OpenGL on Intel GMA4500MHD Not working.

[cozzykim]

Hi all,

I have a Thinkpad W500 which has both integrated and discrete graphics.

I've given up using the Ati Mobility FireGL5700, as it can't handle video playback with the available drivers without tearing and stuttering.

The Intel GMA4500MHD works very well, 720p video is reasonably smooth.

The problem is; none of my 3D games work at all, supertux 2, supertuxkart and FlightGear don't work and neither do any wine games (I have NeedForSpeed High Stakes)

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[kim@localhost ~]$ supertuxkart
Irrlicht Engine version 1.8.0-alpha
Linux 2.6.38.8-pclos3.bfs #1 SMP PREEMPT Fri Jul 8 18:01:30 CDT 2011 i686
Could not load sprite bank because the file does not exist: #DefaultFont
[FileManager] Data files will be fetched from: '/usr/share/games/supertuxkart/'
[FileManager] Addons files will be stored in '/home/kim/.local/share/supertuxkart/addons'.
[translate] Env var LANGUAGE = 'en_GB.UTF-8:en_GB:en'
[translate] Env var LANGUAGE = 'en_GB.UTF-8:en_GB:en', which corresponds to 'English (Great Britain)'
Adding language fallback en
[IrrDriver] Creating NULL device
Irrlicht Engine version 1.8.0-alpha
Linux 2.6.38.8-pclos3.bfs #1 SMP PREEMPT Fri Jul 8 18:01:30 CDT 2011 i686
Could not load sprite bank because the file does not exist: #DefaultFont
[IrrDriver] Trying OpenGL rendering.
[IrrDriver] Trying to create device with 32 bits
[IrrDriver Temp Logger] Level 2: No GLX support available. OpenGL driver will not work.
[IrrDriver Temp Logger] Level 3: Fatal error, could not get visual.
Segmentation fault
[kim@localhost ~]$
All the games I try report no OpenGL.

glxinfo reports

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[kim@localhost ~]$ glxinfo
name of display: :0
Error: couldn't find RGB GLX visual or fbconfig

I have mesa installed, and I've tried both the i810 and xorg intel drivers.

From what I've gleaned from Googling this card should support at least basic 3D.

In "Desktop Effects>Advanced" Compositing Type is "XRender", if I set "OpenGL" i get

Code: [Select]

Failed to activate desktop effects using the given configuration options. Settings will be reverted to their previous values.

Check your X configuration. You may also consider changing advanced options, especially changing the compositing type.
It would be nice to be able to run basic games without having to go into BIOS and change the graphics card each time. (roll on a switchable graphics solution )

Any help appreciated, thanks

Kim

[DeBaas]

The AMD Hybrid System is not the finest for Linux (yet)

A story on another distro with the same problems:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Hybrid_graphics

You can find the same problems and no solutions on other distro's.
For nVidia Hybrids there is the Bumblebee project, experimental implemented on some distro's

Many HP and other portables with the AMD hybrids won't even play the LiveCD's cause the hardware is switching to the external monitor.
When booted (with external screen) you can switch to the Laptop's screen, but after a reboot it's always dark again.

[cozzykim]

Thanks DeBaas,

I'm not currently trying to switch cards on the fly, it's relatively easy to do in BIOS.

I'm trying to find out why OpenGL doesn't seem to be working at all.

I "think" I have everything necessary installed 

I have a Full version 2011 install, fully updated from the Pass server;

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[kim@localhost ~]$ Xorg -version

X.Org X Server 1.10.4
Release Date: 2011-08-19
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
Build Operating System: Linux_2.6.38.8-pclos3.pae.bfs PCLinuxOS
Current Operating System: Linux localhost.localdomain 2.6.38.8-pclos3.bfs #1 SMP PREEMPT Fri Jul 8 18:01:30 CDT 2011 i686
Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=linux root=UUID=f166ad37-b870-4acd-8f95-65c34dbfa029 quiet vmalloc=256M acpi=on resume=UUID=ccbe4f82-4c06-4263-82a8-3adb5c08847f vga=788
Build Date: 22 September 2011  10:12:37PM
 
Current version of pixman: 0.24.4
        Before reporting problems, check http://pclinuxos.com
        to make sure that you have the latest version.

[menotu]

In "Desktop Effects>Advanced" Compositing Type is "XRender", if I set "OpenGL" i get

Code: [Select]

Failed to activate desktop effects using the given configuration options. Settings will be reverted to their previous values.

Check your X configuration. You may also consider changing advanced options, especially changing the compositing type.
In KDE 4.9.2 - 32bit -  NVidia

If memory serves the OpenGL option(s) can sometimes be "fixed" using various combinations in Composting Type and/or QT Graphic System

As you can see it's working fine on my but it may be worthwhile checking various combinations of Composting Type > Xrender / OpenGL and QT Graphic System > Native / Raster

Not being an ardent gamer I don't know if the following is installed by default - if it's not you could install it (or try reinstalling it if it is installed)

opengl-games-utils  Utilities to check proper 3d support before launching 3d game

[cozzykim]

Thanks menotu,

I tried changing "Desktop Effects>Advanced" from XRender - Native, to OpenGL - Raster, and all combinations.

Only XRender works.

I couldn't find opengl-games-utils in the "all" search in synaptic

[DeBaas]

opengl-games-utils is in the megagames repo

[cozzykim]

I only have the Pass server in my repo list, is there a megagames repo?

EDIT: If that looks like a stupid question, it's because I'm a noob to the Pass server, is it OK to add an external repo like the megagames one?

[DeBaas]

make/select an extra repo in Synaptic:

for megagames
http://ftp.nluug.nl/pub/os/Linux/distr/pclinuxos/
megagames
megagames

as in the seccond picture of:
http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,112036.msg957315.html#msg957315

[cozzykim]

OK thanks,

just wanted to check, as my edit above, that it's OK to add a non-Pass repo.

Done that and opengl-games-utils installed, logged out and back in to make sure but there's no difference that I can see, games started from terminal report "OpenGL driver will not work" etc.

[DeBaas]

One quote from the many on the net:

The internal Intel GMA 4500MHD can only Handle OpenGL 1.1 (instead of OpenGL 2.1 it is certified for). Therefore most applications needing OpenGL won't run.

I found many questions but no answers.

Food for thaughts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_GMA