I am retyping this post because it disappeared...and it was really long...

We use a linux machine to process survey data. To get to this program we boot the computer (Redhat 7.3) and a graphical login screen appears. Here we can choose to log into KDE or to the program (coda) as well as other options.

I went into KDE and changed network settings to bring them in line with the rest of the office pc's. I am building a linux file server to serve the windows xp machines which is going well...

I have only been using linux for just under 2 weeks and I don't know anything

opps ... I forgot about the problem

Well after changing the network setting I rebooted linux but I did not get the graphical login screen instead I got a text line login. I can put in my user name an password and I end up with a command line.

If I type startkde nothing happens. if I type startx i get a sort of desktop. blank background with command windows. If I type startkde in this I get kde but the command wiodows remain.

What has happened with the graphical login?

xdm runlevel in inittab file is 5...

I have searced the forum but have not found any answers

Please help... i don't know anything (about linux ...yet)

thanks

crazyswede

instead of startkde, type in xdm/kdm/gdm. then log out. i think that should be enough.

Thanks for the reply... there has been someother problems with the pc so it would not boot at all which I traced to the graphics card which I have fixed.

However the original problem is still there. I tried what you said but it said that the file or folder does not exist.

What do you think I should try now?

Please help... someone must know?

You can beat me with a stick later on!

I really want to learn linux, but I still got a lot to learn...

hi.
did you type it in as root?


disclaimer: i dont use any login manager, and i havent even been using my linuxbox too much of late.

Yes I did.... I logged in as root and typed it in as you said.

I then typed 'startx' and I got some weird desktop... wind several command windows and nothing else. In one of these I typed 'startkde' and it brings me into kde (not really normal) I can not find the folder that your line points to? If I try to logout it asks if I want to log out. It does not even give me the option to shut down??? When it logs out it takes me to the command login screen again.

I read you disclaimer, but I still appreciate you help

ok ... let's see now:
post your /etc/inittab file here.

next, find out if you have xdm/kdm/gdm on the system (either with rpm -qa or just hit the first 2 letters and <tab>, or just do a "which <name>". just to check if you have them installed.

also, if you are able to get into kde, there should be an option in your "preferences" under your "start" menu which says graphical login manager or something. i know this option is there in gnome, and expect it to be there in kde, so, just look for it.

ok, try my second post before the first one.

Hi,

When you changed the network settings make sure that you have the ip address and the host name of the machine that runs the X in the file "/etc/hosts". If the info of the machine are not in the file the Xserver does not know wich display should be lunched that's why you see a blank screen.

Also make sure you have not tampered with "iptables" tables cause it causes the same problem if you have blocked the access to the mahcine.

If the problem is with the kde itself(which I am quite doubtful) you can re-install the libraries and the kde again.

Also you can try "XFree86 -configure" this will create a new configuration file in root the move this file to "/etc/X11/" direcotry.

But I thing your problem is with network modification you have made to the machine.

Hope it would help.