failed to start x server
 

ok i x server won't start, im certain it is because i have messed up the xorg.conf file while install beryl but i don't know hoe to fix it. the error message when i boot up says that there is a log located here /var/log/xorg.o.log but i don't know how to get to it from ubuntu livecd as it says unable to mount like it does for my other hard disk. im running ubuntu 6.10.

thanks for the help

You don't have to go to the logfile by using the liveCD. If X doesn't start, atleast a console should start. You can use Vi to open up the log file instead.

If a console doesn't start try CTRL+ALT+F5.

Then a console should open, and try opening the file there.

And if i'm correct in /etc/X11/ not only should there be a xorg.conf, there should also be a xorg.conf.backup. If you are able to go there, just remove xorg.conf and rename xorg.conf.backup to xorg.conf, and then restart!

When you boot you should see a GRUB menu, if not press Escape when it says to.
Then you can boot in to "Recovery Mode" or it may be called "Single", from there you can login and use this command to fix the xorg.conf file

ok thanks for the help i've got it working again. but i still need to add this to xorg to use beryl
" ARGBGLXVisuals

Edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf, and add the following Option line in the Screen (or Device) section:

Section "Screen"
[...your configuration...]
Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
EndSection"

they way i did it last time must of been wrong to crash x server. here is the main section from my xorg file

Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/misc"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/cyrillic"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi/:unscaled"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/Type1"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/100dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/X11/fonts/75dpi"
FontPath "/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc"
# path to defoma fonts
FontPath "/var/lib/defoma/x-ttcidfont-conf.d/dirs/TrueType"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "bitmap"
Load "ddc"
Load "dri"
Load "extmod"
Load "freetype"
Load "glx"
Load "int10"
Load "type1"
Load "vbe"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "CoreKeyboard"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
Option "XkbOptions" "lv3:ralt_switch"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
Option "Device" "/dev/input/mice"
Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "stylus"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "stylus"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "eraser"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "eraser"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "wacom"
Identifier "cursor"
Option "Device" "/dev/wacom" # Change to
# /dev/input/event
# for USB
Option "Type" "cursor"
Option "ForceDevice" "ISDV4" # Tablet PC ONLY
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "NVIDIA Corporation NV43 [GeForce 6600/GeForce 6600 GT]"
Driver "nvidia"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
Option "UseFBDev" "true"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "DELL M782p"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 30-70
VertRefresh 50-160
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "NVIDIA Corporation NV43 [GeForce 6600/GeForce 6600 GT]"
Monitor "DELL M782p"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Generic Keyboard"
InputDevice "Configured Mouse"
InputDevice "stylus" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "cursor" "SendCoreEvents"
InputDevice "eraser" "SendCoreEvents"
EndSection

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection

so does any one know how to add the bit to use beryl properly?

As far as I know, you need to use XGL with the nvidia driver from the ubuntu package
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CompositeManager/Xgl

Or, if you downloaded the driver from the nvidia website, you can use either XGL or AIGLX
AIGLX Guide for Dapper
AIGLX Guide for Edgy