Ubuntu
xorg-server package

  1. Bug #353126
  2. Comment #4

Comment 4 for bug 353126

Revision history for this message
Andrew Barbaccia (andrew-barbaccia) wrote : Compiz / vnc screen refresh with nvidia-restricted driver

Binary package hint: compiz

When using the nvidia-restricted driver and compiz desktop effects the vnc server will not refresh the screen. This is being caused by the xserver not getting "damaged" by the nvidia-restricted drivers. Linked bugs confirm this is not an issue on intel chipsets or nv driver.

Steps to reproduce:
Enable desktop-effects (default) with nvidia-restricted driver
Enable remote desktop
Connect with VNC

Results:
You see a screen snapshot of your desktop but if you click a menu item there are no updates to the screen.
Notes:
If you close and restart the vnc session, you get an updated snapshot but still no refreshes.

Workarounds:
Use the -noxdamage argument with vncviewer. This is really inefficient and bandwidth hungry since the whole screen refreshes.
Kill compiz and use a different wm (metacity).

This bug has been confirmed by over a dozen people in the linked bugs.