Hi !!
I am trying to get Fedora Core2 up and going so I can learn. That version comes from a text book, "The Complete Guide to Linux System Administration" by Nicholas Wells. I tried this system on a couple of older machines, with no success. Now, I'm working with a new Dell Dimension 3000 with a P4 processor and 512MB Ram. Monitor is a Samsung SyncMaster 955DF. I added a second hard drive (13GB)for Linux. It appears to install OK but when booting up (dual boot works) it will not open X. Error message says:
dhcppc1 login: Window manager error: Unable to open X display :1
Next, I went through the boot up in interactive mode. All messages were "OK" until it came to loading the X server.
Error messages:
XIO: fatal IO error 104 (Connection reset by peer) on X server "1.0" after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 events remaining.
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "usr/share/firstboot/firstboot.py", line 200, in ?
import firstbootWindow
File "usr/share/firstboot/firstbootWindow.py", line 28, in ?
import gtk
File usr/src/build/375621-i386/install/usr/lib/python2.3/
site-packages/gtk-2.0/gtk/__init__.py", line 43, in ?
RuntimeError: Could not open display

I sure hope someone can help decipher this puzzle.
Thanks for listening.
Al Walker

when you installed did you give the installer the correct info on your video card?

even so.. it seems that that verion of fed may be tooo old for your system.

however, all might not be lost if you choose very conservitive settings -- like svga at 1024 x 780 or something similar when the question comes up.

however double check your systems specs, because you COULD damage a video card/monitor by setting it to a freq that it is not made to handle.

good luck, lettuce know..

The installer probed the video and monitor correctly, I believe. I don't remember setting anything for the video. I just accepted the defaults. The system seems to work in text mode, but the X server will not load. I was told elsewhere that there could be a conflict with the onboard Intel graphics chips. Have you heard anything about such an event?

your version of fed sounds pretty old.. are you SURE that it has the drivers for your video card?

it is possible the installer has a generic driver that worked.. and either may not be on the hard disk after intallation, or you are not telling the installer the correct settings.

i reallly think you need to get an updated driver.. which you can do in text mode-- if you can get your net work card working (again, i doubt this because fed2 is sooo old compared to your p4).

I've done some searching and found a couple of error messages in the log that I think are pertinant:
(EE) I810(0) No Video BIOS modes for chosen depth
(EE) Screen(s) found, but none have a usable configuration

Located in the file, /etc/X11/Xorg.conf
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
VendorName "Monitor Vendor"
ModelName "Syncmaster"
DisplaySize 360 270
HorizSync 30.0 - 85.0
VertRefresh 50.0 - 160.0
Option "dpms"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Videocard0"
Driver "i810"
VendorName "Videocard Vendor"
BoardName "Intel 865"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Videocard0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Viewport 0 0
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

I won't pretend I understand what all of these things are but does anyone see anything that would cause problems? What about that DisplaySize of 360 270? Please advise.

you said you didn't select anything when installing.. well why not try it again?

either that or you'll have to try xf86config or xorgconfig depending on your system.

if you have xf86config, then you will (probabaly) have to copy the finished file from: /etc/X11/XF86Config to /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 for it to take effect.

also i'v found out that restarting the system is sometimes required for new settings to take effect... but just try: startx anyway first and see.

you will also need to know your cards name for when the question comes up about video cards..

either that or choose a VERY conserative selection, or you could cook your monitor.

also you need to know where the mouse is.. usually it is: /dev/psaux.. but dont' quote me.

double check your specs and either reinstall, or try what i just suggested from the command line.

let us know..

OK, I've reinstalled everything. This install routine does not ask about a video card, it automatically sees an Intel 865. This must be the embedded video chips on the motherboard of this Dell Dimension 3000. No questions about the location of the mouse either. I have tried xstart from the command line, but I get the same error messages. Part of the previously mentioned config statements came from xorg.conf. I am able to do anything that I've tried from the command line, except start the x server. The instructor at school lectures (reads) from the powerpoint slides that came with his teachers version of the textbook. They are running the Intel 845 chipset and seem to have no problems. The white box units at school work and mine does not. I'm very discouraged and tempted to drop this class.

al don't give up!!

first remember i told you earlier on that you are using a VERY old os for your new computer!! I am suprised you got into text mode!!

have you tried xf86config or xorgconfig (it's probably xf86config seeing it is an old fed2 your working with).

give that a wirl-- with VERY convervative settings (ie svga, or even vga... just enuff to get you into x).

becareful with your video cards settins however.. you can fry your monitor if it is 'pushed' beyond it's frequencies..

there may be a 'generic' setting in there for your brand (you did say the install prog had a decent monitor setting, did nt' you?).

your mouse is *probably* on /dev/psaux when it asks. if not you will need to play around with that one too or x will not boot without (thinking) there is a pointing device correctly attached.

anyway al the worst thing that can happen is you have to go buy another book with a newer version of linux, so it will work on your pc... or download a newer linux.

but remember your pc is very new so there may not be the drivers ready for it yet... however there is NORMALY a generic one that will get you buy, but without the 'bells & wistles'..

again don't give up-- the penguin needs us to smash windoze!!

I have no idea what your I-net connection bandwidth is, but you might try downloading a newer version of fedora core (if that is what you choose to use). It would probably suit your newer compy better.

http://fedora.redhat.com/

I agree, unless you have a good reason to stick with Fedora Core 2 there's no reason you shouldn't install a newer version and take advantage of all the progress.

I'm still trying to get someone at school to download and burn FC4 onto CDs. I do wonder about this as the school has brand new P4 3.0GHz machines that loaded FC2 with no problems. The one difference I see is the school is running the Intel 845 video chip set while my machine has the Intel 865 chips. Maybe I should try to resurect my old Infotel 200MHz Pentium machine.

Fedora is a _very bad distro_! Learn. Try Debian or Slackware. They have fab documantation and community support. (Oh,one more thing... I think this will get moved to newbie soon...)

why is that, everyone new at LQ is called noob until they get 100 posts or whatever.

this person needs to get his ONLY version installed, until he can get a better one-- it is NOT his fault and doesn't mean he's noobie

Thank you for your support, Halvy. I am attempting to use this distro because it came with the textbook being used for class. I need this distro to match the topics etc. that are in the book. The school has FC2 running on their new machines. The main difference that I see is they have Intel 845 video chips and I have Intel 865 chips. Linux is "new" to the school, the instructor, and me. We are all trying to learn. The "Linux community" is reknown worldwide for it's willingness to share knowledge. That is why I am here. And after I get up to speed, I hope to assist others. So, to all of you attempting to assist me with my issues, THANK YOU !!!

Moved: This thread is more suitable in Fedora-Installation and has been moved accordingly to help your thread/question get the exposure it deserves.