Ubuntu
xserver-xorg-video-ati package

Problem with display and scrolling

Asked by Paul D

Hello!

I have been using Ubuntu 9.04 since April and I have never had this problem before. Whenever I'm trying to scroll a page in anything, the content is literally moving down in 'frames', just like shots in old films. It's really hard to explain. It moves something like in 'waves'. It's in everything: Evolution, Internet Browsers etc. Whenever I log out and then login again, it stops and soon it starts again.
I tried to access ATI control centre, but it doesn't load. And if I want to change the user, there's a pop-up:

'The graphical interface did not properly start, which is needed for graphical logins. It is likely that the X Window System or GDM is not properly configured. The X server failed to finish starting. 3 X failed'

I think this could have something to do with it. I tried running the command 'sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg', but instead of giving me a list of drivers to choose from, it offers me to set-up my keyboard.
Is there some sort of command to perhaps scan the system for errors or something?
Please help. This problem is making the computer almost unusable.

Thanks a lot in Advance,

Paul

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Ubuntu xserver-xorg-video-ati Edit question
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Sam_
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Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#1

#1
At first glance you can try to disable visual effects, in order to get back normal behaviour.
system preferences -> appearance -> visual effects = None

#2
Check system administration -> hardware drivers
Maybe an update screwed up driver configuration or it may need to update the driver.
Try CLI:
sudo aticonfig

#3
Take a look in logfiles, such as Xorg.0.log
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LinuxLogFiles

CLI:
grep EE /var/log/Xorg.0.log
grep WW /var/log/Xorg.0.log

and
.xsession-errors (hidden file in your /home/user)
after reproducing the issue search within the file for related errors.

#4
The command you've issued doesn't apply anymore since automated configuration.
In case you still have a xorg.conf you may post the content.
CLI:
cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Video card information:
sudo lshw -C video

Video driver information:
lsmod | egrep -i "radeon|ati|fglrx"

Reference:
http://library.gnome.org/users/gnome-terminal/stable/gnome-terminal-get-started.html.en
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/UsingTheTerminal
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo#Usage
https://help.ubuntu.com/9.04/basic-commands/C/

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Video
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Troubleshooting/

Example of tracing ATI issue:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/yelp/+question/100395

Revision history for this message
Paul D (pavster) said : 		#2

Thank You very much for your reply!

 After posting this question, I have new problem which probably arose from the same graphics errors: now my DVI output of my graphics card doesn't work at all. After the Ubuntu logo appears, My monitor says that there's no more sigmal from DVI input.
I tried VGA out on graphics card and it works, but with a really bad resolution.
I used the command that you have advised me above (sudo lshw -C video) and the output is:

description: VGA compatible controller
       product: RV730XT [Radeon HD 4670]
       vendor: ATI Technologies Inc
       physical id: 0
       bus info: pci@0000:01:00.0
       version: 00
       width: 64 bits
       clock: 33MHz
       capabilities: pm pciexpress msi bus_master cap_list
       configuration: latency=0

My monitor model is NEC EA190M with max resolution: 1280 x 1024 / 60 Hz. I used to Linux running full resolution before this problem started. Should I try download and re-install the graphics driver? I got it from ATI's website under Radeon 4600 series.
I also found the Xlog file and there are many fails and errors.
Should I try to re-install the system or is there still a chance to fix it?

Thanks:)

Paul

Revision history for this message
Best Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#3

> no more sigmal from DVI
You may check that connector isn't loose.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

Reinstalling the system isn't actually an option, depends on knowledge, time, patience.
Did you test already free drivers from official repository?
In case try to install latest drivers from ATI.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/ATI
https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/linux/catalyst_96_linux.pdf

If issues still remain, you may start to analyse error outputs.

If nothing helps at all and you opt for new system installation, you may go for Karmic 9.10 right away.

Revision history for this message
Paul D (pavster) said : 		#4

I tried all the above. Unfortunately i think there was something more serious with the system. The system crashed completely and I couldn't use it even through VGA. DVI wasn't loose, there was something wrong with the drivers I guess. I ended up re-installing the system. It wasn't very hard, I had some experience with this.
After re-installing the system, DVI wasn't working again but then I managed to find ATI's driver for my graphics card. After installation DVI is working again and with full resolution.

I used 9.04 cd to re-install it. Is it better to update to 9.10 through the Update Manager or is it better to get the cd for it and re-install it again?

Thank You very much for your help earlier,

Paul

Revision history for this message
Sam_ (and-sam) said : 		#5

> Is it better to update to 9.10 through the Update Manager or is it better to get the cd for it and re-install it again?

I'd vote for new installation.
9.10 implements major changes.
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/910
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KarmicKoala/TechnicalOverview