Hi,

I have a problem starting X Window System in Linux. I've tried various Linux distributions like SuSe 9.0, RedHat, Fedora 2, Knoppix, Debian.

On SuSe 9.0, RedHat, Fedora and Knoppix all I see after starting the X are colorful vertical stripes across the screen. Sometime I see a mouse cursor and moving the mouse changes the stripes but often not even that.
On Debian when I install X and a window manager right after the base installation, the same thing happens, dependles of the release. But after upgrading the kernel the X won't start at all.


I've got the X to start once on SuSe a long time ago and once on Debian woody after updating the kernel to 6.8.1, but only once on both of them.


I'm now trying to get the XFree86 to work on Debian sarge with kernel 6.8.1 but with no success. The X shows some errors like 'AddScreen/ScreenInit failed for driver 0' and 'mouse not found'. I changed to sarge cause woody had only KDE 2. I've also tried Xorg but the compiler shows an error with the xmlconfig.?

I think I have to update to kernel 6.8.1 because I have an Intel 845g graphics card and 6.8.1 has the driver for it. Might the problem be that I'm not using the Debian kernel source?


Here's my comp.:
CPU = Pentium4 1.7GHz
Graphics card = Intel 845g (integrated)
Display = Hyundai DeluxScan 5870
Input = PS/2 mouse and keyboard


Any help is appreciated! It can't be a hopeless case cause I've got the X to work before, but I don't know what to do to get it work again. Please help, I'd like an alternative to M$ Windows.

Thanx

try to use a 2.6 kernel and try to:

open you xfree config file
in the "device" section choose as chipset "vesa"
save, restart X and pray!

Matteo

Knoppix is usually pretty good at picking the right options, but sometimes needs some help, which you can supply via the boot prompt, as described in:

http://www.knoppix.net/docs/index.php/FaqHardware

They suggest using 'knoppix xmodule=vesa' at the boot prompt. You could also try i810 instead of vesa. If knoppix works you can copy the /etc/X11/XF86config-4 file and use it with another distro.

Using a non-Debian kernel can create some dependency problems for package management. It is a good idea to keep the original Debian kernel around so you can switch back to it in case of trouble. But it shouldn't stop X working.