Ubuntu
compiz package

Enabling desktop effects causes titlebar to vanish

Asked by Daniel Silverstone

When I enable desktop effects from the system menu, I get the wobbly windows etc, but all window decoration vanishes.

The process listing says that gtk-window-decorator is running, which I thought was meant to provide the titlebar, window sides etc. but they do not appear.

I can move the windows around by holding down alt and dragging the window body, I just don't get any decoration.

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Ubuntu compiz Edit question
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Solved by:
Chris Rowson
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Revision history for this message
Chris Rowson (christopherrowson) said : 		#1

Hi there,

Could you copy and paste the contents of your xorg.conf file please. You'll find it here:

/etc/X11/xorg.conf

Revision history for this message
Daniel Silverstone (dsilvers) said : 		#2

Sure, here it is...

petitemort% cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf ~
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "Files"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
        FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
        FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc"
        # path to defoma fonts
        FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection

Section "Module"
        Load "bitmap"
        Load "ddc"
        Load "dri"
        Load "extmod"
        Load "freetype"
        Load "glx"
        Load "int10"
        Load "type1"
        Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
        Driver "kbd"
        Option "CoreKeyboard"
        Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
        Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
        Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
        Option "XkbOptions" "lv3:ralt_switch"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
        Identifier "Configured Mouse"
        Driver "mouse"
        Option "CorePointer"
        Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
        Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
        Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
  Driver "wacom"
  Identifier "stylus"
  Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
                                                      # /dev/input/event
                                                      # for USB
  Option "Type" "stylus"
  Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
  Driver "wacom"
  Identifier "eraser"
  Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
                                                      # /dev/input/event
                                                      # for USB
  Option "Type" "eraser"
  Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
  Driver "wacom"
  Identifier "cursor"
  Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
                                                      # /dev/input/event
                                                      # for USB
  Option "Type" "cursor"
  Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Device"
        Identifier "NVIDIA Corporation NV18 [GeForce4 MX 440 AGP 8x]"
        Driver "nvidia"
        BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier "Generic Monitor"
        Option "DPMS"
        HorizSync 28-64
        VertRefresh 43-60
EndSection

Section "Screen"
        Identifier "Default Screen"
        Device "NVIDIA Corporation NV18 [GeForce4 MX 440 AGP 8x]"
        Monitor "Generic Monitor"
        DefaultDepth 24
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 1
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 4
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 8
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 15
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 16
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
        SubSection "Display"
                Depth 24
                Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
        Identifier "Default Layout"
        Screen "Default Screen"
        InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
        InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
        InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
        InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
        InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
        Mode 0666
EndSection

Revision history for this message
Best Chris Rowson (christopherrowson) said : 		#3

First of all, MAKE A BACKUP of your xorg.conf file:

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup

Then open up your current xorg.conf file for editing

sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Using the up and down keys find this section:

Section "Device"
        Identifier "NVIDIA Corporation NV18 [GeForce4 MX 440 AGP 8x]"
        Driver "nvidia"
        BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Add the following lines to it:

    Option "AddARGBVisuals" "True"
    Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
    Option "NoLogo" "True"

So it now reads:

Section "Device"
        Identifier "NVIDIA Corporation NV18 [GeForce4 MX 440 AGP 8x]"
        Driver "nvidia"
        BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
        Option "AddARGBVisuals" "True"
        Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
        Option "NoLogo" "True"
EndSection

Press CTRL + O to save.

Restart

If anything goes wrong (like you accidently miskey the code) and you can't get gnome back up properly, you can always boot from recover mode to the command line and restore your original file by doing this.

rm /etc/X11/xorg.conf
cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup /etc/X11/xorg.conf

This should sort you out.

Revision history for this message
Daniel Silverstone (dsilvers) said : 		#4

Thanks Chris Rowson, that solved my question.

Revision history for this message
superduty455 (mjean) said : 		#5

Hello

Would this solution also work with a Nvidia FX 5200 ?
I have a similar problem. When Desktop Effects are enabled the wobble, and title bar disappear. Windows become attached to the panel.

Revision history for this message
Serge (s-stalp) said : 		#6

I had the same problem with my nVidia GeForce 6200 using Gutsy, and this solution works fine.

Revision history for this message
Benjamin Redelings (benjamin-redelings) said : 		#7

I finally got this working. I had to do three things:

1. Remove .gconf/apps/compiz
    This gets regenerated, and turns on the 'decoration' plugin. You could do this with gconf-editor instead, but letter it get regenerated is better because there are some other plugins that must be enabled also, such as the 'move' plugin.

2. Add the following lines to the "Device" section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf
    Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
    Option "DisableGLXRootClipping" "True"
    Option "NoLogo" "True"

3. Set the default depth to 24 in the "Screen" section
    DefaultDepth 24

Then I got window decorations. However,

Revision history for this message
Keith Morris (kjm87) said : 		#8

I am having the same problem.
However it only happens with Screen1

Here is my xorg.conf file.
# nvidia-settings: X configuration file generated by nvidia-settings
# nvidia-settings: version 1.0 (buildmeister@builder3) Wed Sep 12 14:30:30 PDT 2007

# xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "ServerLayout"

 # Uncomment if you have a wacom tablet
 # InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
 # InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
 # InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
    Identifier "Default Layout"
    Screen 0 "Screen0" RightOf "Screen1"
    Screen 1 "Screen1" 0 0
    InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
    InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
EndSection

Section "Files"
EndSection

Section "Module"
    Load "glx"
    Load "v4l"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"

    Option "Xinerama" "0"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
    Driver "kbd"
    Option "CoreKeyboard"
    Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
    Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
    Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "Configured Mouse"
    Driver "mouse"
    Option "CorePointer"
    Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
    Option "Protocol" "ImPS/2"
    Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
    Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "stylus"
    Driver "wacom"
    Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
    Option "Type" "stylus"
    Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "eraser"
    Driver "wacom"
    Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
    Option "Type" "eraser"
    Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "cursor"
    Driver "wacom"
    Option "Device" "/dev/input/wacom"
    Option "Type" "cursor"
    Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4"# Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "Generic Monitor"
    VendorName "Plug 'n' Play"
    ModelName "Plug 'n' Play"
    Gamma 1
    ModeLine "800x600@56" 36.0 800 824 896 1024 600 601 603 625 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "800x600@72" 50.0 800 856 976 1040 600 637 643 666 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "800x600@75" 49.5 800 816 896 1056 600 601 604 625 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "800x600@60" 40.0 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1152x768@54" 65.0 1152 1178 1314 1472 768 771 777 806 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x854" 80.0 1280 1309 1460 1636 854 857 864 896 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x768@60" 80.1 1280 1344 1480 1680 768 769 772 795 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x720@60" 74.5 1280 1336 1472 1664 720 721 724 746 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x800@75" 107.2 1280 1360 1496 1712 800 801 804 835 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x768@75" 103.0 1280 1360 1496 1712 768 769 772 802 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x720@50" 60.5 1280 1328 1456 1632 720 721 724 741 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x800@60" 83.5 1280 1344 1480 1680 800 801 804 828 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1440x900@75" 136.5 1440 1536 1688 1936 900 901 904 940 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1440x900@60" 106.5 1440 1520 1672 1904 900 901 904 932 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1600x1024@60" 136.4 1600 1704 1872 2144 1024 1025 1028 1060 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1680x1050@60" 147.1 1680 1784 1968 2256 1050 1051 1054 1087 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1680x1050@75" 188.1 1680 1800 1984 2288 1050 1051 1054 1096 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1920x1200@60" 193.2 1920 2048 2256 2592 1200 1201 1204 1242 -hsync +vsync
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "Monitor0"
    VendorName "Unknown"
    ModelName "ViewSonic VA2026w"
    HorizSync 30.0 - 82.0
    VertRefresh 50.0 - 75.0
    Gamma 1
    ModeLine "640x480@60" 25.2 640 656 752 800 480 490 492 525 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "640x480@72" 31.5 640 664 704 832 480 489 491 520 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "640x480@75" 31.5 640 656 720 840 480 481 484 500 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "800x600@56" 36.0 800 824 896 1024 600 601 603 625 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "800x600@72" 50.0 800 856 976 1040 600 637 643 666 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "800x600@75" 49.5 800 816 896 1056 600 601 604 625 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "800x600@60" 40.0 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "832x624@75" 57.3 832 864 928 1152 624 625 628 667 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "1024x768@75" 78.8 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1024x768@70" 75.0 1024 1048 1184 1328 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "1024x768@60" 65.0 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "1152x864@75" 108.0 1152 1216 1344 1600 864 865 868 900 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x1024@75" 135.0 1280 1296 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x960@60" 102.1 1280 1360 1496 1712 960 961 964 994 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x1024@60" 108.0 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x960@75" 129.9 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1002 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1400x1050@60" 122.6 1400 1488 1640 1880 1050 1051 1054 1087 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1400x1050@75" 155.8 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1096 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1600x1200@65" 175.5 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1600x1200@60" 162.0 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier "Monitor1"
    VendorName "Unknown"
    ModelName "ViewSonic VA2026w"
    HorizSync 30.0 - 82.0
    VertRefresh 50.0 - 75.0
    Gamma 1
    ModeLine "640x480@60" 25.2 640 656 752 800 480 490 492 525 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "640x480@72" 31.5 640 664 704 832 480 489 491 520 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "640x480@75" 31.5 640 656 720 840 480 481 484 500 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "800x600@56" 36.0 800 824 896 1024 600 601 603 625 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "800x600@72" 50.0 800 856 976 1040 600 637 643 666 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "800x600@75" 49.5 800 816 896 1056 600 601 604 625 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "800x600@60" 40.0 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "832x624@75" 57.3 832 864 928 1152 624 625 628 667 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "1024x768@75" 78.8 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1024x768@70" 75.0 1024 1048 1184 1328 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "1024x768@60" 65.0 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync
    ModeLine "1152x864@75" 108.0 1152 1216 1344 1600 864 865 868 900 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x1024@75" 135.0 1280 1296 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x960@60" 102.1 1280 1360 1496 1712 960 961 964 994 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x1024@60" 108.0 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1280x960@75" 129.9 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1002 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1400x1050@60" 122.6 1400 1488 1640 1880 1050 1051 1054 1087 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1400x1050@75" 155.8 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1096 -hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1600x1200@65" 175.5 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
    ModeLine "1600x1200@60" 162.0 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "nVidia Corporation G80 [GeForce 8400 GS]"
    Driver "nvidia"
    VendorName "NVIDIA"
    BoardName "NVIDIA GeForce"
    Option "AddARGBVisuals" "True"
    Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
    Option "DisableGLXRootClipping" "True"
    Option "NoLogo" "True"
    BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
    Screen 0
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "Videocard0"
    Driver "nvidia"
    VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
    BoardName "GeForce 8400 GS"
    BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
    Screen 0
    Option "AddARGBVisuals" "True"
    Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
    Option "DisableGLXRootClipping" "True"
    Option "NoLogo" "True"
EndSection

Section "Device"
    Identifier "Videocard1"
    Driver "nvidia"
    VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
    BoardName "GeForce 8400 GS"
    BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
    Screen 1
    Option "AddARGBVisuals" "True"
    Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
    Option "DisableGLXRootClipping" "True"
    Option "NoLogo" "True"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier "Default Screen"
    Device "nVidia Corporation G80 [GeForce 8400 GS]"
    Monitor "Generic Monitor"
    DefaultDepth 24
    SubSection "Display"
        Virtual 1920 1200
        Depth 24
        Modes "1680x1050@60" "1680x1050@75" "1600x1024@60" "1920x1200@60" "1440x900@60" "1440x900@75" "1280x800@60" "1280x720@50" "1280x768@75" "1280x800@75" "1280x720@60" "1280x768@60" "1280x854" "1152x768@54" "800x600@60" "800x600@75" "800x600@72" "800x600@56"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"

    Identifier "Screen0"
    Device "Videocard0"
    Monitor "Monitor0"
    DefaultDepth 24
    Option "TwinView" "0"
    Option "metamodes" "DFP: nvidia-auto-select +0+0; DFP: 1680x1050 +0+0"
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth 24
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Screen"

    Identifier "Screen1"
    Device "Videocard1"
    Monitor "Monitor1"
    DefaultDepth 24
    Option "TwinView" "0"
    Option "metamodes" "CRT: nvidia-auto-select +0+0"
    SubSection "Display"
        Depth 24
    EndSubSection
EndSection

Revision history for this message
Repetitious (neonlunette) said : 		#9

I was having the same problem with Intrepid, no matter which driver I used. Chris Rowson's solution worked for me, thanks!