Re: Problem starting X for first time
On Thu, 19 Nov 1998, Bret Craw wrote:
> I am new to Linux and was installing Debian 2.0 last night. It seemed to go
> well. Dselect gave me some problems, but with the help on this list, I was
> able to get that working. Once I log in as root and get the prompt, I type
> "startx" and it blanks the screen, then comes back with
>
> Fatal server error: No valid modes found
> _X11TransSocketUNIXConnect: Can't connect:errno=111
> giving up
> xinit: Connection refused (errno 111): unable to connect to X
> server
> xinit: No such process (errno 3): Server error.
>
> I have an S3 Virge w/ 4MB. Not sure what version. I tried running
> /usr/sbin/xbase-configure force and configuring it for a generic S3. I
> choose the Super VGA interlaced. It seems to work fine, but then when I am
> done and go back to the prompt, and startx again, same problem. Any
> suggestions would be great. If I need to alter anything by hand, please
> tell me how to do that. I really don't know what I am doing.
>
> Bret Craw
> Maintenance Renewal
>
The details above the "fatal server error" are the ones you need to send.
The ones you sent are more-or-less the generic "hey, you have a problem"
message.
Most of the "magic" for getting a running X system are in two files
(although others are important too). These files are /etc/X11/XF86Config
and /etc/X11/Xserver.
XServer - the first line should point to the server you want to run
(XF86_SVGA or XF86_VGA16 or etc). So double-check that line.
XF86Config - contains the specs for such things as your mouse and keyboard
and graphics card and video monitor, etc. I suspect that 90% of all
problems for a newbie getting X to run are video related.
You can read and study and tweak, which would be a good thing to do, but
you can probably get SOMETHING working by running (as root) either
XF86Setup (a graphical utility) or xf86config (text-based). I've found
that if one doesn't work, sometimes the other one will. I've also found
that I have better luck if I tell XF86Setup to NOT use my existing
XF86Config file as a starting point (it'll ask early on the in the
setup).
I suggest you start out choosing simple VGA in a simple mode like 640x480.
Once you know you can get SOMETHING, then you can go back and try for the
high resolution deep color depth modes.
Success to you!
--
Kent West
kent.west@infotech.acu.edu
KC5ENO - Amateur Radio: When all else fails.
Linux - Finally! A real OS for the Intel PC!
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