Comment 6 for bug 200086

I can also confirm this. ATi 9800. I prefer to use the open drivers since video playback is better with them in comparison to the fglrx, and compiz worked very well with them in the past.

1. ensure compiz is disabled in Appearance.
2. Uninstall fglrx using the restricted drivers manager.
3. restart is needed.
4. open up visual effects and try to enable effects, it doesn't matter if you select normal/extra/custom
5. the password prompt pops up
6. once the password has been entered the fglrx driver is automatically downloaded and installed, with no prompt.
7. a notification appears with "Please run "Apperance/Desktop Effects" again after restarting the computer, when the new graphics driver is active."

i can post up my xorg.conf if needed, also note the misspelling of "Appearance"

although i see the point that compiz will work 'better' with the fglrx drivers, they should not be required.