Migration to openSUSE 10.2 and Compiz-Fusion
- August 4th, 2007
- Easy Solutions, Unix/Linux
After several instances of failed attempts to install Beryl on my openSUSE machine, I’ve finally had time and decided to try compiz-fusion. Compiz-fusion is a combination of Compiz and Beryl which are both enhancements of different window managers in linux using C and OpenGL technology. Compiz is no different from Beryl and Compiz-fusion is a Beryl with plugins from Compiz.
Before I go into the steps to install it, I’d like to map out my current system specifications first:
Processor: Pentium 4 3.0e HT
Memory: 1Gb DDR PC3200
Video: GeForce 4 MX AGP
As you can see, the specs are not that great, my processor is about 3 years old, the graphics card is about 4 but it runs flawlessly with the default settings of Beryl Manager and Emerald Themes. The developers made sure that you didn’t need “Vista Aero” type cards to run it which is great!
Okay, here comes the installation part, these exact steps worked for me. If you follow some tutorials online, there are extra steps that mess up your installation so if you have similar hardware like mine, then follow them. I will assume that you have nVidia graphics drivers for openSUSE already installed.
1) Add “http://software.opensuse.org/download/X11:/XGL/openSUSE_10.2/” to your YaST repositories.
2) Search in YaST and install the following: (Make sure no other Beryl installation is installed)
beryl-core-snapshot- beryl-plugins-snapshot
- emerald-snapshot : window decorator
- emerald-themes-snapshot
- aquamarine-snapshot
- beryl-settings-snapshot
- beryl-manager-snapshot
3) Enter the terminal or konsole under super-user mode and run the following:
nvidia-xconfig --composite
nvidia-xconfig --allow-glx-with-composite
nvidia-xconfig --render-accel
nvidia-xconfig --add-argb-glx-visuals
rcxdm restart
beyrl-manager
beryl
Thats it, by this point, beryl manager should be running and beryl should work without a problem. I have consolidated many steps into 3 simple steps that are easy to do. Feel free to post any questions or problems you may be having and I will be glad to troubleshoot it. 
Currently migrating files from Windows hard drive.. goodbye Windows.
August 4th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
dam thats a lot of techno mumbo jumbo lol. if i could understand that i’d try it.
August 4th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
It makes your desktop go like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKEcz_OTTBk
haha
August 6th, 2007 at 2:04 am
Hey Tony,
I’m new to Linux, and am using the latest version of Ubuntu. It’s neato. I’ve got Beryl on it. The cube effect is cool. I am downloading OpenSuse, and wanna install it just like you did. I’ve got the same video card as you, however, I’m using an AMD Athlon 1 gHz, with 386 MB RAM. Ubuntu gets bogged down at times.
I’ll have OpenSuse in 9 hours or so. I’ll burn the ISO’s and then get cracking. The part that I’ll need your assistance in is getting BERYL set up. I literally fluked my way through it in Ubuntu. I have no clue how I got it on. Cut and paste from Wiki forms. Trial and error. Hah. All the commands in terminal make my head spin. Anyhoo, if you could help, that would be great!
Thanks again.
Stewy
August 6th, 2007 at 2:15 am
The steps are exactly as above, the RAM might be an issue but as long as you turn down the settings with beryl-manager you should be fine.
After you install openSUSE, install the correct nVidia drivers. That is the only part of the tutorial that I did not include.
Tony
August 6th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Installing as we speak. We’ll see how it goes.
August 6th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
One question for ya,
How do I,
1) Add “http://software.opensuse.org/download/X11:/XGL/openSUSE_10.2/” to my YaST repositories. ?
Sounds like a simple question. Bear in mind I’m a Linux rookie. Thanks again.
Stewy
August 7th, 2007 at 12:47 am
Sure, go to YaST > Software > Installation Sources
From there just select the enter direct link option.
August 8th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Hey Tony,
I’ve successfully installed the above URL to my YaST repositories. I searched for the following in YaST,
# beryl-core-snapshot
# beryl-plugins-snapshot
# emerald-snapshot : window decorator
# emerald-themes-snapshot
# aquamarine-snapshot
# beryl-settings-snapshot
# beryl-manager-snapshot
Nothing is found. Am I missing a step? Or did something not work?
Thanks again.
Stewy
August 8th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Did you check:
Using YaST -> Software Management -> search for Beryl
Those packages should be there when you search “Beryl” in Software Management.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Found it thanks! It’s running very slow on my macheeno! Yuck! Cube effect is like watching paint dry.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Great, glad to see you got it working.
What are you specs?
Also you should set the settings low and disable features you are not going to use via Beryl-Manager.
August 8th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
Let’s see,
SPECS are,
AMD ATHLON 1 gHz
378 MB RAM
GeForce 4MX
Yeah, I’d change the settings, but I can’t even do that. It is running soooo slow, that I can’t even click on anything. Ugh!
August 9th, 2007 at 3:31 am
I’ve gotten the system to run well now, however, when I go through the following steps:
rcxdm restart
beyrl-manager
beryl
When I give the last command, BERYL, I get this error….
xvinfo: Unable to open display
xdpyinfo: Unable to open display “”.
Error: unable to open display (null)
beryl: couldn’t open display
Any ideas?
August 9th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Well,
FYI…. The method mentioned how to install the Nvidia drivers on the NVIDIA site is garbage. I had a guy on IRC help me install the drivers the proper way, according to him. Worked great. The way that NVIDIA says messed me system up. I couldn’t get out of init 3, and couldn’t get into inti 5. Beryl won’t work on my system. Never the less, opensuse is coo. Thanks for your help.
August 10th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Well thats a pretty common problem, it’s when you try to run another xserver without closing the first one and you end up getting some kind of login problem but once you have nVidia drivers installed, then you should be able to go follow the installation steps.
August 12th, 2007 at 4:19 am
Hi,
Unfortunately you are installing the wrong packages. You are installing Beryl instead of Compiz Fusion. Please install the compiz-fusion packages instead of Beryl cause they are not longer supported.