XPS M1330 with Linux installed - Compiz not working

Question

I just received the Dell XPS M1330 which was ordered in the US, which means I didn't have the option to choose the Nvidia video card, all I had to choose from was the default Intel 3100 integrated card. I don't plan on using it for heavy graphics type of stuff, but I did want it to run Compiz, since I like some of the features it offers. But Compiz doesn't work with this current setup, which I find troubling. I feel like I should have done what I always do - purchase the Windows version and load Linux on it. The support for the 1330 with Vista on it and Nvidia seems better than getting Ubuntu pre-installed. No option for better graphics, no Compiz eye-candy, no fingerprint reader, no WWAN option, no color option. I'm getting depressed just writing all this out. I tried voting with my wallet and say that Linux should be pre-installed, but now I'm thinking I would have been better off getting Vista and loading Ubuntu myself. Is there going to be any support for the Intel graphics card and Compiz? Really, the eye-candy factor is needed if Ubuntu is going to be a viable choice. I really want to feel good about what I just did, but I feel like I have made the wrong choice, can someone help me feel better about this? J

James2423 · Answer

as long as your video card supports 3d it is compatible with compiz, if not I'm sorry to hear that

jaiball · Answer

From what I've read after researching this is that this particular video card is blacklisted by Compiz due to it not be ing able to handle Xv video. I found the following on a forum(forgot where)
$ mkdir -p ~/.config/compiz; echo SKIP_CHECKS=yes >> ~/.config/compiz/compiz-manager
This allowed me to turn Compiz on and use it, but now I cannot run any video playback program such as Cheese(webcam app) or LinDVD (the audio works, video doesn't). So to sum it up I can now get Compiz to work but it seriously limits any video program use, so that's a no go.

How about a suggestion from a Dell rep? I called Dell and asked about returning it, but that's a 15% restocking fee that I don't want to pay. I just hope that I can get this fixed and hopefully make it so it Just Works.

Also, is it possible for me to purchase a Nvidia video card and install it myself or is that to hard?

J

James2423 · Answer

Videocards in laptops are welded to the motherboard....so not only do you need room but you have to weld it in the right place to communicate with the motherboard..so good luck...

James2423 · Answer

sorry can't help you there :/ I've had problems with compiz myself; (forgot to enable restricted-drivers(noob mistake))  I don't see any other possibilities

jaiball · Answer

Okay, so installing a video card is out of the question. I figure I'm keeping what I have but I still would like to have Compiz run all the time and Just Work. Any suggestions?

jaiball · Answer

Figured out how to have Compiz-Fusion and video work, just check out the solutions on the following link:
http://forum.compiz-fusion.org/showthread.php?t=1152

Works for me. I also see that Dell has added the Nvidia card option to its XPS 1330 Ubuntu offering, too late for me, but at least they have it.

J

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