I have recently begun using knoppix and am trying to ssh into a server where I am supposed to be able to run a program that opens an xterm (or something like that) graphical user interface (it's chip design software).

I am able to log in without any trouble, but when I try to actually run the program, I get an error saying "Failed to find either 24-bit TrueColor or 8-bit PseudoColor Visual." I have tried using the <knoppix depth=24> when starting, but it did not seem to fix the problem.

any help would be appreciated,
and stuff,
me.

I read something like this (umm... thinking..) about five years ago. Somebody was useing RH 4.xx? and had a solution for that. since it *is* five years, i can't remember/tell anything correct, but I can give a hint: It had something to do with system variables set like:
"export XFREE_DEPTH=8"
in BOTH the sort-of-like-server you're logging, AND the client.
...
but as said, that's about all I can remember. But keep searching, it CAN be done...

You need to do one of two things:

1) Use VNC. This allows you to see an X environment that is running on the remote box. Of course the remote box has to have vncserver running. Do a little searching here and you will find tons of threads on how to get VNC up and running over SSH.

2) If you have X available on your local machine, which you do since you're running Knoppix (or use somehting like Cygwin or Exceed on Windows), you can start the ssh with the -X flag. Doing that enables X forwarding in which case the program will use the local X installation to display.

tried doing it using the -x tag. now it says "X Window Display Initialization failure."

any other suggestions?
and stuff,
me.

Well, did you do ssh -X or ssh -x, because it makes a world of difference. If you did ssh -x (as your post suggests) that actually disables X forwarding and would account for your error. However ssh -X enables X forwarding and should work.

See man ssh for more details.

I had indeed used the -x instead of -X. But when I correct this and use -X, I once again get the orginal error.

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know.

thanks,
and stuff,
me.

That's odd. Do simple X programs like xterm or xclock work? I'm trying to figure out if this is a failure of X forwarding or if the chip design software is being difficult.

Hey,

** I'm VERY new to ANYTHING but windows ** - FYI

I got that setup to work by using X-Deep/32 which has a "Simulate 8-bit PseudoColour Visual" option in it's setup.

http://www.pexus.com - Main Site
http://www.pexus.com/Documents/Xserver.htm - Screen Shot of Configuration

In this setup however, it was reccommended (perhaps it's required) that an additional program called PuTTY (SSH Client) be used.

http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/

However, despite the fact this setup will get you beyond that error, I had issues with the keyboard. It would work initially and then after a short while would not log keystrokes when in a text box (cursor stopped flashing).

Anyway, this might help you get past one problem. Good luck!

P.S. Help from anyone with the keyboard issue would be great, seeing as how I am now messing around trying to get Cygwin to get by the "24/8 PseudoColour" problem.

Cheers,

Jantz