Can not get to a graphical UI after boot

[Tiggs]

I wanted to join the Linux bandwagon and figured I should start out with something that has the least configureation as possible. I found Knoppix. A Compaq Presario and 700mb ISO later, I was on my way to installing my first Linux OS. I followed this really detailed guide (http://articles.linmagau.org/modules...tid=181&page=1)
and got up to step 7, where I installed everything, and can login in to root. Its great and all, but I really would like to see a Graphical UI. Saddly, this isn't the case, because nothing I type in gets me anywhere, and according to the walk through mentioned above, Knoppix starts a GUI automatically. I can't figure for the life of me how to get in.

Any help would be apprecieated, thanks.

[sn0wflake]

What do you type and what error messages do you see?

[Tiggs]

Thats the thing, I'm really not sure what to type. I've done some Googling in the mean time and tried:

kdm - Screen flashes for a few seconds and returns back to the command prompt.
startkde - I get a bunch of KDwhatevers and then "Kpersonalizer: cannot connect to X server".
startx - Fatal server error: no screens found, a blank screen, then "X10: fatal IO x10 error, 104 (Connection reset by peer)

I just want to get into the same thing I could using the Knoppix boot cd.

[sn0wflake]

Can you boot Knoppix from CD? If so, and KDE works, try saving /etc/X11/X11Config to a removable media, like a floppy. Then boot Knoppix from harddisk and overwrite the "bad" X11Config file. This trick worked very well for me while Ghosting severeal PC's.

[Tiggs]

Can you boot Knoppix from CD? If so, and KDE works, try saving /etc/X11/X11Config to a removable media, like a floppy. Then boot Knoppix from harddisk and overwrite the "bad" X11Config file. This trick worked very well for me while Ghosting severeal PC's.

I'm pretty sure I'm browsing the CD, but I cant seem to find X11Config. The closest thing in /ect/X11 is something called XF86Config. Should I use that? And, if it I do use that, how do I copy something from one place to another from a floppy using the command line?

[Stephen]

Thats the thing, I'm really not sure what to type. I've done some Googling in the mean time and tried:

kdm - Screen flashes for a few seconds and returns back to the command prompt.
startkde - I get a bunch of KDwhatevers and then "Kpersonalizer: cannot connect to X server".
startx - Fatal server error: no screens found, a blank screen, then "X10: fatal IO x10 error, 104 (Connection reset by peer)

I just want to get into the same thing I could using the Knoppix boot cd.

Try at the kdm screen selecting kde3 from the session menu instead of the default that is preselected.

[sn0wflake]

My bad /etc/X11/XF86Config is the correct file. BTW, do you know what graphics card you have?

[Stephen]

My bad /etc/X11/XF86Config is the correct file. BTW, do you know what graphics card you have?

No it is not the correct file is /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 when using Xfree86 4.? on Debian/Knoppix.

[gowator]

This stands a 50% chance of working in about 5 mins so its worth a go.

1) At the terminal as root
ps -ef ¦grep kdm
find the pid and then
kill -9 <PID>

You need to kill this becuase it is respawning X and it won't let you start another...

then, still as root type
XFree86 -configure (it could be --configure)
This creates a file in /root called xf86config.new (or similar, it will actually tell you)
then type
startx - (or --) xf86config=/root/xf86config.new

If this works ....
CTRL+ALT+BKSPC and stop X
then
cp /etc/X11/XF86config /etc/X11/XF86config.orig
cp /etc/X11/XF86config-4 /etc/X11/XF86config-4.orig
cp /root/xf86config.new /etc/X11/XF86config

then type
/etc/init.d/kdm start
(you might need to look for the actual file, its something like kdm)
and theres a space before the start.

[Stephen]

XFree86 -configure (it could be --configure)

cd /root
X --configure