when attemoting to start X-windows it hangs and returns to the console, unless attenpting start using "init 4", then it simply hangs. When using gdm I get an error that says that it cannot start x-server. upon checking the log as it offers it lists
Fatal Server Error:
could not open default font 'fixed'

does anyone know how to fix this?

You seem to be missing some default x-font-* packages.

Have you upgraded / removed some packages lately?
Has X11 worked before?

As long as you have your font problem neither using gdm/kdm/xdm nor startx nor "init 4" will work.

You have a broken X setup.
While trying to fix it, just check with "startx" as root.

If you want help, you need to give more detailed information.

i have same problem here.
pls help me.

my system (xserver worked well.)but suddenly crashed.

mandrake10.0



#startx -- :2

LAST FEW OUTPUT.

> Warning: Symbol map for key <AB08> redefined
> Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning: Symbol map for key <AB09> redefined
> Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning: Symbol map for key <AB10> redefined
> Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning: Symbol map for key <BKSL> redefined
> Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning: Symbol map for key <LCTL> redefined
> Using last definition for conflicting fields
> Warning: Symbol map for key <SPCE> redefined
> Using last definition for conflicting fields
Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
Could not init font path element unix/:-1, removing from list!

Fatal server error:
could not open default font 'fixed'

When reporting a problem related to a server crash, please send
the full server output, not just the last messages.
This can be found in the log file "/var/log/XFree86.2.log".
Please report problems to xfree86@xfree86.org.

XIO: fatal IO error 104 (Connection reset by peer) on X server ":2.0"
after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 events remaining.
[root@localhost root]#




[root@localhost root]# cat /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
# File generated by XFdrake.

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the XF86Config man page for details about the format of
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

Section "Files"
# Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (they are concatenated together)
# By default, Mandrake 6.0 and later now use a font server independent of
# the X server to render fonts.
FontPath "unix/:-1"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
#DontZap # disable <Crtl><Alt><BS> (server abort)
#DontZoom # disable <Crtl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> (resolution switching)
AllowMouseOpenFail # allows the server to start up even if the mouse doesn't work
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "dbe" # Double-Buffering Extension
Load "v4l" # Video for Linux
Load "extmod"
Load "type1"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx" # 3D layer
Load "dri" # direct rendering
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Keyboard1"
Driver "Keyboard"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "en_US"
Option "XkbOptions" ""
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Mouse1"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/mouse"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "6 7"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "monitor1"
VendorName "Plug'n Play"
ModelName "Compaq 7500 Color Monitor"
HorizSync 30-70
VertRefresh 50-140

# Sony Vaio C1(X,XS,VE,VN)?
# 1024x480 @ 85.6 Hz, 48 kHz hsync
ModeLine "1024x480" 65.00 1024 1032 1176 1344 480 488 494 563 -hsync -vsync

# TV fullscreen mode or DVD fullscreen output.
# 768x576 @ 79 Hz, 50 kHz hsync
ModeLine "768x576" 50.00 768 832 846 1000 576 590 595 630

# 768x576 @ 100 Hz, 61.6 kHz hsync
ModeLine "768x576" 63.07 768 800 960 1024 576 578 590 616
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "device1"
VendorName "Intel Corporation"
BoardName "Intel 845"
Driver "i810"
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "screen1"
Device "device1"
Monitor "monitor1"
DefaultColorDepth 16

Subsection "Display"
Depth 8
Virtual 1024 768
EndSubsection

Subsection "Display"
Depth 15
Virtual 1024 768
EndSubsection

Subsection "Display"
Depth 16
Virtual 1024 768
EndSubsection

Subsection "Display"
Depth 24
Virtual 1024 768
EndSubsection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "layout1"
InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse1" "CorePointer"
Screen "screen1"
EndSection
[root@localhost root]#

Bruse,

This is an (old) Slackware thread you've replied to. You'll probably get a better answer if you start a thread in the Mandriva forum.

Change that to:and see if works.

i have checked but not working.

Take a look at /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fs/config to see if you have the correct path to your fonts. Also have a look at xfs.log to see if you find any error.

i did not change anythink but i found it.
the error is somethink related to xserver packages.
i know i did not anythink but i reinstalled the xserver packages.
nowworking well.