Unable to start xserver on Mandrake 9.2

sin667 · 07-22-2011, 12:38 PM

Tried that earlier. See post #85.

I got the same thing now as I did then. Flashing cursor, nothing happening, can't choose alternate terminal screens with alt+f1-f6.

{BBI}Nexus{BBI} · 07-22-2011, 12:55 PM

I am stunned to say the least. All the elements are in place, I cannot see any reason why the regular ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86-96.43.19-pkg1.run shoudln't work. No reason why make install shouldn't work. This is looking more and more like one of those fixes that only a reinstall can resolve.

Back to basics. Let's have another attempt at getting the display to work using basic drivers. In sequence can you edit your XF86Config-4 file and try these one at a time in the driver section under the heading Section "Device". vesa, vga, nv. After each change, run startx. Let me know what error (if any) is reported for each one.

sin667 · 07-22-2011, 01:02 PM

Manually edit it with "vi"? Or does XFdrake change that file?

{BBI}Nexus{BBI} · 07-22-2011, 01:05 PM

You can try it with XFdrake first. If it completes check to make sure it has actually made the change. If it fails it'll have to be with vi.

sin667 · 07-22-2011, 02:03 PM

It was set to vesa.

When set to VGA I got the following errors:

Code:

Virtual size (640x480) (pitch 640) exceeds video memory
(EE) Screen(s) found, but none have usable configuration. 

Fatal server error: no screens found.

...along with the usual errno 13 error.

Under nv I got the same usual error

Code:

xinit: Permission denied (erno 13): Unable to connect to x server

sin667 · 07-22-2011, 02:19 PM

Yea... it's probably time to reinstall.

{BBI}Nexus{BBI} · 07-22-2011, 02:32 PM

It would have been nice to have nailed this one. I am tempted to say run XFree86 -configure again and try to configure a new XF86Config file. This machine is some piece of work, sorry after all this we couldn't get the result we wanted. Are you ok with doing a reinstall? My advice would be if you only use this machine for accessing the printer. Install the system as basic as you need. No point in installing services you won't need. When you get the system up and running again, backup the XF86Config file. Also think about installing Mandriva 2005. Graphics cards are better supported and if memory serves it uses Xorg instead of XFree.

You've shown great patience throughout this. I hope the reinstall is a much smoother experience.

sin667 · 07-22-2011, 02:43 PM

Just tried running XFree86 -configure and got a black screen. I didn't expect much different.

I should be ok with the install. Just need to look up the proper way to configure the machine, and if I have any questions that's what these forums are for.

My wife tells me I have infinite patience. It comes in handy when you work in the printing industry.

sin667 · 07-22-2011, 02:47 PM

I wanted to also thank you for all your help. I learned a bunch about commands I never new existed, and kinda brought me back to my msdos/apple II days.

I will probably go with mandriva, as it seems more stable, and i can still run my version of Caldera on it.

Again, you've been a great help, despite this machines wanting to stay broke.

{BBI}Nexus{BBI} · 07-22-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sin667

Just need to look up the proper way to configure the machine

You can just go with a default install. Services can be disabled after if necessary.

Quote:

and if I have any questions that's what these forums are for.

That's so true