Hmmm, I create the files and checked they were there but when I reboot the X server still messes up.. So I checked to see if the files were there after the reboot and they'd gone.. Tried 3 times now..

haha, woah... never heard of disappearing files before. this i believe is over my head. i'm not quiet sure where to look. hmm maybe one of the other more knowledgeable users will read and help out. I'd love to see how the problem and solution turn out. but i believe that we've found a major part of the problem. so, please explain what you did in some detail.

oh! check that NVidia log, what does it say? Still the same or has it changed?

when you created the files:
1. where there any error messages?
2. did you check to make sure they were there once you ran all the commands i gave you(under root).

during reboot:
1. maybe there was an error loading the files?
2. maybe something accidentally deleted them?
3. (for humor, cuz i'm stuck) maybe aliens abducted them?

anyone else have any ideas?

Hmm I didn't check the nvidia log I'll have to do that if I try again.. I did check the X server log however and that was the same as before..

There were no errors when creating the files.. I tried both sets of commands as root and yes I did check and the files were definately there..

I did not see any messages during reboot that I don't usually see (errors with the files etc)..

Aliens.. hmm.. good point.. lol

I have an idea which would narrow it down, but it probably creates more work than it prevents.

Do you have a knoppix cd? if so, try booting into it. mounting your current debian partition. and checking to see if the files are still there. if they aren't, then it means that something removes them during the shutdown sequence. if they are, then it means something removes them during the reboot sequence. mandrakemove would work too if you already have it. besides, i highly advise having knoppix around for those special moments when your computer decides it doesn't want to boot from your hard drive.

Ok I'll do that now.. Good idea btw

Although what I did just do is create the files but not change the X server setup (so the nvidia module wouldn't be loading etc) and the files were still removed.. So it's debian removing them not the nvidia module.. Gonna try a live cd now..

Created the files but they weren't there when I checked using my live cd..

in a way that is very good news. it means that something between you creating the files and shutting down is helping you out and removing the files. (aren't computers soo helpful sometimes). that removed a massive area that the error could have been... the startup...

soo, try this:
add the files, change XF86Config-4 to the nvidia driver, make sure the two modules GLcore and the other one are either deleted totally or commented out with an '#' before the word load. then type 'startx' or 'init 5'. then tell me the result.

i can't think of a single thing that would try to remove nvidia dev files while the pc is shutting down... the only other thing i can think of is to try to remove the nvidia driver and try to reinstall it. oh, did you use the official installer or that one guys script?

Ok here's what I did..

Created files
Modified the X server config file
Rebooted
X server failed
Created files
Ran startx
X server loaded fine

So it is these files.. And I used the official installer..

Now seems as good time as any to update what problems I've still got left with Debian and see if anyone can still lend a hand?

Nvidia problem which is above..

There's still missing icons that the gnome menu should show but doesn't and k3b complains that the icons are not there.. Does anyone else have this problem on debian? Do I need to install a specific package etc?

How can I configure the network setup in debian so that it gets an IP from the DHCP server but doesn't get the nameservers... Or at least I can override the nameservers? It thinks the DHCP server IP is a nameserver which is wrong..

Finally, can I configure the display resolution and refresh rate of the login manager?

as for the nvidia driver problem. the log is saying that loading the nvidia kernel module failed.

check to see if the driver module is loaded

lsmod lists all the kernel modules that your system has loaded and grep pulls out the lines that contain the string nvidia (make sure that rivafb is not loaded using the same command, but replace nvidia with rivafb). if the nvidia kernel module is not loaded, i suggest reinstalling the driver. do

i suspect that something went wrong during the driver install last time. answer no to "get precompiled module from ftp" and allow the installer to compile the nvidia driver. now, try to start up gdm.

make sure you boot your system using the same kernel that you build the driver on. if x still fails, post the xfree86 error log here again. also post "/etc/XF86Config-4" and "/var/log/nvidia-installer.log".

No, I didn't have this problem. It should install perfectly. There is no specific package for the icons, afaik.

This should be done automatically. You can configure the nameserver in /etc/resolv.conf.
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86
BTW the display resolution of the login manager should be same as the resolution of your desktop environment (they are both using the X Server)


What is your Debian version? Are you using stable, testing or unstable? Testing almost worked perfectly on my computer.

Icons should be installed automatically. You can open synaptic and check and see if you have "kdeartwork-theme-icon" installed: http://packages.debian.org/testing/k...ork-theme-icon The /etc/resolv.conf file is overwritten upon each boot up when using dhcp. You can change this by editing /etc/dhclient.conf. Open the file and uncomment the line: Replace "127.0.0.1" with the address on the nameserver you want listed in resolv.conf. It has the same resolution and refresh rate that KDE and Gnome use. You set it in /etc/X11/XF86Config-4

Thanks for the replies.. If I have 2 nameservers would I just enter them both separated by a space?

I'm using testing and icons are still missing.. Yes I do have that package installed..

I was also wondering if there's any point installing the k7 kernel instead of the i386 one? I've noticed the packages I download are i386 anyway..

Edit: Oh yeah and I forgot.. Which country code do I need to use in the x server config file to set my keyboard for uk? Would it be uk, engb, en_gb?

Ok now I've set the correct nameservers it still isn't behaving correctly.. It still puts the router as a nameserver aswell as the others, which is wrong. It also puts search at the top of resolv.conf, what's that?

I still can't find where to set the refresh rate to use at logon? All I see in the X server config file is the monitor rates..

Edit: Oh guess what, another problem. XMMS won't start. When attempting to run in terminal I get this:

Anyone?

Just to recap, problems left are:

1. resolv.conf still puts dhcp ip as a nameserver

2. missing icons in gnome menu and when running applications such as k3b.. for k3b errors refer to page 2

3. refresh rate currently at 84 Hz when I want it at 75 Hz.. this is for the whole x server including the logon manager, not just kde or gnome

Edit: 4. When I'm running Firefox and then click for mozilla to open, another instance of firefox starts. When I'm not running firefox and click mozilla, mozilla starts. Finally, when I have mozilla open and click firefox, firefox starts.. So why does firefox start another instance when I click mozilla?