Unable to start KDE

Luca · 04-15-2002, 10:24 PM

For some reason I can't start up KDE in Mandrake 7.2 (yeah, I know its old) I just installed it (borrowing it from someone) and when I type startx I get the message (after numerous others, although I am not sure how to log them)

Fatal Error: No GLINT/PERMEDIA based card found. I'm pretty sure this has something to do with the graphics card, but I'm not sure why its not working

Computer Specs:

Soyo SY-K7VTA Pro
One AMD 1.2ghz Thunderbird
30gb Seagate Hard Drive (5 partitions, 3 windows, 2 Linux)
16x DVD
12x CD-Burner
384mb of PC133 RAM
an ATI Xpert98 8mb AGP 2x
an ATI Radeon PCI
(Dual Moniters)
IBM Keyboard
USB Mouse
USB Actiontec Call Waiting Modem

And, I think thats it. I tried the Radeon and the Xpert98 as the default cards in the BIOS, didn't seem to do anything. In particular it HAS a driver for the Xpert 98 (or at least the config program had it as an option) but it wouldn't load. I was thinking maybe it might have to do with the dual display (although it doesn't work in Linux as far as I can tell) but I'm not sure. Both the cards are working properly, that I'm sure of.

thanks in advance!

X11 · 04-16-2002, 12:01 AM

It seems like X-Windows is problem here, not KDE.

Tip: type xf86xonfig at the console and go through the config.
If that doesn't work after a few good tries post you're XF86Config-4 file from the directory /etc/X11/

BTW: Have you tried starting up in Gnome or a Window Manager (Window Maker, Blackbox, IceWM, FVWM)?

eg. type startx Gnome for Gnome.

Luca · 04-17-2002, 04:16 PM

What exactly is X-windows? I thought X-Windows and KDE were the same thing. Anyway, I ran the config program numerous times, but it never seemed to help. (I was logged in as root at the time, so I had the permissions to change everything) I also tried starting it with a normal user, but that didn't work either. How exactly would I post the config file onto here? (How do I open it for viewing) I'm still pretty new to all this, I'v never used a *nix environment before, so I'm not sure what to do =P'

Thanks in advance

neo77777 · 04-17-2002, 05:31 PM

Are you dual booting? Can you get to login prompt without X running, just plain console? I assume the answer is yes for both questions. Then try this:
login to your box as root
mount your windows partition (if you use Win32, not NT or XP over NTFS)
mount -tvfat /dev/hdxn /mount/point
now
cp /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 /mount/point/convinient/location.
Then boot to windows and open the file with your fav editor in windows. And post it over here.

Aforementioned was assumed you have dual boot system (linux and Win32, with win32 + internet access), you have defined /mount/point for your windows partitions, and you know which ones they are /dev/hda1...n, /dev/hdb1...n etc.

neo77777 · 04-17-2002, 05:36 PM

I just realized you're using old mandy, substitute XF86Config-4 with XF86Config

DMR · 04-17-2002, 08:51 PM

It sounds like XFree86 is using the wrong driver(s) for your ATI cards. As far as I know, the glint/permedia drivers are for 3DLabs' cards, not ATI's.

If the config program didn't help, you'll have to do something similar to what neo77777 suggested in terms of getting the XF86Config file on to the system that you connect to the Net with, and then copy the file from a text editor and paste it here.

If your Net system is a physically different box, insert a DOS floppy into the Linux box, mount it, and copy the config file to it:

Code:

mkdir /mnt/floppy (if the /mnt/floppy directory doesn't exist)

mount -t msdos /dev/fd0 /mnt/floppy

cp /etc/X11/XF86Config /mnt/floppy (if XF86Config doesn't live in/etc/X11, subsitute the correct path)

umount /mnt/floppy (you must unmount the floppy before ejecting it)

You can then take the floppy to a Windows box and open it with a text editor.

Luca · 04-17-2002, 10:09 PM

When I copied the config files to me C drive, they were empty, I don't know why =(

I talked to a friend who uses linux, and he said that a lot of problems like this are fixed in 8.2, so he's gonna give me that tommorow, and I'm gonna see how that works out =P Anyway, thanks for all your help

KayJay · 04-18-2002, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Luca
When I copied the config files to me C drive, they were empty, I don't know why =(

I talked to a friend who uses linux, and he said that a lot of problems like this are fixed in 8.2, so he's gonna give me that tommorow, and I'm gonna see how that works out =P Anyway, thanks for all your help

doesnt has anything to do with your distro. I think u messed up mounting your drive that's all. read the manual about mounting drives first.
or if the config file were empty, it probaby has something to do with permissions.