Strange flashes...

[Mauiby de Fug]

So I've finally got around to installing Oolite (1.75.3) on what was a clean install of Ubuntu Oneiric 11.10. During play, I kept on seeing some strange flashes, like laser fire from 20 ships firing at me from some unknown place (that's the best way I can describe it...). I thought this was odd, but things got weirder later. I've got a game save where, if I go to the first F6, well, this happens:





These things flash and more about. Even when the game is paused.
And there is still a problem when you go to the first F6 screen from the 2nd F6 screen:


Running Oolite with no shaders, and all reduced detail settings on.

Latest log:

Code: Select all

05:01:38.108 [log.header]: Opening log for Oolite version 1.75.3 (x86-32 test release) under Linux at 2011-10-23 05:01:38 +0000.
2 processors detected.
Build options: spoken messages, mass/fuel pricing, JavaScript console support, OXP verifier, localization tools, debug GraphViz support, JavaScript profiling.

Note that the contents of the log file can be adjusted by editing logcontrol.plist.

05:01:38.318 [display.mode.list.native]: X11 native resolution detected: 1280 x 800
05:01:38.537 [joystick.init]: Number of joysticks detected: 0
05:01:38.879 [searchPaths.dumpAll]: Unrestricted mode - resource paths:
    /opt/Oolite/oolite.app/Resources
    AddOns
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns
    AddOns/Basic-debug.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/Commies.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/BountyScannerv2.0.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/Snoopers2.1.1.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/BGS-A1.3.5.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/The_Feudal_States_v1.12.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/Snoopers2.x_gal2.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/Cabal_Common_Library1.4.5.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/GalDrivePod v1.3.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/att1.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/XeptatlsSword(beta)v0.9.2.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/WormholeDronesWIP.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/Target Autolock Plus 1.12.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/Fuel Tank v2.2.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/behemoth 2.6.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/BlOomberg Markets v2.4.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/Dictators v1.5.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/neocaduceus.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/Anarchies2.5.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/JB_HUD.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/nuvipers.oxp
    ~/.Oolite/AddOns/AnnwnTB.oxp
05:01:38.880 [rendering.opengl.version]: OpenGL renderer version: 1.4.0 ("1.4 Mesa 7.11"). Vendor: "Tungsten Graphics, Inc". Renderer: "Mesa DRI Intel(R) 945GM x86/MMX/SSE2".
05:01:38.880 [rendering.opengl.extensions]: OpenGL extensions (113):
GL_ARB_texture_env_crossbar, GL_EXT_abgr, GL_EXT_texture, GL_ARB_shadow, GL_IBM_texture_mirrored_repeat, GL_EXT_texture_edge_clamp, GL_EXT_separate_specular_color, GL_EXT_blend_minmax, GL_ARB_texture_env_add, GL_EXT_texture_object, GL_INGR_blend_func_separate, GL_NV_texture_env_combine4, GL_EXT_texture_cube_map, GL_ARB_draw_elements_base_vertex, GL_EXT_blend_logic_op, GL_ARB_sampler_objects, GL_EXT_texture_env_dot3, GL_IBM_rasterpos_clip, GL_EXT_framebuffer_blit, GL_ARB_texture_env_dot3, GL_EXT_framebuffer_object, GL_NV_light_max_exponent, GL_EXT_blend_subtract, GL_EXT_copy_texture, GL_EXT_separate_shader_objects, GL_3DFX_texture_compression_FXT1, GL_MESA_window_pos, GL_ARB_multitexture, GL_EXT_stencil_wrap, GL_ARB_texture_border_clamp, GL_ARB_texture_env_combine, GL_NV_vertex_program, GL_EXT_framebuffer_multisample, GL_EXT_texture_env_add, GL_SGIS_texture_edge_clamp, GL_EXT_packed_pixels, GL_ARB_depth_texture, GL_SGIS_texture_lod, GL_ARB_transpose_matrix, GL_EXT_stencil_two_side, GL_NV_packed_depth_stencil, GL_NV_texgen_reflection, GL_ARB_shading_language_100, GL_ARB_robustness, GL_OES_EGL_image, GL_EXT_gpu_program_parameters, GL_EXT_rescale_normal, GL_ARB_map_buffer_range, GL_ARB_provoking_vertex, GL_ARB_explicit_attrib_location, GL_ARB_pixel_buffer_object, GL_EXT_secondary_color, GL_ARB_ES2_compatibility, GL_ARB_copy_buffer, GL_OES_read_format, GL_ARB_texture_mirrored_repeat, GL_SUN_multi_draw_arrays, GL_EXT_blend_equation_separate, GL_ARB_half_float_pixel, GL_EXT_draw_range_elements, GL_EXT_polygon_offset, GL_EXT_texture_lod_bias, GL_EXT_texture_filter_anisotropic, GL_SGIS_texture_border_clamp, GL_SGIS_generate_mipmap, GL_APPLE_object_purgeable, GL_ARB_texture_rectangle, GL_ARB_texture_non_power_of_two, GL_NV_texture_rectangle, GL_ARB_point_sprite, GL_EXT_packed_depth_stencil, GL_ARB_vertex_shader, GL_ARB_vertex_buffer_object, GL_ARB_sync, GL_ARB_shader_objects, GL_EXT_provoking_vertex, GL_IBM_multimode_draw_arrays, GL_MESA_ycbcr_texture, GL_ATI_separate_stencil, GL_ARB_framebuffer_object, GL_EXT_texture_rectangle, GL_ARB_fragment_shader, GL_EXT_fog_coord, GL_EXT_texture3D, GL_EXT_subtexture, GL_ARB_window_pos, GL_ARB_fragment_program, GL_EXT_point_parameters, GL_EXT_texture_env_combine, GL_ARB_vertex_program, GL_ARB_texture_cube_map, GL_ARB_point_parameters, GL_EXT_compiled_vertex_array, GL_EXT_bgra, GL_EXT_vertex_array, GL_ARB_multisample, GL_ARB_vertex_array_object, GL_ARB_draw_buffers, GL_APPLE_client_storage, GL_ATI_draw_buffers, GL_ARB_texture_compression, GL_EXT_multi_draw_arrays, GL_APPLE_vertex_array_object, GL_ATI_texture_env_combine3, GL_APPLE_packed_pixels, GL_EXT_blend_func_separate, GL_MESA_pack_invert, GL_EXT_shadow_funcs, GL_ATI_blend_equation_separate, GL_EXT_blend_color, GL_EXT_pixel_buffer_object, GL_NV_vertex_program1_1, GL_NV_blend_square
05:01:38.887 [rendering.opengl.gpuSpecific]: Matched GPU configuration "Intel GMA 900/950 family".
05:01:38.887 [rendering.opengl.shader.support]: Shaders are supported.
05:01:40.577 [script.load.world.listAll]: Loaded 33 world scripts:
    Anarchies 2.5
    Annwn 1.0
    behemoth 2.6
    BGS-M 1.3.4
    Bounty Scanner 2.0 2.00
    Cabal_Common_Briefing 1.4.5
    Cabal_Common_Comms 1.4.5
    Cabal_Common_Functions 1.4.5
    Cabal_Common_Keyboard 1.4.5
    Cabal_Common_Music 1.4.5
    Cabal_Common_OXPStrength 1.4.5
    Caduceus Damage Control Node 2.0
    communist_population 2.11
    dictators.js 1.0
    Dynamic HUD with Cloak Sensing 1.02
    feudal-challenge.js 7.0
    feudal-mission.js 8.0
    feudal-planetfall.js 3.0
    feudal-promotion.js 5.0
    feudal-ranks.js 4.0
    feudal-tournament.js 8.0
    GalDrivePod_main_script 1.0
    Mauiby's Wormhole Drones 1.1
    oolite-cloaking-device 1.75.3
    oolite-constrictor-hunt 1.75.3
    oolite-nova 1.75.3
    oolite-thargoid-plans 1.75.3
    oolite-trumbles 1.75.3
    SE-main-script 2.3
    snoopers 2.1.1
    targetAutolock 1.11
    XeptatlsSword-Main 0.9.2
    XeptatlsSword-Main-Remover 0.1.15
05:01:41.489 [debugTCP.disconnect]: No connection to debug console: "Connection to debug console failed: '' (outStream status: 7, inStream status: 7)."
05:01:41.499 [debugTCP.disconnect]: No connection to debug console: "Connection to debug console failed: 'unknown error.' (outStream status: 0, inStream status: 0)."
05:01:41.499 [debugTCP.connect.failed]: Failed to connect to debug console at address 127.0.0.1:8563.
05:01:41.799 [loading.complete]: ========== Loading complete. ==========
05:02:02.211 [script.load.world.listAll]: Loaded 33 world scripts:
    Anarchies 2.5
    Annwn 1.0
    behemoth 2.6
    BGS-M 1.3.4
    Bounty Scanner 2.0 2.00
    Cabal_Common_Briefing 1.4.5
    Cabal_Common_Comms 1.4.5
    Cabal_Common_Functions 1.4.5
    Cabal_Common_Keyboard 1.4.5
    Cabal_Common_Music 1.4.5
    Cabal_Common_OXPStrength 1.4.5
    Caduceus Damage Control Node 2.0
    communist_population 2.11
    dictators.js 1.0
    Dynamic HUD with Cloak Sensing 1.02
    feudal-challenge.js 7.0
    feudal-mission.js 8.0
    feudal-planetfall.js 3.0
    feudal-promotion.js 5.0
    feudal-ranks.js 4.0
    feudal-tournament.js 8.0
    GalDrivePod_main_script 1.0
    Mauiby's Wormhole Drones 1.1
    oolite-cloaking-device 1.75.3
    oolite-constrictor-hunt 1.75.3
    oolite-nova 1.75.3
    oolite-thargoid-plans 1.75.3
    oolite-trumbles 1.75.3
    SE-main-script 2.3
    snoopers 2.1.1
    targetAutolock 1.11
    XeptatlsSword-Main 0.9.2
    XeptatlsSword-Main-Remover 0.1.15
05:02:28.828 [screenshot]: Saved screen shot "oolite-003.png" (1228 x 746 pixels).
05:02:36.343 [gameController.exitApp]: .GNUstepDefaults synchronized.

Closing log at 2011-10-23 05:02:36 +0000.

I installed from the same file that I had installed from on Natty. I've also noticed that it takes a lot longer to manage to resize the screen until it stops flickering and actually becomes usable. So my guess is that it might be something package that's changed in Ubuntu that's to blame. But I don't know, and those screenshots are reproduceable.

[SandJ]

That is identical to the visual effects I get on my rather old laptop which has too little RAM for graphics when playing graphically intensive games (specifically Emperor: Battle for Dune and BattleZone II). The solution was a better graphics card, i.e., play on a desktop.

So my guess is the later Ubuntu does not yet have the drivers your graphics configuration needs.

I made the personal decision to stick to stable releases of software for any environment where I care about the results. Gaming is one of those environments, hence I'm running 10.04 (Lucid) as is it is still the LTS version for Ubuntu.

As completely wussy answer from me (as opposed to a proper fix) I would suggest reporting it on the Ubuntu forums and running Oolite in an earlier version of Ubuntu until the problem is fixed.

[Kaks]

MdF, any chance you could upload your save game as a zip file to box.net, or similar service?
We'll see if we can reproduce it on our machines...

[Mauiby de Fug]

MdF, any chance you could upload your save game as a zip file to box.net, or similar service?
We'll see if we can reproduce it on our machines...

Sure, I'll do that later tonight!

That is identical to the visual effects I get on my rather old laptop which has too little RAM for graphics when playing graphically intensive games (specifically Emperor: Battle for Dune and BattleZone II). The solution was a better graphics card, i.e., play on a desktop.

So my guess is the later Ubuntu does not yet have the drivers your graphics configuration needs.

I made the personal decision to stick to stable releases of software for any environment where I care about the results. Gaming is one of those environments, hence I'm running 10.04 (Lucid) as is it is still the LTS version for Ubuntu.

As completely wussy answer from me (as opposed to a proper fix) I would suggest reporting it on the Ubuntu forums and running Oolite in an earlier version of Ubuntu until the problem is fixed.

If it turns out that lack of RAM is the eventual cause, it wouldn't surprise me. 'Tis an old borrowed laptop (as mine ceased to boot) with 1GB of RAM, running Ubuntu from an external hard drive via usb, as trying to use the Windows XP that's installed was driving me nuts. I might tolerate booting into Windows just to play on Oolite, but I'll probably try it out in the Lubuntu partition first. (Although I managed to get a kernel panic on that the other day - first time I've ever seen something like that!)

As far as LTS releases go, they aren't really "stable" releases. They just happen to be where the development had got to when it was time to stop and release. Okay, they are 'supported' for many years, but as far as I understand it, this is mainly for businesses and cases where people don't update operating systems or programs and prefer something fixed for long. If someone wants to actually be able to use the latest version of programs and such, they ought to be updating. (Or maybe enabling backports? Although I don't know how dodgy they are...) As such, I can't see why any normal user wouldn't update to Maverick. Updating from Maverick to Natty brought in the whole Unity thing (I quite like bits of Unity, believe it or not, but other things drive me up the wall), and Oneiric, whilst being a 'better' and apparently less buggy version of Unity, brought the change to Gnome 3. So I can sort of understand not doing those particular updates. I just like to have a fully updated system.

[Smivs]

@Sandj,
I recently had a problem.....Oolite wouldn't start, and my trying a re-install made things worse. After a day's misery and agony (and a selfless amount of help from PhantorGorth - Thanks again PG ) the conclusion was that one or more of the libraries Oolite needs was missing. I was running Lucid. An upgrade to Maverick cured the problems at a stroke.

[Zieman]

Could "OpenGL renderer version: 1.4.0" be the culprit?
Or has Oolite worked ok with same hardware & drivers previously?

[Mauiby de Fug]

Okay, this should be a link to the save game: http://www.box.net/shared/ddp2jcvuf7hza38o4ttn

Could "OpenGL renderer version: 1.4.0" be the culprit?
Or has Oolite worked ok with same hardware & drivers previously?

Well, it worked fine on the same hardware when I was running Natty. I know nothing about drivers. I just use whatever gets installed and haven't yet had a problem.