Help with moving/closing windows and Compiz questions and help???
 

Hello and thanks for reading.

I have Ubuntu installed and the usual compiz packages.
Have installed this distro and files before, so I know everything works....errrr, used to anyways.

Whenever I open a window, whether a general folder, Firefox, etc..it's missing the minimize/max/close X symbols, and I cannot click on the bar to even move the window around.

I was just able to do this yesterday, then all of a sudden, I cannot do anything? I know it must be something simple..like a package I got and messed everything up or something else???

Also, compiz seems to sometimes work..like rotating the cube with the mouse, skydomes working, etc....then, acts up, no skydome, have to use keyboard to rotate, etc.

I noticed that in the advanced desktop settings panel, there is no option for 3-D windows, Atlantis cube effect, etc....some distros have these, others do not...is this correct? And, how do I get ALL the options?

You need to add the CCSM (CompizConfig Settings Manager) package to apply plugins, 3d settings etc. Have you got Emerald installed? See here for what Emerald does: http://themes.beryl-project.org/

yes, have emerald, compiz fusion, ccsm, everything..even re-installed?
Now..just a minute ago...the rotate cube stopped working, but the close/max/min window symbols re-appreared.
Re-started computer...the skydome works, the rotate with ctrl/alt/mouse works, but no more window symbols??? It's like one works and the other messes up?
I must be doing something silly? Argh!
Thanks,
Brian.

Sounds like a graphics card issue to me. What graphics card are you using?

Ya know..I was just thinking that also.
nVidia MX-420...maybe I got too new drivers installed...it works, but keeps messing up..should maybe try an older driver?

Right now, the skydome is working and 3-d rotate cube effect....but, I have no ability to close/max/min the window...there is no symbols anywhere?

I even just downloaded some new Emerald themes and "supposedly" installed them, but nothing works...nothing changes that is.

I also shut down, restarted...twice the computer..no difference.

The MX420? Whilst the effects will work to some degree, the results will be somewhat erratic (as you are experiencing), I used to have the MX440 and I barely got away with a functional 3d environment. To get some stability you will need to disable a lot of the eye-candy & plugins. A better graphics card would be the best option if you want to enjoy the 'wow' factor :)

I forgot to mention, when your close/minimise buttons disappear, simply hold down the Alt key and hold down the left mouse button on the window you want to move and drag it where you want it to go.

Do you have the same issues if you disable compiz and use metacity instead?

Thanks for the info.

The alt/mouse routine works with moving windows, but what a pain in the butt!!! :o)

Yes, the video card is pretty lame, but all I have for now. Seemed to work fine a few weeks back....I had Ubuntu, but keep installing other distros...tried them all!!! Sheeeeeesh!

I installed PCLinuxOS, SUse 10.3, Fedora 8, eLive (kinda cool), etc, etc.

I like the Ubuntu style because of gnome, the ease of effects (hah!), updates, put folders and files on the desktop (unlike eLive).

You know of any desktop app bars I could install to the bottom of the screen like eLive (or Macs) have?

Thanks again for all the info and help.
Brian.

Have not tried Metacity, due to Compiz being the latest effect fad and all...and it DID work....not familiar with Metacity..maybe a better choice for me with this lousy video card?

Well, metacity is a bit dull - none of the wild effects like compiz has them - but it has been used for years so it should be very stable. If you find it isn't, then it's more than clear that is something is very very wrong. I constantly find myself switching between metacity and compiz. Having the effects is nice but they tend to get in the way after a while.