I have just installed Mandriva 2008.1 Spring from the One CD. The installation was successful, but upon booting into Mandriva for the first time, I have been encountering some odd problems.

First of all, when the desktop first loads, there are icons on the desktop. They disappear after about half a second and I am unable to understand why.

Second, whenever I open a window, be it Firefox, the password query for the updates or the Clock Configuration window, the window starts out blank - just a plain stretch of white. I then have to minimize and regrow or close and reopen the window to get to see the contents. The same goes for the Menu and its submenus.

Third, a lot of the windows, once I can see their contents, will not accept my input. The password query refuses to let me type in my password, the clock configuration window does not let me click anything to change settings or change tabs. The only things that do work are the Close buttons and the Cancel/OK buttons. Firefox seems to work fine, as does Konqueror. So far any applications do work, but any configuration windows and other direct parts of Mandriva do not.

Lastly I would like to note that Mandriva feels very sluggish. This is the first time I have installed it, so I cannot compare, but it does seem much more sluggish than an older version of Mandriva I have worked with in the past, which I think was 2005 Limited Edition. So far the most annoying thing is trying to resize my Firefox window; this lags significantly.

I am rather new to Linux. Even though I have used other versions and distributions before, I have never adequately learned to work with them, and as such I do not know where to look for the cause of these issues. If anyone could tell me or help me determine what the problem is, I would greatly appreciate it.


EDIT: I have just found that it is in fact not accurate to say that the windows will not accept my input, instead I should say that they do not reflect it. In the password query, I am able to type my password, and it accepts it, but I cannot see that I am typing anything. This also means I cannot navigate information that the windows are showing; when I scroll for example, the window does not reflect it.


EDIT2: I changed my window manager from Compiz to Metisse and all my problems disappeared. I guess it's a problem with Compiz. Though I am fine using Metisse, I am still interested to hear what anyone might have to say about the problems with Compiz.

Which video driver are you using? If you are using the non-proprietary driver, then switching to the proprietary driver, either from the video card vendor (will need compiling) or from PLF (recommended) & checking the Render box in Mandriva Control Centre may solve the problem with Compiz. The only problem with Compiz I've found is that it doesn't work with the Free drivers, & needs a decent system to get the full effect...