How do I include the error message?
 

I had Debian successfully installed with the 2.2 kernel. On it, Window Maker was working just fine. I found a site that mentioned a program called Synaptic. Gotta tell ya, I love that program!!

I'd like to have a system that is as functional as Windows (the other OS on the same machine but different physical drive) but isn't Windows. From what I'm seeing, I'm sure it can be done.

I tried installing KDE. Granted it's a large package, but it seems to have lots of stuff I want. The problem is, I can no longer log into Xwindows (startx). It tries to log in using the KDE interface, gives me the KDE splash screen, and then dies with this long error message.

I've read in a few threads that it's a good idea to include the whole error message when asking for help.

How do I do that? On my Debian system, I only have a command prompt. I am, however, able to access the Internet as the apt-get command works just fine.

Also, if it's easier, perhaps someone can just tell me how to remove the KDE package and I'll try other things through Window Maker in the mean time.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

Budha.

hmm, if you are typing at a command prompt
simply append
2> *filename*.txt
to the end of the command you are running to redirect any error messages generated to the file *filename*.txt
then just copy and paste into the web browser for posting

p.s.
'>' is a redirect at the command prompt
0> redirects input
1> or simply > redirects standard output
2> redirects standard error messages
hope this helps

Thanks, but how can I paste anything into a browser if I'm only getting a command prompt?

if you open the program in terminal, the error usually pops up in there. Then select the text (click and hold ;) and there should be an edit at the top or right click should have something like "copy" then go to browser and in the edit menu there should be something like "paste"

usually you can jus use this
hotkeys: "ctrl + c" "ctrl + v"

Thanks everyone...I've gone ahead and just re-installed Debian with the 2.4 kernel. Window Maker is back up and running, and Synaptic as well.

So, I guess, for now, we can start worrying about this.

Thanks again.

i see i'ts a little late for this one, but what that does is ouputs it to a file then you can copy it to a disk and paste it into a web browser on another machine

Ok. I believe I save the error message to a .txt file. The command I used to redirect the error message was:

startx 2> xerror.txt

I also did startx 2> /floppy/xerror.txt which, I thought, should write it directly to the floppy disk.

After running the 1st command, I tried to copy it to a floppy disk with this command:

cp /home/budha/xerror.txt /floppy

According to everything I can see, this worked. While still at the command prompt, cause I can't seem to login to KDE, I can navigate to /floppy directory, and when I run the ls command, it lists the file. I type in the ls command at the debian:/floppy# prompt and lists the file and takes me back to a prompt...like this:

debian:/floppy# ls
xerror.txt
debian:/floppy#

What am I not getting here? When I moved the floppy disk over to another PC (Win XP), there's nothing showing up on the disk.

It's probably something I overlooked, but I can't put my finger on it.

Thanks for your help so far everyone. I've learned quite a bit in the last couple of days.