xubuntu lower half of screen black [SOLVED]

sjtmbg · 2024-05-15 01:09:37

Recently, after logging in to my xubuntu session, the lower half of my screen
is completely black. This just started happening yesterday and I'm not aware
of any xfce4 updates during this time.

Here are some specs:
OS Name: Ubuntu 23.10
Distributor: Xubuntu
Xfce Version: 4.18
GTK Version: 3.24.38
Kernel Version: 6.5.0-35-generic
CPU: AMD A10-5700 apu with radeon hd graphics x 4
GPU: AMD Aruba (512.0 MB)

I figured at first that my graphics card was going bad but:

1) lightdm login screen is normal - full screen
2) I installed MATE in xubuntu on the same computer, also has no problem

Also, I know it's not a monitor problem for the two reasons above plus I have other desktop computers connected to the same monitor with no problems noted

Please let me know if you have any ideas what might be going on and what
other information might be helpful in diagnosing the problem.

Last edited by sjtmbg (2024-05-15 22:34:50)

ToZ · 2024-05-15 01:16:25

Hello and welcome.

What are the specs of your monitor and what do the following commands return:

xrandr -q
xfconf-query -c displays -lv

And can also post back the contents of your ~/.xsession-errors file after a fresh login?

sjtmbg · 2024-05-15 02:18:11

Thanks for your reply.

xrandr -q:

Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 2560 x 1440, maximum 16384 x 16384
DisplayPort-0 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
VGA-0 disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
DVI-0 connected 2560x1440+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 597mm x 336mm
   2560x1440     60.00 +  75.00* 
   3840x2160     30.00    25.00    24.00    29.97    23.98  
   2560x1600     59.97  
   2048x1536     60.02  
   1920x1440     60.00  
   1856x1392     60.00  
   1792x1344     60.00  
   2048x1152     60.00  
   1920x1200     74.93    59.95  
   1920x1080     75.00    60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1920x1080i    60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1600x1200     75.00    70.00    65.00    60.00  
   1680x1050     74.89    59.88  
   1680x945      60.02  
   1400x1050     74.87    59.95  
   1600x900      60.00  
   1280x1024     75.02    60.02  
   1440x900      74.98    59.90  
   1280x960      60.00  
   1366x768      59.79  
   1360x768      60.02  
   1280x800      74.93    59.91  
   1152x864      75.00  
   1280x768      74.89    59.99  
   1280x720      60.00    50.00    59.94  
   1024x768      75.03    70.07    60.00  
   1024x576      59.97  
   800x600       72.19    75.00    60.32    56.25  
   720x576       50.00  
   848x480       60.00  
   720x480       60.00    59.94  
   640x480       75.00    72.81    60.00    59.94  
   720x400       70.08

xfconf-query -c displays -lv:

/ActiveProfile                 Default
/Default/default               default
/Default/default/Active        true
/Default/default/EDID          
/Default/default/Position/X    0
/Default/default/Position/Y    0
/Default/default/Primary       false
/Default/default/Reflection    0
/Default/default/RefreshRate   0.000000
/Default/default/Resolution    2560x1440
/Default/default/Rotation      0
/Default/default/Scale/X       1.000000
/Default/default/Scale/Y       1.000000
/Default/DVI-0                 Samsung 27"
/Default/DVI-0/Active          true
/Default/DVI-0/EDID            522ae3fb06f20512c462361f66397c0ccde1bc67
/Default/DVI-0/Position/X      0
/Default/DVI-0/Position/Y      0
/Default/DVI-0/Primary         false
/Default/DVI-0/Reflection      0
/Default/DVI-0/RefreshRate     74.999007
/Default/DVI-0/Resolution      2560x1440
/Default/DVI-0/Rotation        0
/Default/DVI-0/Scale/X         1.000000
/Default/DVI-0/Scale/Y         1.000000
/Fallback/default              default
/Fallback/default/Active       true
/Fallback/default/EDID         
/Fallback/default/Position/X   0
/Fallback/default/Position/Y   0
/Fallback/default/Primary      false
/Fallback/default/Reflection   0
/Fallback/default/RefreshRate  0.000000
/Fallback/default/Resolution   2560x1440
/Fallback/default/Rotation     0
/Fallback/default/Scale/X      1.000000
/Fallback/default/Scale/Y      1.000000
/Fallback/DVI-0                Samsung 27"
/Fallback/DVI-0/Active         true
/Fallback/DVI-0/EDID           522ae3fb06f20512c462361f66397c0ccde1bc67
/Fallback/DVI-0/Position/X     0
/Fallback/DVI-0/Position/Y     0
/Fallback/DVI-0/Primary        false
/Fallback/DVI-0/Reflection     0
/Fallback/DVI-0/RefreshRate    74.999007
/Fallback/DVI-0/Resolution     2560x1440
/Fallback/DVI-0/Rotation       0
/Fallback/DVI-0/Scale/X        1.000000
/Fallback/DVI-0/Scale/Y        1.000000
/Notify                        1

.xsession-errors

dbus-update-activation-environment: setting DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS=unix:path=/run/user/1000/bus
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting DISPLAY=:0
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XAUTHORITY=/home/steve/.Xauthority
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=XFCE
/etc/X11/Xsession.d/30x11-common_xresources: line 16: has_option: command not found
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_DATA_DIRS=/usr/share/xfce4:/usr/local/share:/usr/share:/var/lib/snapd/d
esktop
/etc/X11/Xsession.d/75dbus_dbus-launch: line 9: has_option: command not found
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting GTK_MODULES=appmenu-gtk-module:gail:atk-bridge
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting QT_ACCESSIBILITY=1
/etc/X11/Xsession.d/90x11-common_ssh-agent: line 9: has_option: command not found
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting SHELL=/bin/bash
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting QT_ACCESSIBILITY=1
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_CONFIG_DIRS=/etc/xdg/xdg-xubuntu:/etc/xdg
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_SESSION_PATH=/org/freedesktop/DisplayManager/Session0
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting CLUTTER_BACKEND=x11
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting LANGUAGE=en_US
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting MANDATORY_PATH=/usr/share/gconf/xubuntu.mandatory.path
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting DESKTOP_SESSION=xubuntu
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting GTK_MODULES=appmenu-gtk-module:gail:atk-bridge
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting PWD=/home/steve
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_SESSION_DESKTOP=xubuntu
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting LOGNAME=steve
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME=gtk2
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_SESSION_TYPE=x11
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting GPG_AGENT_INFO=/run/user/1000/gnupg/S.gpg-agent:0:1
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XAUTHORITY=/home/steve/.Xauthority
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_GREETER_DATA_DIR=/var/lib/lightdm-data/steve
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting GDM_LANG=en_US
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting HOME=/home/steve
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting IM_CONFIG_PHASE=1
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting LANG=en_US.UTF-8
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=XFCE
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_SEAT_PATH=/org/freedesktop/DisplayManager/Seat0
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_SESSION_CLASS=user
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting GTK_OVERLAY_SCROLLING=0
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting DEFAULTS_PATH=/usr/share/gconf/xubuntu.default.path
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting USER=steve
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting DISPLAY=:0
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting SHLVL=0
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting UBUNTU_MENUPROXY=1
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=/run/user/1000
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting DEBUGINFOD_URLS=https://debuginfod.ubuntu.com 
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting XDG_DATA_DIRS=/usr/share/xubuntu:/usr/share/xfce4:/usr/local/share:/usr/sha
re:/var/lib/snapd/desktop
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting PATH=/home/steve/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbi
n:/bin:/usr/games:/usr/local/games:/snap/bin
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting GDMSESSION=xubuntu
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS=unix:path=/run/user/1000/bus
dbus-update-activation-environment: setting _=/usr/bin/dbus-update-activation-environment
/usr/bin/iceauth:  creating new authority file /run/user/1000/ICEauthority
xfce4-session-Message: 22:06:07.944: GNOME compatibility is enabled and gnome-keyring-daemon is found on the system. Sk
ipping gpg/ssh-agent startup.
discover_other_daemon: 1
** (wrapper-2.0:2726): WARNING **: 22:06:10.411: No outputs have backlight property

(wrapper-2.0:2737): weather-WARNING **: 22:06:10.875: Failed to load pixbuf: Failed to open file “/usr/share/xfce4/weat
her/icons/liquid/22/lightrain-night.png”: No such file or directory

(wrapper-2.0:2737): weather-WARNING **: 22:06:10.891: Failed to load pixbuf: Failed to open file “/usr/share/xfce4/weat
her/icons/liquid/128/lightrain-night.png”: No such file or directory

(xfce4-power-manager:2779): xfce4-power-manager-WARNING **: 22:06:10.975: could not map keysym 1008ffa8 to keycode


** (xfce4-power-manager:2779): WARNING **: 22:06:10.982: No outputs have backlight property

(xfce4-power-manager:2779): xfce4-power-manager-WARNING **: 22:06:10.989: Failed to get keyboard max brightness level :
 GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.UnknownMethod: Object does not exist at path “/org/freedesktop/UPower/KbdBackli
ght”
weather-Message: 22:06:11.056: getting https://api.met.no/weatherapi/sunrise/2.0/?lat=39.324800&lon=-76.606200&date=202
4-05-14&offset=-04:00&days=5
weather-Message: 22:06:11.056: getting https://api.met.no/weatherapi/locationforecast/2.0/classic?lat=39.324800&lon=-76
.606200&altitude=55

(process:2892): ayatana-indicator-sound-WARNING **: 22:06:11.706: volume-control-pulse.vala:746: unable to get pulse un
ix socket: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknown: The name org.PulseAudio1 was not provided by any .ser
vice files
Failure: No such entity
[ 05/14/2024 22:06:11.842 session_init FATAL ERROR ] Another composite manager is already running

(process:2872): ayatana-indicator-keyboard-WARNING **: 22:06:11.986: No language found for Id us+colemak_dh_ortho

(process:2872): ayatana-indicator-keyboard-WARNING **: 22:06:11.987: No language found for Id in+guj-kagapa

(process:2872): ayatana-indicator-keyboard-WARNING **: 22:06:11.987: No language found for Id lv+modern-cyr

(process:2872): ayatana-indicator-keyboard-WARNING **: 22:06:11.989: No language found for Id ru+typo

(process:2872): ayatana-indicator-keyboard-WARNING **: 22:06:11.990: No language found for Id us+colemak_dh_ortho

(process:2872): ayatana-indicator-keyboard-WARNING **: 22:06:11.990: No language found for Id in+guj-kagapa

(process:2872): ayatana-indicator-keyboard-WARNING **: 22:06:11.991: No language found for Id lv+modern-cyr

(process:2872): ayatana-indicator-keyboard-WARNING **: 22:06:11.993: No language found for Id ru+typo

(wrapper-2.0:2737): weather-WARNING **: 22:06:12.028: Download of astronomical data failed with HTTP Status Code 404, R
eason phrase: Not Found
/usr/bin/magnus:107: DeprecationWarning: Gdk.Display.get_device_manager is deprecated
  devman = self.w.get_screen().get_display().get_device_manager()

(polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1:2942): GLib-CRITICAL **: 22:06:12.729: g_variant_new_string: assertion 'string != 
NULL' failed
/usr/bin/magnus:108: DeprecationWarning: Gdk.DeviceManager.get_client_pointer is deprecated
  self.pointer = devman.get_client_pointer()
(polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1:2942): polkit-gnome-1-WARNING **: 22:06:12.730: Failed to register client: GDBus.E
rror:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknown: The name org.gnome.SessionManager was not provided by any .service file
s
/usr/bin/magnus:294: DeprecationWarning: Gdk.Screen.get_width is deprecated
  sw = float(scr.get_width())
/usr/bin/magnus:295: DeprecationWarning: Gdk.Screen.get_height is deprecated
  sh = float(scr.get_height())

(xfce4-power-manager:2779): libxfce4ui-WARNING **: 22:06:13.165: org.freedesktop.ScreenSaver running but unused: using 
org.xfce.ScreenSaver instead

(xfce4-screensaver:2978): libxfce4ui-WARNING **: 22:06:13.166: org.freedesktop.ScreenSaver running but unused: using or
g.xfce.ScreenSaver instead
/usr/bin/magnus:233: DeprecationWarning: Gdk.Display.get_pointer is deprecated
  (screen, x, y, modifier) = display.get_pointer()

(xfce4-session:2402): xfce4-session-WARNING **: 22:06:13.367: Unable to launch "mpd" (specified by autostart/mpd.deskto
p): Failed to execute child process “mpd” (No such file or directory)

(xfce4-session:2402): libxfce4ui-WARNING **: 22:06:13.401: org.freedesktop.ScreenSaver running but unused: using org.xf
ce.ScreenSaver instead

(process:3084): ayatana-indicator-application-service-WARNING **: 22:06:13.449: Unable to get watcher name 'org.kde.Sta
tusNotifierWatcher'
Cannot register authentication agent: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.PolicyKit1.Error.Failed: An authentication agent alre
ady exists for the given subject
blueman-applet 22.06.13 WARNING  PluginManager:151 __load_plugin: Not loading PPPSupport because its conflict has highe
r priority
blueman-applet 22.06.13 WARNING  PluginManager:151 __load_plugin: Not loading DhcpClient because its conflict has highe
r priority

(wrapper-2.0:2718): LIBDBUSMENU-GLIB-WARNING **: 22:06:14.682: Unable to replace properties on 0: Error getting propert
ies for ID

(wrapper-2.0:2718): LIBDBUSMENU-GLIB-WARNING **: 22:06:14.795: Unable to replace properties on 0: Error getting propert
ies for ID
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usb".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "hub".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usb".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event2".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event5".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event6".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event4".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "(null)".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "(null)".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "(null)".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usb".
weather-Message: 22:06:22.603: getting https://api.met.no/weatherapi/sunrise/2.0/?lat=39.324800&lon=-76.606200&date=202
4-05-14&offset=-04:00&days=5
(wrapper-2.0:2737): weather-WARNING **: 22:06:23.297: Download of astronomical data failed with HTTP Status Code 404, R
eason phrase: Not Found
weather-Message: 22:06:33.603: getting https://api.met.no/weatherapi/sunrise/2.0/?lat=39.324800&lon=-76.606200&date=202
4-05-14&offset=-04:00&days=5

(wrapper-2.0:2737): weather-WARNING **: 22:06:34.012: Download of astronomical data failed with HTTP Status Code 404, R
eason phrase: Not Found
weather-Message: 22:06:44.604: getting https://api.met.no/weatherapi/sunrise/2.0/?lat=39.324800&lon=-76.606200&date=202
4-05-14&offset=-04:00&days=5

(wrapper-2.0:2737): weather-WARNING **: 22:06:45.016: Download of astronomical data failed with HTTP Status Code 404, R
eason phrase: Not Found
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usb".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "hub".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usb".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event2".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event6".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event4".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event5".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "(null)".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "(null)".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "(null)".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usb".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usb".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "hub".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usb".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event2".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event4".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event5".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "/dev/input/event6".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "(null)".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "(null)".
thunar-volman: Unsupported input device type "(null)".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usbhid".
thunar-volman: Unsupported USB device type "usb".

ToZ · 2024-05-15 09:52:26

session_init FATAL ERROR ] Another composite manager is already running

This looks suspicious. Can you post the output of your running processes after a fresh login?

ps -ef | grep $USER

Did you install and are running something like picom or compton?

ls ~/.config/autostart

Can you try disabling and re-enabling the compositor (Settings Manager > Window Manager Tweaks > Compositor) and see if that helps?

sjtmbg · 2024-05-15 12:52:57

ps -ef | grep $USER

steve       2455       1  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /lib/systemd/systemd --user
steve       2457    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 (sd-pam)
steve       2464    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/bin/pipewire
steve       2465    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/bin/pipewire -c filter-chain.conf
steve       2466    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/bin/wireplumber
steve       2467    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/bin/pipewire-pulse
steve       2469    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/bin/gnome-keyring-daemon --foreground --components=pkcs11,secr
ets --control-directory=/run/user/1000/keyring
steve       2470    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/bin/dbus-daemon --session --address=systemd: --nofork --nopidf
ile --systemd-activation --syslog-only
steve       2495    2373  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 xfce4-session
steve       2723    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/gvfsd
steve       2729    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/gvfsd-fuse /run/user/1000/gvfs -f
steve       2740    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/at-spi-bus-launcher
steve       2747    2740  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/bin/dbus-daemon --config-file=/usr/share/defaults/at-spi2/acce
ssibility.conf --nofork --print-address 11 --address=unix:path=/run/user/1000/at-spi/bus_0
steve       2749    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/xfce4/xfconf/xfconfd
steve       2755    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/at-spi2-registryd --use-gnome-session
steve       2764    2495  1 08:26 ?        00:00:02 xfwm4 --display :0.0 --sm-client-id 2c3209b6a-af47-4f00-b277-c1f385
046849
steve       2777    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 xfsettingsd --display :0.0 --sm-client-id 2145eb707-da28-49bd-9f48-
1c08ddfd7e23
steve       2783    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 xfce4-panel --display :0.0 --sm-client-id 29be1b949-d368-4a33-b626-
db5957298d82
steve       2789    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 Thunar --sm-client-id 29d556f34-e412-4722-8d4a-ec513dc24942 --daemo
n
steve       2796    2783  0 08:26 ?        00:00:01 /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/xfce4/panel/wrapper-2.0 /usr/lib/x86_64-l
inux-gnu/xfce4/panel/plugins/libwhiskermenu.so 1 14680071 whiskermenu Whisker Menu Show a menu to easily access install
ed applications
steve       2797    2783  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/xfce4/panel/wrapper-2.0 /usr/lib/x86_64-l
inux-gnu/xfce4/panel/plugins/libsystray.so 4 14680072 systray Status Tray Plugin Provides status notifier items (applic
ation indicators) and legacy systray items
steve       2800    2783  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/xfce4/panel/wrapper-2.0 /usr/lib/x86_64-l
inux-gnu/xfce4/panel/plugins/libnotification-plugin.so 5 14680073 notification-plugin Notification Plugin Notification 
plugin for the Xfce panel
steve       2801    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:01 xfdesktop --display :0.0 --sm-client-id 2c5172a9a-4685-48d6-baa8-5a
fd629f1c55
steve       2803    2783  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/xfce4/panel/wrapper-2.0 /usr/lib/x86_64-l
inux-gnu/xfce4/panel/plugins/libxfce4powermanager.so 8 14680074 power-manager-plugin Power Manager Plugin Display the b
attery levels of your devices and control the brightness of your display
steve       2805    2783  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/xfce4/panel/wrapper-2.0 /usr/lib/x86_64-l
inux-gnu/xfce4/panel/plugins/libpulseaudio-plugin.so 9 14680075 pulseaudio PulseAudio Plugin Adjust the audio volume of
 the PulseAudio sound system
steve       2861    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/xfce4/notifyd/xfce4-notifyd
steve       2862    2495  1 08:26 ?        00:00:01 xfce4-terminal --geometry=111x36 --display :0.0 --role=xfce4-termin
al-1715732585-2187673498 --show-menubar --show-borders --hide-toolbar --active-tab --working-directory /home/steve/SysA
dmin/HalfBlackScreen --sm-client-id 20a43a9d7-8c82-47d1-aaf0-6aa62ce45922
steve       2863    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 xfce4-power-manager --restart --sm-client-id 24192cf08-f108-4bd6-91
a3-ab0e45216372
steve       2872    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/tumbler-1/tumblerd
steve       2900       1  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 xcape -e Super_L Alt_L Pause
steve       2909    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 xiccd
steve       2910    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 light-locker
steve       2923    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/ayatana-indicator-power/ayatana-indicator-power-servic
e
steve       2924    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/geoclue-2.0/demos/agent
steve       2942    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/ayatana-indicator-keyboard/ayatana-indicator-keyboard-
service
steve       2946    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/ayatana-indicator-sound/ayatana-indicator-sound-servic
e
steve       2948    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/bin/python3 /usr/share/system-config-printer/applet.py
steve       2976    2862  0 08:26 pts/0    00:00:00 bash
steve       2990    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/ayatana-indicator-messages/ayatana-indicator-messages-
service
steve       2991    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/bin/python3 /usr/bin/blueman-applet
steve       2992    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/dconf-service
steve       3006    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 update-notifier
steve       3014    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/lib/policykit-1-gnome/polkit-gnome-authentication-agent-1
steve       3033    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/ayatana-indicator-notifications/ayatana-indicator-noti
fications-service
steve       3049    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 xfce4-screensaver
steve       3083    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/evolution-data-server/evolution-alarm-notify
steve       3090    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 nm-applet
steve       3093    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/ayatana-indicator-datetime/ayatana-indicator-datetime-
service
steve       3095    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/ayatana-indicator-printers/ayatana-indicator-printers-
service
steve       3134    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/evolution-source-registry
steve       3143    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/ayatana-indicator-session/ayatana-indicator-session-se
rvice
steve       3144    2495  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/ayatana-indicator-application/ayatana-indicator-applic
ation-service
steve       3217    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/lib/bluetooth/obexd
steve       3219       1  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/bin/python3 /usr/bin/blueman-tray
steve       3239    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/evolution-calendar-factory
steve       3243    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/gvfs-udisks2-volume-monitor
steve       3249    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/gvfs-gphoto2-volume-monitor
steve       3255    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/gvfs-afc-volume-monitor
steve       3261    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/gvfs-goa-volume-monitor
steve       3266    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/gvfs-mtp-volume-monitor
steve       3294    2455  0 08:26 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/evolution-addressbook-factory
steve       3351    2862  0 08:26 pts/1    00:00:00 bash
steve       3392    2455  8 08:28 ?        00:00:00 /usr/bin/deja-dup --gapplication-service
steve       3402    2455  0 08:28 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/xdg-desktop-portal
steve       3407    2455  0 08:28 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/xdg-document-portal
steve       3411    2455  0 08:28 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/xdg-permission-store
steve       3423    2455  2 08:28 ?        00:00:00 /usr/libexec/xdg-desktop-portal-gtk
steve       3433    3351 99 08:28 pts/1    00:00:00 ps -ef
steve       3434    3351  0 08:28 pts/1    00:00:00 grep --color=auto steve

The only file in ~/.config/autostart was "magnus-autostart.desktop" but I think that may have happened when I installed MATE while debugging this problem. (BTW, I removed the magnus autostart file and magnus is still running when I login!).

I disabled and re-enabled the compositor as you suggested but no apparent effect.

picom is installed and running on my system (although it apparently wasn't running when I ran the above ps command!?!?).

While looking at this problem, the lower half of the screen appeared once and then immediately froze with the background image and one of my windows frozen in place while the upper half continues to work normally.

sjtmbg · 2024-05-15 13:38:47

Another observation: when I run "gvim", the bottom half of the screen appears! Then it freezes when I move the gvim window to the upper half of the screen. Weird.

ToZ · 2024-05-15 14:45:09

sjtmbg wrote:

The only file in ~/.config/autostart was "magnus-autostart.desktop" but I think that may have happened when I installed MATE while debugging this problem. (BTW, I removed the magnus autostart file and magnus is still running when I login!).

Try clearing your sessions cache. While not logged into Xfce, delete the contents of the ~/.cache/sessions directory - magnus is probably saved there and is autostarting that way. Or maybe uninstall magnus as a test to see if it is interfering.

I disabled and re-enabled the compositor as you suggested but no apparent effect.
picom is installed and running on my system (although it apparently wasn't running when I ran the above ps command!?!?).

picom would interfere with xfwm4's compositor. You should only be running one of them. Maybe also uninstall picom as a test to see if the issue resolves itself.

While looking at this problem, the lower half of the screen appeared once and then immediately froze with the background image and one of my windows frozen in place while the upper half continues to work normally.

That is odd, but it looks like a compositor issue.

sjtmbg · 2024-05-15 15:41:29

Yeah, I had already uninstalled magnus so it is gone now, but unsurprisingly had no effect on the screen problem.

I uninstalled picom and rebooted but half-black screen is still there. Running "gvim" no longer shows the bottom half of the screen so that seems like a bit of a red herring.

I also turned the compositor off in the window tweaks setting again, but also no change.

Bummer.

ToZ · 2024-05-15 16:23:35

Lets look closer at xfsettings and the desktop. While not logged into Xfce, and ensuring that the xfconfd process is not running, rename the .config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/displays.xml file. Log back in again to see if there was a configuration setting that was causing this.

If its still not solved, can you run xfsettingsd in debug mode and post back the output?

XFSETTINGSD_DEBUG=1 xfsettingsd --replace --no-daemon

...as well as xfdesktop:

xfdesktop -Q
xfdesktop -e

If still no luck, lets try different xfwm4 combinations to see if any resolve your issue:

xfwm4 -r &
xfwm4 -r -c off &
xfwm4 -r -c on &
xfwm4 -r -b off &
xfwm4 -r -b glx &
xfwm4 -r -b xpresent &

sjtmbg · 2024-05-15 16:44:31

Success!

I renamed the displays.xml file and have my whole screen now!

I am curious to what config value caused that and how it got changed but I am well out of my element at this point so if there's any info that we need to figure that out please let me know.

Thank you so much for your help with this.

ToZ · 2024-05-15 22:16:21

Can you post your new displays.xml file so we can compare it with the previous one to see the difference?

Glad it solved the issue.

sjtmbg · 2024-05-16 00:49:19

Current displays.xml has just this:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<channel name="displays" version="1.0">
  <property name="ActiveProfile" type="string" value="Default"/>
</channel>

Previous (broken) displays.xml:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<channel name="displays" version="1.0">
  <property name="Default" type="empty">
    <property name="DVI-0" type="string" value="Samsung 27&quot;">
      <property name="Active" type="bool" value="true"/>
      <property name="Resolution" type="string" value="2560x1440"/>
      <property name="RefreshRate" type="double" value="74.999007030225997"/>
      <property name="Rotation" type="int" value="0"/>
      <property name="Reflection" type="string" value="0"/>
      <property name="Primary" type="bool" value="false"/>
      <property name="Position" type="empty">
        <property name="X" type="int" value="0"/>
        <property name="Y" type="int" value="0"/>
      </property>
      <property name="EDID" type="string" value="522ae3fb06f20512c462361f66397c0ccde1bc67"/>
      <property name="Scale" type="empty">
        <property name="X" type="double" value="1"/>
        <property name="Y" type="double" value="1"/>
      </property>
    </property>
    <property name="default" type="string" value="default">
      <property name="Active" type="bool" value="true"/>
      <property name="EDID" type="string" value=""/>
      <property name="Resolution" type="string" value="2560x1440"/>
      <property name="RefreshRate" type="double" value="0"/>
      <property name="Rotation" type="int" value="0"/>
      <property name="Reflection" type="string" value="0"/>
      <property name="Primary" type="bool" value="false"/>
      <property name="Scale" type="empty">
        <property name="X" type="double" value="1"/>
        <property name="Y" type="double" value="1"/>
      </property>
      <property name="Position" type="empty">
        <property name="X" type="int" value="0"/>
        <property name="Y" type="int" value="0"/>
      </property>
    </property>
  </property>
  <property name="ActiveProfile" type="string" value="Default"/>
  <property name="Fallback" type="empty">
    <property name="DVI-0" type="string" value="Samsung 27&quot;">
      <property name="Active" type="bool" value="true"/>
      <property name="EDID" type="string" value="522ae3fb06f20512c462361f66397c0ccde1bc67"/>
      <property name="Resolution" type="string" value="2560x1440"/>
      <property name="RefreshRate" type="double" value="74.999007030225997"/>
      <property name="Rotation" type="int" value="0"/>
      <property name="Reflection" type="string" value="0"/>
      <property name="Primary" type="bool" value="false"/>
      <property name="Position" type="empty">
        <property name="X" type="int" value="0"/>
        <property name="Y" type="int" value="0"/>
      </property>
      <property name="Scale" type="empty">
        <property name="X" type="double" value="1"/>
        <property name="Y" type="double" value="1"/>
      </property>
    </property>
    <property name="default" type="string" value="default">
      <property name="Active" type="bool" value="true"/>
      <property name="EDID" type="string" value=""/>
      <property name="Resolution" type="string" value="2560x1440"/>
      <property name="RefreshRate" type="double" value="0"/>
      <property name="Rotation" type="int" value="0"/>
      <property name="Reflection" type="string" value="0"/>
      <property name="Primary" type="bool" value="false"/>
      <property name="Scale" type="empty">
        <property name="X" type="double" value="1"/>
        <property name="Y" type="double" value="1"/>
      </property>
      <property name="Position" type="empty">
        <property name="X" type="int" value="0"/>
        <property name="Y" type="int" value="0"/>
      </property>
    </property>
  </property>
  <property name="Notify" type="int" value="1"/>
</channel>\

I am using the HDMI output.

Can you point me to some documentation of how the displays.xml file is generated?

Last edited by sjtmbg (2024-05-16 00:51:06)

ToZ · 2024-05-16 01:25:11

Current displays.xml has just this:

Try logging out of Xfce (this will force a save of configuration settings and may save more info the displays.xml file). If not, try also rebooting as in some instances/distros the xfconfd process continues to run after logout. Compare those two outputs for any differences.

Are you using a custom xorg.conf file? There may be a conflict between the two as well.

Can you point me to some documentation of how the displays.xml file is generated?

The display management is part of xfce4-settings (https://docs.xfce.org/xfce/xfce4-settings/display). The file contains the configuration information mostly from that dialog (with X libraries doing alot of the discovery work). I'm not sure there is any documentation outside the source code (and https://gitlab.xfce.org/xfce/xfce4-sett … type=heads) - 4.18 branch in your case.

Last edited by ToZ (2024-05-16 01:34:33)

sjtmbg · 2024-05-16 01:39:43

Even after a reboot I get the same display.xml file as above.

I'm not using a custom xorg.conf (/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d is empty - just to be sure I'm looking in the right place)

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