X Window Software won't open on Redhat9
 

Hi,

I have an interesting problem that keeps me from using my beloved linux system. Sometimes when I am using my RH9 system, the X Window applications cannot be opened. When I try launching one from the K menu, the cursor changes to the icon of the program, and returns to normal after a little while. No matter how long I wait it doesn't open. When I try launching an app from the console, I receive the following error:
[/tmp]: xpdf
Error: Can't open display: :0

Similarly, when I type xvinfo, I receive the following error:
[/tmp]: xvinfo
xvinfo: Unable to open display :0

Then I try to logoff in order to restart the pc. That's when I receive another error saying it is impossible to connect to the X server and whether I want to see the log file. Finally, being overwhelmed by all these errors I find solace in the three finger salute which makes the penguin reboot in agony (I hate to close a linux os. It doesn't feel right. I think there shouldn't be an such an option, and the only way to do that must be to press the restart button on the case.)

As you see I am in pain. These singularities happen in an entirely arbitrary fashion, and sometimes they don't even though the computer is left open for a long time.

Where do you suspect the problem is? Is it the X server?
Should I provide more information? If yes, how?

Thanks for your time and concern,
bibby

Can you please post the contents of the logfile it asked you to view?

It seems that the cause of the problem is a font. The log file says that a font is corrupt.
Also I have to point another peculiarity. When I shut down the computer, RH tries to stop an application called Cannaserver.
When I restart when this curious bug happens, the stopping cannaserver item states:
Cannot connect with cannaserver unix. [FAILED]

Any ideas now? Can fonts go bad? I am new to linux but I have a lot of experience with windows. And in windows, fonts never go bad!

What shall I do?

Thanks!

It couldn't hurt to reinstall the package that the font is from, but I'd be surprised if a font is enough to keep X from starting. Just because somehing is the last line doesn't mean it's the cause of the problem. If you could still post the last 50 or so lines from the logfile, that'd be great.

As for the cannaserver, it sounds like something in your startup scripts. I'm on Slack, not Redhat, so I'm not sure where they are for you (try /etc/init.d/ maybe?). You'll want to go through and comment out (put a # at the beginning of the line) all references to cannaserver in those.