[Chimera-users] Chimera startup error: "Display misconfiguration" (Debian GNU/Linux)

[Greg Couch]

Unfortunately, we don't have a laptop with NVidia Optimus nor AMD 
Dynamic Switchable Graphics, so we can't troubleshoot this ourselves.  
So here's some general advice.


The error happens when the OpenGL widget doesn't initialize properly.  
You can use the glxinfo program to see what information is being 
presented to Chimera.  Chimera wants a double buffered, 24-bit color, 
depth, and stencil render buffer.


If you have Nvidia graphics, you should install the closed source 
proprietary Nvidia graphics driver.  The open source driver is not good 
enough.


If your laptop is always plugged in, disable the integrated graphics in 
the BIOS so you're always using the high performance graphics option.  
Linux will only see the Nvidia/AMD option, and Chimera will be happy.


Run a current version of Linux and follow the instructions for that 
version to setup the hybrid graphics.  I expect that it is easier with 
Ubuntu or Fedora, but other versions should work too. For example, 
https://wiki.debian.org/NVIDIA%20Optimus states that if you are using 
Debian 11 (bullseye) or newer, you might not need to do anything extra.  
Ubuntu 21.04 is based on Debian 11.  So I'd recommend Ubuntu 22.04.


Edit the Chimera.desktop shortcut and add:


     PrefersNonDefaultGPU=true


That will tell the desktop to use the high performance graphics when you 
click on the shortcut -- that is supposed to work even if the high 
performance graphics is the default, the name of the option was 
standardized too early.


And if you're ever in San Francisco, please come by the lab with your 
laptop and we'll see what we can figure out.


    Good luck,


     Greg


On 12/23/2022 12:07 AM, Powell, William A. via Chimera-users wrote:
> Hi, Chimera community.
>
> I have seen similar problems addressed, and the solution is always to 
> update drivers and make sure there is only on OpenGL renderer. I am 
> unable to resolve my problem this way. When Chimera is launched using 
> my dedicated NVIDIA 3060 Mobile graphics card, there are mixed 
> results. If launched from a terminal instance an by the NVIDIA card, 
> it produces the error below.
>
>     Display misconfiguration. Please increase the color quality (24
>     bit color or greater), update your display (graphics) driver,
>     and/or upgrade your graphics card. Also see chimera installation
>     instructions.
>
> Using primusrun, it succesfully launches on the dedicated card. 
> Unfortunately, the nvidia-primus and bumblebee-nvidia packages seem to 
> conflict with the NVIDIA drivers. The only way Chimera works reliably 
> is by launching it through an instance of Steam ran on the NVIDIA 
> card. The Steam client opens ~/.local/bin/chimera, the same file 
> opened through the terminal. I am not sure what is so special about 
> launching an application through Steam.
>
> Thanks!
>
> *W. Andy Powell, B.S., A.S., Graduate Teaching Assistant*
> The University of Oklahoma
> Singh Lab, INPART
> Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
> Dodge Family College of Arts and Science
> w.a.powell at ou.edu
>
> _______________________________________________
> Chimera-users mailing list:Chimera-users at cgl.ucsf.edu
> Manage subscription:https://www.rbvi.ucsf.edu/mailman/listinfo/chimera-users
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