i just got done installing debian, so now when i type 'startx' it gives me an error...' Fatal server error: addscreen screeninit failed driver 0 '

what does this mean, and how do i fix it?...ive been trying to figure this out for hours..ive been trying to get linux on my other comp, and its been taking soo soo long to get it running ~.~ someone please help.

Moving to the Debian Forum

Have you tried configuring X?

As root:
xf86config

And run through the bit. Post up info on your graphics hardware, and possible the results of:
lspci -v
lsmod

Cool

For me, I forget the name of the program (dpkg reconfigure xserver-xfree86 or some such), but I tried to configure X with vesa framebuffer support which it said shouldn't do any harm. I got the same error. After trying a few things I guessed and did 'vi /etc/X11/XF86Config-4' - which I don't think I'm supposed to, and changed the line on that to 'false' and X started right up.

This:

No idea if that'll work for you - it's sheer fluking miracle that it worked for me, but it's something.

-- Whoah - start to reply in one forum and end up in another. I tried xf86config but that didn't work - either it didn't include the 'fb' element or I missed it - tried xf86cfg and it kept crashing when I tried to do the mouse. So I went hunting around and found that file which referred to the dpkg thing 'dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86' and that got me almost all the way there. Then a manual edit like I say - but maybe that was just me.

well this is what i have configured in my /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 right now:

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Section "Device"
Identifier "Generic Video Card"
Driver "vga"
Option "UseFBDev" "true"

// i tried "false and it didnt work either ~.~' //

EndSection
--------------------------------------------------------------------


and here is my spci -v info on my vid card:

--------------------------------------------------------------------
00:08.0 VGA compatible controller: S3 Inc. 86c764/765 [Trio32/64/64v+] (rev 44) (prog-if 00 [VGA])
Flags: medium devsel
Memory at f8000000 (32-bit non-prefetchable)
--------------------------------------------------------------------

and i did a 'xf86config'....didnt work...stil had the same problem, at this point im kinda ticked off at my comp, or just mainly me for not know what to do , help me plz

ok i just finished reinstalling, and it still gave me the same error =\

The correct way to configure X is dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86, try that first and see if you can't get the right stuff picked.

ok it worked, one problem tho, when it goes to the logon screen, i type in my username and password (non-root) and it would act like it was going to load into desktop mode but instead my monior blinks once, then blinks again...then it brings me back to the logon screen... O.O ...i dont know what is going on here, but i cant get onto the desktop...anyone know whats wrong?

I've tried doing that, but it still didn't work. I'm on a Nvidia GeForce 4200 Ti. I configured it on AGP:1:0:0 (I only have one AGP port, which it's on). I have it configured with the nv driver, I'm gonna get the nvidia driver when I get X working. I get the same error, "Device not detected" whenever I try "startx".

o well..(5 hours later)..i finally got a distro to actully work!! knoppix!! >.< ..now all i got to do is install and run a ftp server =]], does anyone know any good ftp server programs that are newbie friendly??

(knowing the fact that im linux illiterate..)

Seems to be the latest thing to suggest vsftp

I've always had great luck with proftpd myself though. And if you weren't aware knoppix is Debian based, just gives you a head start

Cool

ok i got things up and running now, i thank you guys for all the help youve givin me =] =] =]

have one question tho =P

i know its possible to change the resolution in Xwindows mode...but is it possible to change the resolution withint the CLI?

Look into framebuffer devices - either searching the web or 'man fbset', 'man fbdev', etc. I don't know too much about it since it worked and I've been spending more time trying to learn about stuff that doesn't, but I've got 1024x768 and it can be modified by editing lilo.conf, though probably something like fbset is more appropriate? The Slack install asked if I wanted framebuffer support and I said 'Sure' and it said 'Okay' and that was that. However, your kernel and video card and so on have to support it and, if it isn't already set up, there's a lot of config to do, I think, so it can be quite complicated. Otherwise it's just 80 columns by 25 rows, pretty much.

I've tried setting the driver to fbset, but there was an error. Can anyone help me? It still says "No Screens Found". I used lynx to download the Nvidia driver. I tried installing it, but I don't know where the kernel source is. Would it be "apt-get install kernel-source...."?