Arch Linux

simo.network

Member

Registered: 2009-04-22

Posts: 6

[Solved] Window manager problems

Hi to everybody, I am a new forum member even if I have already installed and used Arch on my laptop for several months.
Yesterday I decided to switch again from ubuntu to arch and performed a new iinstallation but I am having big problems with the window manager (actually I am not sure whether the problem is caused by something else); I am using gnome as DE.
The problem is that windows haven't any border (as you can see from the screenshot I linked) and I'm not using neither compiz nor the compositing in metacity. Moreover the behaviour of windows is the same in the X session: you have the focus on a window only if the cursor is above it.
Another strange thing is about the cursor theme: the pointer has the shape of dmz theme if it is on a opened window, otherwise it has the default black theme.
I have an intel video card, I have the same issues with both new intel driver and the legacy one.
Thank you for your help and sorry for my english.

This is the screenshot:
[img=http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/1282/screenshot1oyk.th.png]

Last edited by simo.network (2009-04-24 08:22:46)

SamC

Member

From: Calgary

Registered: 2008-05-13

Posts: 611

Website

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

It certainly looks to me like you don't have a window manager running. How are you starting gnome?

simo.network

Member

Registered: 2009-04-22

Posts: 6

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

I just modified the file /etc/inittab, switching to runlevel 5, following the wiki page
http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Add … on_startup
Obviuosly I installed metacity too.
I also tried to reinstall xorg, cleaning the cache and downloading the packages again, but nothing changed. What could be wrong?

Last edited by simo.network (2009-04-22 13:30:41)

bernarcher

Forum Fellow

From: Germany

Registered: 2009-02-17

Posts: 2,281

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

Still the question remains unanswered. Do you start via a login manager (GDM)? Or do you use startx only?

Last edited by bernarcher (2009-04-22 13:51:53)

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simo.network

Member

Registered: 2009-04-22

Posts: 6

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

I start via GDM

joaca_rj

Member

From: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 76

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

This problem reminds me of a bug that used to be in compiz and emerald, that took out all borders and windows decorations.... but you said you're not using it...
have you tried messing with the gtk themes? it doesn't look like a video card problem, as there aren't corrupted graphics, are they?
try the theme configuration of gnome, or use one of the "chtheme" packages, or maybe edit your ~/.gtkrc-2.0....

MrShlee

Member

Registered: 2009-03-03

Posts: 14

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

I have the extact same problem on a new installation of Arch. I'm running nvidia drivers, on a gnome 2.26.1 WM.. Fresh install of compiz,fusion,gtk packages and the window manage doesn't kick in when you activate compiz.

Can you check the CCSM and see if any plugins, modules are enabled - My compiz setup is completely empty... I have a feeling the current compiz package doesn't include configuration files.

Has anyone recently installed compiz in the last few weeks with expected results? any hitches or tweaks to fix the problem

Last edited by MrShlee (2009-04-22 17:03:02)

derekr44

Member

From: Queen Creek, AZ

Registered: 2008-02-13

Posts: 52

Website

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

Type the following in the console and see what it does:

metacity --replace

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"Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph." - Anonymous

simo.network

Member

Registered: 2009-04-22

Posts: 6

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

With the command

metacity --replace

everything works normally!
How can I fix the problem?

arew264

Member

From: Friendswood, Texas, US

Registered: 2006-07-01

Posts: 394

Website

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

Okay, the problem the Compiz people are having is that you have to go into the compiz settings and enable the Window Decorations plugin, which is disabled by default.
Note: is there a bug report about that somewhere? This really isn't a good default. At all.
MrShlee, this is definitely your problem, and simo... are you sure you aren't running Compiz? There's almost no way that that command would fix it if you weren't running Compiz.

derekr44

Member

From: Queen Creek, AZ

Registered: 2008-02-13

Posts: 52

Website

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

Yes, you are running Compiz.

In terminal, type ccsm to bring up the Compiz-Config Settings Manager.

Go to the Window Decoration area under Effects.  In the "Command" field, type:

emerald --replace

This will force Emerald to be the window manager when Compiz is loaded.

If you don't want Compiz to startup automatically by default, check your Startup Applications under System>Preferences and disable it if it is listed.  If you can't see it there, you can still force Metacity to start by adding a new program and using "metacity --replace" as the command (without the quotes).

A very easy way to manage Compiz, Emerald themes and fast-switching between Compiz & Metacity is to install fusion-icon.

Last edited by derekr44 (2009-04-22 23:38:59)

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"Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph." - Anonymous

simo.network

Member

Registered: 2009-04-22

Posts: 6

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

I installed compiz and I am launching it by fusion-icon; I checked the box to enable window decoration in ccsm. I have compiz as window manager and metacity as window decorator. Everything seems fine except for the fact that windows don't move; I can reisize, reduce to icon or close them but I can not grab them and move on the screen. It seems again that there should be something broken.

MrShlee

Member

Registered: 2009-03-03

Posts: 14

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

Ok, I've activated all the plugins I wanted.. but I've found that the windows deco plugin doesn't seem to active correctly on boot

I need to hit the reload windows manager button in fusion-icon for the windows manager emerald to activate/replace

"emerald --replace" is located in the deco plugin.. Any ideas?

Last edited by MrShlee (2009-04-23 08:45:37)

quarkup

Member

From: Portugal

Registered: 2008-09-07

Posts: 497

Website

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

does the command 'man compiz'

show's you a option like "-replace" ?  I guess you need it.

emerald --replace &
should do the job (need to be done after starting compiz @ startup)

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Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

rune0077

Member

Registered: 2009-04-11

Posts: 135

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

I installed compiz and I am launching it by fusion-icon; I checked the box to enable window decoration in ccsm. I have compiz as window manager and metacity as window decorator. Everything seems fine except for the fact that windows don't move; I can reisize, reduce to icon or close them but I can not grab them and move on the screen. It seems again that there should be something broken.

You want to also check the "move window" option in ccsm. Then you should be able to move windows as well.

simo.network

Member

Registered: 2009-04-22

Posts: 6

Re: [Solved] Window manager problems

Thank you very much, I solved all the problems!