Michel Dänzer wrote, On 21/03/07 22:05:
I run xmms setuid root combined with the realtime-lsm kernel module to give xmms real-time priority (still not skip-proof when playing MP3 files across the LAN but much better than as a normal process contending with other activity).Thanks for conducting these tests. Hmm, do you run xmms as root or normal user? It's hard to imagine how libX11 could cause the symptoms you describe in the latter case...Selecting "play directory" from xmms in a directory with a large number of media files (e.g. 450 MIDI files) causes a *temporary* lock-up (no keyboard response or screen updates) whilst xmms looks at the large number of files. The real-time priority that xmms uses is unfortunately not restricted to what is needed for audio output.So it's possible that xmms enters an infinite loop (possibly in libX11) which due to its realtime priority prevents everything else from running? Can you try what happens if you run it without realtime priority?
I upgraded libx11-6, then before restarting X, did: chmod u-s `which xmms`then ran xmms, then selected "play directory" and experienced another complete lock-up, which required the big red switch.
Arthur.