problem running multiple x sessions

ahh_username_taken · 09-03-2008, 10:43 PM

Good Day,

I'm trying to run a second X session, but when i <ctrl> <alt> F2 from kde and go into another terminal and run the startx -- :1 it freezes up on a blank screen. Do i need to perform any special configurations or something, any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

bgeddy · 09-04-2008, 01:13 AM

I'n no expert in this but your post prompted me to play around a bit.

I found that if I followed your instructions (Alt+f2 for a terminal, startx -- :2) I could load seperate X sessions and seperate KDE sesssions on top.

The key thing was to log into my second terminal as a different user from the first. I.e. two seperate users running X to save confusion with files created in ~.

I think X maybe getting confused with its files stored in $HOME if you try and run it as the same user but as I said - I'm certainly no expert in X and it's applications.

ahh_username_taken · 09-04-2008, 08:28 AM

thanks for the reply, tried it but its still freezing up

keefaz · 09-04-2008, 08:56 AM

Did you try to hit [ctrl] + [alt] + [f8] ?
Also did you run a xwmconfig to change Xsession before enter startx -- :1 ?
(eg, if it is set to KDE for X session 0, try fluxbox for example for X session 1)

ahh_username_taken · 09-04-2008, 09:10 AM

tried the [ctrl] + [alt] + [f8] didn't work
also tried changing the x session as suggested but it still froze up

PTrenholme · 09-04-2008, 11:42 AM

If you're running KDE and you are using KDM as your display manager, your KDE menu should have a "Switch Session" menu item on it that will start a second (3rd, 4th) session for you using the window manager of your choice and user id of your choice.

The key is to use the KDM since the GDM (GNOME display manager) does not support multiple sessions "out of the box."

On Fedora the display manager started by startx is controlled by /etc/sysconfig/desktop:

Code:

$ cat /etc/sysconfig/desktop
#!/bin/bash
DISPLAYMANAGER=KDE
DESKTOP=KDE

Since I don't "slack," I can't offer further advice, except to note that Fedora 9 did not support using KDM until I installed KDE 4.1, so it's possible that the version of KDE you're using can make a difference.

Oh, you might want to look at man xinit which, among other things, shows you how to start an X session in a specific window.

ahh_username_taken · 09-04-2008, 11:54 AM

thanks for the info, i'm running kde 3.5.10 btw, will checkout the man xinit and see if i can understand whats going on

EDIT: I ended up messing up my kde wouldn't boot into X session, not surprised though seeing i had to hard boot the comp quite a few times, i ended up doing a fresh installation and it seems to be working now.

But for some reason it only worked with startx --:2 not 1 i thought the first x session used 0 by default. O well glad its working hope it continues to work after I install video drivers, compiz etc

ahh_username_taken · 09-04-2008, 02:18 PM

OK just install the latest fglrx drivers and the freezing problem stated back. SO i'm guessing it has something to do with my ati video driver. any help in finding a work around that does not involve me uninstalling the fglrx drivers would be appreciated

keefaz · 09-04-2008, 02:51 PM

As an altenative, KDE like other window managers has multiple desktop management feature
It's very convenient, I use this same feature everyday in xfce,
I don't know why you need multiple x sessions though, maybe to use X with more than one user ?
In that case, yes you need multiple X displays, I wonder if playing with VNC server/viewer on display 1 or 2.. using localhost would work... oupss I am idiot, a vncviewer would need a x session to open a x display

ahh_username_taken · 09-04-2008, 03:26 PM

thanks for the reply, well i'm certain its the fglrx driver at fault,i uninstalled it and the multiple x sessions are working, as per your question on needing it I don't really need it at all, I just wanted to see if it could be done, and it can, i'm just glad i know what caused the problem in the first place.

Thanks for all the help