Linux Newb X server probs

FWSquatch · 01-17-2006, 01:16 PM

I'm brand new at this and I'm a little confused. I have Debian sarge running and I'm desperately trying to get a desktop installed. The problem I have is with my X server. anytime I try to run it, I get the message: Fatal Server Error: failed to initialize core devices. I thought my probs were video, but it seems to be my mouse.

It says skipping this and that (no symbols found) and then I see these three lines:

(EE) xf86OpenSerial: Cannot open device /dev/input/mice
No such device.
(EE) Configured Mouse: Cannot open input device
(EE) PreIntit failed for input device "Configured Mouse"
No core pointer

I'm assuming this means my mouse is set up wrong. I've tried editing the xf86config file a few times but I'm not sure what I'm doing. I'm using an HP Omnibook xe3 with a plain old 2 button, scroll wheel mouse (non usb). Any ideas?

anti.corp · 01-17-2006, 01:38 PM

Hi,

Try typing this in a terminal (as root)

Code:

dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86

Pick advanced option.

Say 'yes' to emulate 3 buttons mouse.

Pick /dev/psaux for port connection.

Now just restart your displaymanager using

Code:

/etc/init.d/kdm restart

Replacing 'kdm' with 'gdm' depending what you are using: Gnome og KDE

FWSquatch · 01-17-2006, 02:04 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried that, but still got the same error. Any other ideas?

anti.corp · 01-17-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWSquatch

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried that, but still got the same error. Any other ideas?

Try posting the pointersection of your x conf. inhere. Makes it easier to help you out.

FWSquatch · 01-17-2006, 03:16 PM

I have 2 config files, not sure which is which. One is XF86Config and the other is XF86Config-4.

Section "Input Device"

Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons"

End Section

The only difference I saw between the two (besides the commented lines on one and not the other, is that the -4 file had one more line:
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"

anti.corp · 01-17-2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWSquatch

I have 2 config files, not sure which is which. One is XF86Config and the other is XF86Config-4.

Section "Input Device"

Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons"

End Section

The only difference I saw between the two (besides the commented lines on one and not the other, is that the -4 file had one more line:
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"

Hi,
It's the ' XF86Config-4.' file.

Try changing so it looks like this:

Quote:

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Protocol" "PS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

FWSquatch · 01-17-2006, 03:56 PM

It looks like we're getting somewhere. I now only have two errors show up in the log

. When I try to start X it gives me Fatal Server Error: no screens found

It contains the lines:

Data incomplete in file /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
Undefined InputDevice "Configured Mouse" referenced by ServerLayout "Default Layout"
(EE) Problem parsing the config file
(EE) Error from xf86HandleConfigFile()

BTW, I really appreciate your quick responses!

FWSquatch · 01-17-2006, 04:12 PM

So, I went in and changed the words "Generic Mouse" to "Configured Mouse" to see if that might make it happier and it seemed to do just that. Now X fires up--I think--cuz it goes through the motions of doing something and then settles on a black screen. I'm going to play with my vid settings since I was screwing with them earlier today in an effort to fix the prob. Thanks for the help!

lestoil · 01-17-2006, 05:06 PM

what mouse,video card and monitor do you have? The right info will help in X config.

FWSquatch · 01-17-2006, 07:30 PM

I'm using an HP Omnibook XE3 laptop (which I left at work today). I don't know what type of video card it has in it. The mouse is some sort of Logitech that came with my Dell desktop. It's a normal PS/2 two buttons and a scroll wheel. I restarted the computer and it loads up Debian fine and then when it tries to jump into gnome I see a flash of a Debian logo (maybe a desktop bgd?) and then it goes completely black. I am able to get to the shell by pushing ctrl-alt-F1 and I've kind of been stumbling around guessing at settings in the xf86config setup wizard-type thingy.

FWSquatch · 01-18-2006, 08:59 AM

OK, I feel like I'm getting close. I just have a few more questions. How do I find out what my monitor's HorizSync and VertRefresh are? I have long since thrown the manual for this laptop out. I got a little help from this page, but I'm still not exactly sure what my config file should look like. Right now, it looks like this:

Code:

Section "Device"
        Identifier      "Generic Video Card"
        Driver          "vesa"
End Section

Section "Monitor"
        Identifier      "Generic Monitor"
        HorizSync       30-60
        VertRefresh     50-75
End Section

Section "Screen"
        Identifier      "Default Screen"
        Device          "Generic Video Card"
        Monitor         "Generic Monitor"
        DefaultDepth    24
Subsection "Display"
         Depth              1
         Modes              "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
Subsection "Display"
         Depth              4
         Modes              "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
Subsection "Display"
         Depth              8
         Modes              "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
Subsection "Display"
         Depth              15
         Modes              "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
Subsection "Display"
         Depth              16
         Modes              "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
Subsection "Display"
         Depth              24
         Modes              "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

anti.corp · 01-18-2006, 09:21 AM

Hi,

HorizSync 31.5 - 57.0
VertRefresh 50-70

More info can be found here:
http://homex.subnet.at/~max/comp-05_...book-xe3.shtml
and
http://www.perron.ch/cms/index.php?page=xe3

Enjoy

FWSquatch · 01-18-2006, 10:54 AM

I redid my config file to match one of the links you showed me and it works now! Thanks a lot for all your help. I'm sure I'll be asking you all more questions as I explore.