I cannot get the xserver set up. When I do apt-get, it comes across with a message about xdm not being configured. I try to configure that with no luck. I really don't know what I'm trying to configure with the error message. Cannot startx because xdm is not configured, is pretty much the error. I had it to the kde login screen once but then it froze up and nothing. So I reinstalled with a diffenert download and got pretty much the same thing but with no kde screen. I need help configuring. This is what was done so far.
apt-get update
apt-get install x-window-system
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86
This got me nowhere but the screen blinked a few time and then the error.

apt-get update
apt-get install xserver-common xserver-xfree86

I reinstalled with doing all of the packages this time so everything that is needed should be there. Now the only message is xdm is not configured. Help with this issue, please.

Hi

Try dpkg-reconfigure xdm

Sls

I did that with no success. I did do this to now change the error.
xf86config at the prompt and had to reconfigure something and now I get this error. Screens found but none have a usable configuration. Fatal server error. No screens found.
What to do now?

It sounds to me like something is wrong with /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 . You might want to check some documentation online about that file and make sure everything is set up right - I would guess that the most likely problem is with the video - what video card do you have, and what video driver is X set to use (if you know how to check)? The video driver is set in that config file, look for a section in that file that gives details on your video device.

By the way, after you change your X config, you can restart xdm by typing (as root) "/etc/init.d/xdm stop" (to make sure it's stopped) then "/etc/init.d/xdm start".

You could try using KDM instead of XDM.
Just a thought.

XFree86 writes a log file into /var/log/ every time it starts (or attempts to start). Studying this file often gives a clue about the nature of the problem in your Xserver configuration. Especially lines that start with (WW) or (EE) are useful in troubleshooting. Often you can just jump to the end of this file and if there is a line that begins with (EE), then the error mentioned on that line is usually the one that caused X Window System to crash.

For successful X configuration you need to know at least the model of your graphics card and preferably also the horizontal and vertical refresh values for your monitor. Running the "X -configure" command should create a XF86Config.new file, which you can study to see if XFree86 has autodetected the correct driver for your graphics card. You may find (if you're lucky) the refresh values for your monitor by doing a google search with keywords "<your_monitor's_model> horizontal vertical" or something like that.

If you've got this information you can do "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86" again and you should have good chances to get a working X configuration.

Now I've set everything to what I know it to be as. nvidia riva tnt2 model64, v-60.3, h-37.8, 1280x1024 is the max resolution, 24 bit color,
I've even tried lower ones. The one thing that I don't know is the video card memory. I think that is it - it lists 256, 512,1024,2048 and 4096 and other. I've choosen 256,512 and 1024. with the same result. Anything i've missed? Please help configure xserver.

Hmm.. you don't tell which Debian version you're trying to install and what error messages (in /var/log/XFree86.0.log) you get. But apparently you've got Kanotix, Mandrake, and RetHat installed -- with a working X configuration, I assume. This means that you should be able to get X working also in Debian.

I'd suggest that you try the new Sarge installer http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/ and use the latest 2.6 kernel. I don't personally need nvidia driver but I think XFree86 comes with some version of this driver. You can use google or the search engine here at Linuxquestions.org to find out how the official (proprietary) nvidia driver is installed.

If you've got a PS/2 or ImPS/2 mouse, you'll probably want to use "/dev/input/mice" as the mouse device in X configuration, then add "psmouse" to the /etc/modules file and reboot. Sometimes this solves mysterious X problems.

The Rive TNT2 video card is listed and selected. Will try the mice/mouse thing. Can't I just copy the file from either mandrake, kanotix or red hat to the debian one to get it to work?

Might be worth a try, especially with Kanotix since it's based on Debian Unstable. A good habit is never to delete the original files -- instead you can rename them with .orig ending so you can restore them in case something goes wrong.

I haven't done this (since I configured it by hand) but some people boot Knoppix and then they just copy /etc/X11/XF86Config (or /etc/X11/XF86Config-4) to their Debian partiton! Just don't forget to mount it first before you copy it over...

y2k

I'll give it a try and post back. Thanks.

That did not work. I still get the same error message.

I found a HOWTO that recommends the "xdebconfigurator" tool (which uses RedHat's "kudzu" hardware-detection) for auto-configuring X. If nothing else seems to work, you should try this before giving up.

http://wiki.debian.net/index.cgi?DebianDesktopHowTo

So how do I go about installing the xdebconfigurator 3000xyz when I am at the debian root prompt? apt-get -f install xdebconfigurator after a apt-get update. Kanotix also has that tool.