X Server wont run
 

Upon starting my freshly installed Debian, I recieve the following error...

I cannot start the X server (your graphical
interface). It is likely that it is not set
up correctly. Would you like to view the X
server output to diagnose the problem?

<Yes> <No>



Upon entering "Yes" I am presented with the following screen....



warning: process set to nice value 0 instead of -10 as requested

This is a pre-release version of XFree86, and is not supported in any
way. Bugs may be reported to XFree86@XFree86.Org and patches submitted
to fixes@XFree86.Org. Before reporting bugs in pre-release versions,
please check the latest version in the XFree86 CVS repository
(http://www.XFree86.Org/cvs)

XFree86 Version 4.1.0.1 / X Window System
(protocol Version 11, revision 0, vendor release 6510)
Release Date: 21 December 2001
If the server is older than 6-12 months , or if your card is
newer than the above date, look for a newer version before
reporting problems. (See http://www.XFree86.Org/FAQ)
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.9-ac6-ac6 i686 [ELF]
Module Loader present
(==) Log file: "/var/log/XFree86.0.log", Time: Thu Mar 17 13:54:35 2005
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/Xf86Config-4"

<EXIT>

Upon entering "EXIT" the following screen occurs....

Would you like me to try to run the X
configuration program? Note that you will
need the root password for this.

<Yes> <No>



So there you go....please know that I am extremely new to linux...
I barely know how to do anything at all in it..thanks.

Did you go thru the X configuration program? I suggest trying that. It should set you up with a default config for the X window system.

when I try to run the X Configuration program it crashes my system...power on my hd flickers off and system wont reboot with ctrl alt del....I'm loading knoppix now because I saw somewhere that people use that for troubleshooting their linux systems?...but I basically have no idea what to do...

well, I've loaded knoppix and I'm looking at all the files in my hard drive...I guess I wanna find the X Configuration file and fix it?

???

A common problem indeed. Which is why I chose Fedora Linux because it is one of the very few that the X window system actually works with my display & graphics card. All the other distros I tried (besides knoppix) just gave me headaches...

According to your log, the file you want to edit is in

/etc/X11/Xf86Config-4

Fedora uses a slightly different filename

/etc/X11/xorg.conf