[SOLVED] Randomly appearing flicker/window(?) while in X11 session?

helloCLD · 2023-09-03 15:27:37

I've recently begun spotting what appears to be a window opening and immediately closing when in my X11 session. It looks like a brief flicker on-screen, apparently at random. I have no idea what it could be or what's invoking it, so I was hoping to get some ideas as to how to track down what's causing it? I've already attempted watching output from journalctl and xev, neither showing anything that seemed to line up with the flicker. For reference if it helps I'm running dwm on a dual monitor setup (three if you count a VR headset, not running when these "windows" appear) with an Nvidia RTX 2080 Super. Any suggestions on what I could use to try to track this down much appreciated!

Last edited by helloCLD (2023-09-06 12:00:23)

seth · 2023-09-03 18:09:47

You'd export

xev -root -event substructure

to post if a window gets un/mapped.
If the ID of the window doesn't change, you can "xwininfo -id 0x123456" and "xprop -id 0x123456" it.

Otherwise, are you running a compositor next to dwm?
How big (in relation to the root window) is the flicker?
Is it in a static position?

helloCLD · 2023-09-03 23:14:07

I'll try running xev with the options you provided for a while to see if it captures anything, thanks.

I am running picom, but even with it disabled I'll still the the flicker occasionally. The window seems like it takes up the entire main display and a portion of the secondary, though I can't say it's that big 100% of the time. I can't tell if it's statically placed either, as it's only ever visible for a frame at most.

seth · 2023-09-04 03:54:28

Please post your xorg log and in doubt, remove xf86-video-intel

helloCLD · 2023-09-04 16:20:28

xf86-video-intel was never installed, so no need to remove that. I've uploaded the latest xorg log here: http://0x0.st/Hp0L.txt

I've also been running both xev and a tail -f on the Xorg log, while only running at most one application at a time for extended periods to see if something like Firefox or Discord is triggering the flicker. Neither xev or the Xorg log show anything when the flicker appears, and it seems to be independent of the application being run.

seth · 2023-09-04 18:27:35

[    16.996] (==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf"
…
[    16.998] (==) ServerLayout "Layout0"
[    16.998] (**) |-->Screen "Screen0" (0)
[    16.998] (**) |   |-->Monitor "Monitor0"
[    16.998] (**) |   |-->Device "Device0"
[    16.998] (**) |-->Input Device "Keyboard0"
[    16.998] (**) |-->Input Device "Mouse0"

Get rid of that file, it's full f cruft and shadows pot. issues.

[    17.003] (II) Platform probe for /sys/devices/platform/simple-framebuffer.0/drm/card0

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NVIDIA … de_setting

Can you reproduce this w/ only one monitor attached?

And just to be sure:

three if you count a VR headset, not running when these "windows" appear

The flicker happens even when you're running the system without the HMD attached *at all*?

helloCLD · 2023-09-06 11:59:54

Removed the old xorg.conf file and enabled Direct Mode Rendering, but the flicker was still happening. However, I physically disconnected the HMD and I think that has resolved the issue. It's a Valve Index, and I think there may be a bit of wear in the cable causing flaky connection problems. I'm gonna say this is resolved, thanks for all your help!

Arch Linux

#1 2023-09-03 15:27:37

[SOLVED] Randomly appearing flicker/window(?) while in X11 session?

#2 2023-09-03 18:09:47

Re: [SOLVED] Randomly appearing flicker/window(?) while in X11 session?

#3 2023-09-03 23:14:07

Re: [SOLVED] Randomly appearing flicker/window(?) while in X11 session?

#4 2023-09-04 03:54:28

Re: [SOLVED] Randomly appearing flicker/window(?) while in X11 session?

#5 2023-09-04 16:20:28

Re: [SOLVED] Randomly appearing flicker/window(?) while in X11 session?

#6 2023-09-04 18:27:35

Re: [SOLVED] Randomly appearing flicker/window(?) while in X11 session?

#7 2023-09-06 11:59:54

Re: [SOLVED] Randomly appearing flicker/window(?) while in X11 session?

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