Ubuntu

Slow computer Ubuntu 14.04 LTS due to compiz process?

Asked by Kalle

I have recently installed Ubuntu 14.04 LTS. It worked wonderfully at first, but then it started to be extremely slow to open and close new windows. The system monitor showed that the processor ran at around 100% although I was doing basically nothing. In normal case the computer should have been idle. The "Compiz" process took up around 40% of the processor power.

The problem started a while after I had connected an external monitor. First it worked wonderfully, but after a while the problems started. Maybe there is some problem with compiz that arises when one uses an external monitor. Maybe compiz has a bug that is triggered when the graphics-processor sending data to an external monitor.

The problem did not disappear immediately when I deselected the external monitor. I restarted but it was still there, but when I started the computer today it worked OK. I do not dare to connect the external monitor again because I do not want to be stuck with the same problem again. I have a Dell U2311H with 1920 × 1080 pixels, while the laptop has 1280 × 800 pixels.

I do not need any fancy, beautiful windows or flaschy effects. The less computer power needed for visualization of windows, the better. I do not want transparent effects.

Computer: Acer TravelMate5520
RAM: 4 GB
Processor: AMD Turion 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-60 × 2
Graphics: Gallium 0.4 on ATI RS690
OS: 64-bit

I am trying Linux and Ubuntu for the first time. I thought it might be worth going over to Ubunto, because Windows does not support their own systems for very long. What I am afraid of now is that Ubuntu is not a very stable and reliable operative system. Is this problem something that one can expect to be solved soon?

P.S. I also have trouble to disable Bluetooth. It comes again everytime I start up the computer, although I inactivate it in the system settings.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#1

If you install gnome-shell then log off and log in to the new Gnome shell session on the login page is it ok?

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Kalle (jessica-2) said : 		#2

I installed the Gnome Shell [note 1]. I logged out, but dit not get an alternative option in the login screen to log in to Gnome instead. I restarted the computer, but then I get a screen that I can not read. It seems to be a sort of login screen, but the graphics are "destroyed". One can see some text, but one can not descipher the letters properly.

I am locked out of my computer now. I probably have to reinstall everything, but I do not know if it is worth it.

Note 1: I had a problem when I installed the Gnome Shell. The installation process halted at 50% of completion. As nothing happened I stopped the process, and reinstalled the Gnome Shell.

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Kalle (jessica-2) said : 		#3

Is there any way to edit a comment here or to delete it? If one has made an error in the text or selected the wrong category.

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Kalle (jessica-2) said : 		#4

I should have selected "I'am providing more information" for the messages above. Instead I do it now.

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Sampsa Riikonen (sampsa-riikonen) said : 		#5

Hello,

I have come across the same problem in 14.04..

I have a laptop (acer emachines "nettop"), which I connect to an external monitor.
The following two cases show different behaviour:

1) Connect the monitor AFTER booting up the computer and after logging in

Everything works fine. When connecting the monitor, gnome remembers the old settings, shuts down
the laptop's own monitor and sends the image to the external monitor. Everything goes smoothly.

2) Connect the monitor BEFORE booting up the computer and loggin in

Everything seems to be fine at first .. again, everything appears in the external monitor..

.. but now, it is painstakingly slow! Compiz animations are like from a slow-motion movie.

"top" command shows compiz hogging up all the resources.

Everything could work 100% perfectly and beautifully, but some small bug renders everything useless. Well.. being
a long-time linux user, I have gotten used to this.. ;)

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Sampsa Riikonen (sampsa-riikonen) said : 		#6

Hi Again,

I linked this to the bug "dual screen greeter can break .." (see linked bugs). It is the same thing.

The possible solutions are (before the bug gets fixed):

1) Connect the second monitor, AFTER booting up and logging in

2) If you want to use the laptop with an external screen only and keep the native screen shut (like in my case), you must give this as a boot parameter. In order to do this, edit your "/etc/defaults/grub" file:

...
GRUB_DEFAULT=0
# GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=0
GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=true
GRUB_TIMEOUT=5
GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR=`lsb_release -i -s 2> /dev/null || echo Debian`
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash video=LVDS-1:d"
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=""
...

then run "sudo update-grub"

the important thing is to comment grub_hidden_timeout and add video=LVDS-1:d

Now ubuntu boots directly into using the external screen only. In the grub starting screen, you
can edit boot options if you want to use the native LVDS screen instead.

See more info here:

http://superuser.com/questions/636617/disabling-laptop-monitor-on-boot

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