[Bug 13530] Re: nvidia-glx crashes/lockups

[Emmet Hikory]

This bug appears to have become a catch-all for nVidia binary-driver
crashes.  For the subset that shows the symptoms that X hangs (100$
CPU), but the mouse works, I believe the cause is the handling of the
XRender extension.

    With the legacy drivers, this is done in software, and when XRender
crashes, the entire screen locks (and there is no useful debug
information due to nVidia drivers).  For these cards, try disabling the
Render extension (and disable RenderAccell in xorg.conf).

    With the newer drivers, this is done in hardware on the card, and
there seems to be a bug in the nVidia drivers causing huge increases in
heat generation when processing XRender and GL calls simultaneously.
When the thermal ceiling is hit, and the card slows, XRender processing
is also slowed or halted, causing an apparent freeze (and X looping
while waiting for feedback from the card).  For these cards, either
disable Render as above, underclock, or install additional cooling
hardware.

-- 
nvidia-glx crashes/lockups
https://launchpad.net/bugs/13530