Your Source List
Add the following line to the bottom:

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Add:

deb http://gandalfn.club.fr/ubuntu edgy dev

SAVE AND CLOSE

Download the gpg key:

gpg --keyserver hkp://wwwkeys.eu.pgp.net --recv-keys 0x483170E9 ; gpg --export -a 0x483170E9 | sudo apt-key add -

Step 10: Install Compiz

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install compiz compiz-plugins compiz-extra compiz-extra-plugins compiz-extra-gnome gnome-compiz-manager

Optional But Recommended:
Download the Compiz Settings Manager, gives you complete control over Compiz settings.

Last:
Turn off gtk-window-decorator, if not Compiz tries to load even when not in XGL session.
Go to "System>Preferences>Sessions"
Click gtk-window-decorator (Highlighted in red) and click the disable button

edited by pHreaksYcle