Ubuntu

Slow with many windows

Asked by fa2k

I have lots of windows open on different desktops (about 30). Some window management operations are very slow. Increasing the size of a Gnome Terminal window hangs for about 3 seconds. I can move the outline around without problem, but when I release it, it hangs. Scrolling in a Gnome Terminal is also slow. Maximising any window hangs for between 1 and 6 seconds.

The system is not overloaded; neither the CPU or memory is anywhere near maxed out. The graphics card is an NVidia NVS 3100M with 256 MB memory.

I have Compiz enabled, and I'm using the proprietary Nvidia driver.

Hope you can help.

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fa2k
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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

If you disable compiz, is it better?

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fa2k (pmb) said : 		#2

I just tested, there is no problem when compiz is disabled.

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#3

Sounds like a compiz bug then. If you reduce plugins is compiz friendlier or does it not make a difference if you have more / less plugins enabled?

What is the output of:

lsb_release -a

Thanks

Revision history for this message
fa2k (pmb) said : 		#4

Thanks a lot for the troubleshooting help, sorry I didn't think of that.

I reduced the plugins to the default "Normal" effects and it got
better, but I still have the problem when increasing the size of a
window to full screen. Gnome Terminal seems to be worse than other
programs (maybe because of the transparency), but scrolling is fine with
less plug-ins. Before I was using the Cube effect, and a plug-in that
would make windows transparent.

(For now, I will just disable Compiz as a work-around )

Cheers,
Marius

On 21/09/10 14:02, actionparsnip wrote:
> Your question #126262 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/126262
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> actionparsnip requested for more information:
> Sounds like a compiz bug then. If you reduce plugins is compiz
> friendlier or does it not make a difference if you have more / less
> plugins enabled?
>
> What is the output of:
>
> lsb_release -a
>
> Thanks
>

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#5

I'd check your nvidia settings. How much system RAM does your PC have?

Revision history for this message
fa2k (pmb) said : 		#6

The effect seems to be a lot worse when I'm running an OpenGL-based data
visualisation program (Panoramix), and it's not very noticeable
otherwise. So it may be the graphics card that is overloaded.

I am using a laptop with both the laptop screen at 1440x900 an an
external monitor at 1650x1050. Nvidia settigs file is attached. I have
enabled some "digital vibrance" on the laptop monitor.

I have 4 GB of RAM. According to the Gnome System Monitor, I'm using 2.3
GB right now. The video memory is not shared.

Cheers,
Marius

On 21/09/10 14:31, actionparsnip wrote:
> Your question #126262 on Ubuntu changed:
> https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/126262
>
> Status: Open => Needs information
>
> actionparsnip requested for more information:
> I'd check your nvidia settings. How much system RAM does your PC have?
>

Revision history for this message
fa2k (pmb) said : 		#7

I am willing to mark it as resolved, unless anyone has any suggestions....

Revision history for this message
fa2k (pmb) said : 		#8

Disable compiz