Intel card not working with KDE 4.5 Desktop effects? Try this.

[Mark342]

Symptoms:
You have just updated a desktop with an intel graphics card to KDE 4.5 and find that Desktop effects no longer work or cause your system to freeze after a while.
After the update, you may have had a 'solid' panel instead of a transparent one.

Solution:
First, undo any changes you may have done while trying to solve it.

Now go to:
Configure your desktop -> workspace appearence and behavior -> Desktop effects

Check "Enable Desktop Effects" if it isn't already.
Click the "All Effects" tab.
Uncheck the checkbox next to "Blur".
Click "Apply"

If all goes well then Desktop effects should be working now.

Explanation:
Current open-source drivers for intel graphics cards do not support the opengl effect needed to create the Blur.
Compiz users already know about this issue because their own "Blur" plugin is almost useless.

[brilz]

well..sad enough coz it's not just the blur effects but also several other such as cube, cover switch etc..

i prefer use the xrender rather than opengl for now since opengl wont enable almost every effect on kwin (wonder if it's just me..)

cant wait for the next release for mesa will be updated (tex said so)..hope that it will clean up my problem.. 

[rm]

I just tried this with KDE 4.6 on my Thinkpad T61 with Intel GMA 950.  The blur effect is still a problem, but disabling it as mentioned above worked well.  At least I now have transparency, Zoom, Cube, and several others.   

[pags]

well..sad enough coz it's not just the blur effects but also several other such as cube, cover switch etc..

i prefer use the xrender rather than opengl for now since opengl wont enable almost every effect on kwin (wonder if it's just me..)

cant wait for the next release for mesa will be updated (tex said so)..hope that it will clean up my problem.. 

As rm mentioned, this will work with older chipsets.  I see in your signature that you're running an i3.  The original post pre-dates this chip.

I expect that when PCLOS gets an update to xorg (no small feat, atm), then the new intel driver will support you better.
 

[ivanovnegro]

Thanks Mark, now I have KWin finally working on my KDE 4.6.
Its better integrated as Compiz I feel. I have also an Intel Card and could not apply the effects of KWin, disabled Blur and it is fantastic.

[Georgetoon]

Thanks Mark, now I have KWin finally working on my KDE 4.6.
Its better integrated as Compiz I feel. I have also an Intel Card and could not apply the effects of KWin, disabled Blur and it is fantastic.

I gave it a go on my notebook. No go.  I still need the new kernel and new xorg.

[pags]

Thanks Mark, now I have KWin finally working on my KDE 4.6.
Its better integrated as Compiz I feel. I have also an Intel Card and could not apply the effects of KWin, disabled Blur and it is fantastic.

I gave it a go on my notebook. No go.  I still need the new kernel and new xorg.

Well...we've got the kernel; just waiting on xorg (yeah, it'll be ready when it's ready...)

[ivanovnegro]

Thanks Mark, now I have KWin finally working on my KDE 4.6.
Its better integrated as Compiz I feel. I have also an Intel Card and could not apply the effects of KWin, disabled Blur and it is fantastic.

I gave it a go on my notebook. No go.  I still need the new kernel and new xorg.

Yes, I know, for example on other distros with a newer Kernel and Xorg it worked for me even with Blur enabled but PCLOS rocks!
So, Im hoping to see anyway the new stuff added to PCLOS. 

[Georgetoon]

I agree. It rocks!:) PCLOS is great!

thing is, my notebook runs fine even without the extra eye candy.  I really don't miss it.

But, I realize I'm going to need the new kernel and xorg in order for some other functionality.