I originally had Linux Mint Running 4.3 without using Compiz, then decided to try it. Downloaded needed packages, run compiz-icon in autostart editing out the no desktop part, then rebooted. The fun begins now!

At first boot everything seemed ok, except the pager, which was 1 large monitor instead of 4. Restarted window manager and that was ok. I thought I had it licked, then reboot again, and the same thing again!.

This time I disabled the effects for KDE and that seemed to work, at least I thought it did. I rebooted again thinking maybe something would reset. This time it booted up fine, but compiz, cube initiate pulses in and out and almost strobe like. Exit one more time, and reboot.

This time whole screen went black with just my pointer showing! Tried the ctrl alt and backspace which works on mint, and still black. Reboot again and the screen is normal, which the problems I started with.

I am open to any and all advice you may have. Thanks ahead!

Have you gone to System Settings > Default Applications > Window Manager and selected Compiz?

Yes, I did try that, in fact that is when it did it. At first, I got an error when changing to Compiz, so I shut off compiz since I guess it was reading it as window manager already.

Once I enabled it, everything went down hill from there. KDE effects runs perfectly with the exception of some games running in wine will disable it. As far as the pulsing, not sure what is going on there. I did encounter that on Gnome also 1 time, so I am taking it as a Compiz issue.

I am interested in a simple setup process just in case I am doing it in the wrong order or something, or if my autostart fusion-icon is all I need. Thanks!

KDE should handle starting Compiz automatically if you have that setting selected in System Settings. So yes, you have done everything required.

The issue with the pager is likely because Compiz does not follow the KDE virtual desktops configuration, and must be configured seperately.