Trouble with 'startx'
 

Hi,

I am very new to using Linux and I'm pretty much in the dark.

I'm using Red Hat 7.1 (Seawolf)
Kernel 2.4.2-2 on an i586

XFree86 Version 3.3.6a

After running X86Config I try to run 'startx' and receive the following error message:

XFConfig: /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/XF86Config
(**)stands for supplied, (--) stands for probed/default values
(--) no ModulePath specified using default: /usr/X11R6/lib/modules
dbe: Unknown error loading module

Config Error: /usr/X11R/lib/X11/XF86Config:48

SubSection "extmod"
^^^^^^^^^^

Module section keyword expected
XIO: fatal IO error 104 (Conection reset by peer) on X server ":0.0"
after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 events remaining.




I am using an S3 ViRGE 86C325 graphics card and a MaxTech XT-5862 Monitor

Any information on this problem and on how I could get 'X' running would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Easiest thing to do is to just run Xconfigurator to reconfigure X properly.

I don't know what your error is exactly, but you'd do best to just start again, it's very easy, and not at all scary.

I would try to use XFree86 4.0.3 tho, rather than 3.3.6. I'd give you instructions on how to ensure you're usnig 4 not 3, but to be honest, i'm not too sure. One way to try it is to run 'Xconfigurator --expert' which *should* give you a choice of server. BUT very frequently X will ignore you and use 3 anyway. run 'ls -l /etc/X11/X' if this points to XFree86 then you're on 4.x if it's somethign else like XFree86-SVGA then i *think* that'll be 3.3.6. If you uninstall the rpms for 3.3.6 then it'll have to use 4.0.3 like it or not. Make sure 4.0.3 is installed tho.. i's on you install cd's.

Thanks for the response.

I just tried runing Xconfigurator and it showed a screen that said:

PCI Entry : S3 Inc.|86c325 [ViRGE]
X Server : XF86_SVGA
XFree4 driver : (default)

My only option was "OK" so I pushed enter and then it went back to the command prompt after saying:

Server doesn't exist, can't continue.
tried to use ../../usr/X11R6/bin/XF86_SVGA

Anyone got any ideas? I'm getting desperate.

Thanks in advance.

- Check to see if the XF86_SVGA server actually does exist in the /usr/X11R6/bin directory. In general, make sure all of the files/directories referenced in the error messages exist.

- Type $PATH to view your path. If the /usr/X11R6/bin directory is not part of your path, add it to the PATH= line of /etc/profile. You may need to log out and back in to have the change take effect.

If you have both XFree86 3.3.6 and some version of XFree86 4 installed, make sure Xconfigurator is writing to the correct config file. XF86Config is used by 3.3.6, XF86Config-4 is used by 4.x.

Just a few ideas, hope they're of some help.

I checked the directory and the XF86_SVGA server doesn't exist. What should I do in this instance?

Thanks for your replies.

My first suggestion would be to find it on your installation disks, or just reinstall the entire XFree86 package. However, I'm pretty sure Redhat 7.1 ships with XFree86 version 4.0.3, which doesn't use the XF86_SVGA server. How did you end up running version 3.3.6?

I have no idea. I had an older version of linux. I then re-formated my drive, re-partitioned it, and installed Red Hat 7.1. There was a Linux boot disk I made. Is it possible that XFree86 was on that?

I'm sorry. I'm completely new to Linux... I know NOTHING.

Thanks again.

If you reformatted your hard drive before you installed RH 7.1, the 7.1 installation should have put version 4.0.3 of XFree86 on your system, and no references to earlier versions should exist.

When you refer to the boot disk you made, was that from an older version? That could be the cause of some of your conflicts if you are trying to use it with your current version.

Just out of curiousity, are you booting Linux from a floppy, or have you installed LILO to the MBR of your hard drive? For that matter, are you dual-booting, or is Linux the only OS installed on your system?

Linux is the only operating system and I have installed LILO on the computer. I just had to make a boot disk initially to do something (i forget what) to get started.

Would you recommend possibly reformatting and starting over yet again? It's starting to look like that's my best option.

A full reformat might a bit overboard, but a reinstallation of X, including a removal of the current components (keep a backup just in case) might be a good idea.

I remember when I first installed Mandrake 8.0 I got that message. I had configured the wrong monitor, and it would not boot into 'X'. However, I was fairly new to Linux at this point, but I figured it out, and sucked up my pride, and got it working.

Yea, depending on what you are trying to do, installing a newer version of Free86 might help. 4.03? I know it's on the CD. Just not exactly sure where.

Xconfigurator should work.

Think I mispelled the command.

Later,
Oz