kdm works but startx doesn't (black screen stop)

spikeygg · 01-10-2010, 11:18 AM

I'm running debian (AMD64 dist), and I recently upgraded via aptitude to KDE 4.3.4. After the upgrade I found that I could no longer start X (using startx from my user account). I am, however, able to launch kdm from a root command line and log in as a user to X this way (graphically).

I want to run startx as a user and I cannot figure out where the hangup is. I've looked in my Xorg.0.log files comparing .old to current and nothing stands out. After I launch 'startx' the screen goes black and the computer waits. I can hit ctrl-alt-f2 and bring back the text-mode terminal screen; it's at a point where it looks like X is working. From there, I can control-c it and get back to the command prompt.

I'm thinking this is a software configuration thing but I don't know enough about how all the systems tie together to figure out where the problem is. If you know, please help.

Thanks,
-Greg

alunduil · 01-10-2010, 01:53 PM

What is in your xinitrc?

Regards,

Alunduil

spikeygg · 01-10-2010, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alunduil

What is in your xinitrc?

Regards,

Alunduil

Code:

$ cat /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
#!/bin/bash

# /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
#
# global xinitrc file, used by all X sessions started by xinit (startx)

# invoke global X session script
. /etc/X11/Xsession
$
$
$ cat /etc/X11/xinit/xserverrc
#!/bin/sh

exec /usr/bin/X -nolisten tcp "$@"
$

Also xserverrc, just in case. Is it bad?

alunduil · 01-10-2010, 03:39 PM

Looks fine, but you should perhaps check out this Guide on Startx.

Regards,

Alunduil

P.S. If that doesn't solve the problem post back and we'll continue the search.

spikeygg · 01-10-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alunduil

Looks fine, but you should perhaps check out this Guide on Startx.

Regards,

Alunduil

P.S. If that doesn't solve the problem post back and we'll continue the search.

Thanks Alunduil, you nailed it!

I did a "echo startkde > ~/.xinitrc" and then startx worked, I got into KDE. When I remove the file it breaks again. Do you know where the default window manager information is stored? That's, apparently, what is messed up.

alunduil · 01-10-2010, 04:38 PM

Glad that resolved it. Have fun with your Linux install.

Regards,

Alunduil