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Home > Archive > Linux/Unix > March 2001 > Starting the X window session?
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Starting the X window session?
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| beenframed 2001-03-04, 12:15 pm |
| hi,
I am trying to install Linux mandrake 6.1 and when I near the end of the install I get prompted to add my monitor specs, When I enter them the install runs a test on my x windows and tells me that it has not been set up properly and would I like to A. go back and try again or B. skip this step. If I choose B setup completes and It tells setup was successful. Upon re-booting I get to the login prompt but when I login I do not go to a gui I login and am stuck at a command prompt. I can browse the file system and execute some stuff but how do I get into the GUI of Linux. Is this happening because the xwindows during installtion was'nt setup properly. or is there some command I need to execute to through me into Linux gui.
ex. is in some version of DOS you can type windows at the C prompt and it starts windows for you.
Thanks for your help!! | |
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| Yes, this was caused by misconfiguration. I haven't used any of the 6.x versions, so I'm assuming the following information, which applies to all 7.Xs is true. Normally, after being configured correctly, setup will ask you if you want to start X during startup. If you select no, but configure it correctly, X can be started by typing "startx". The easiest way to fix this would probably be to boot off of the CD again, select "upgrade", skip ahead to the X configuration part of the install, set up X correctly, and tell setup to finish. Another, more complicated possibility is to start the setup program from the command prompt (XFree86Setup, or something like that, it varies from distro to distro).
Mandrake makes a lot of improvements with each new release. I suggest trying out 7.2, or if you're feeling adventurous, 8.0. | |
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| I've tried just about every possible x window config setup possible, I am trying the install on a laptop. If tried it with monitor settings from 640x840 vga up to what my laptop actually supports svga 1024x768? any suggestions as to what could be going on here!!
Thanks | |
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| That's strange, VGA settings should work with just about anything made in the last few years. There are different selections for interlaced, and noninterlaced monitors, make sure you choose the appropriate type. Also, make sure that you choose the appropriate video card. Other then that, I don't know what else to say. Linux has very good hardware support for being a Unix variant, but it's still a long ways off from Windows. Some of your hardware might not be supported. | |
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| If I am not mistaken, Mandrake uses the K Desktop Environment, so you could try typing 'kde' at the command prompt and see what happens. If you get an error, make a note of it -- it usually gives you some clue as to what is going on. Hardware support for Linux is limited, but you should be able to get something at least. Make sure you have your appropriate colour depth, horizontal and vertical refresh rates set correctly, and then set the resolution. Look at your user's manual and their should be a way of editing the XF86Config file indirectly, usually by typing xf86config or XF86Setup (case sensitive). The settings don't always work right the first time, but I'd bet that you will be able to get some graphics somehow. Maybe you are setting the clour depth too high or something. Try typing 'kde' and if the KDE (Mandrake's GUI) doesn't start, then write down your error message and post it here. Also check Mandrake's web site for support. | |
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| Hey I set up my monitor settings to the lowest possible and tried typing kde at the prompt. The Gui did start but It was all jumbled, I rebooted and tried it agian and the same thing happened. I am giving up on this version, I've successfully installed it on a workstation but this laptop is giving me problems. I've got a copy of Corel that seems to be installing just fine on the laptop thus far. Thanks for your help, I let ya know how it goes with Corel....
BF | |
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| I installed corel on the laptop. The insatll for this is simple. There is no option to set the Monitor config, Upon boot up I get to the boot menu and the screen looks crisp. But when I choose Corel Linux from the menu linux loads but the desktop is all distorted and I can't make anything out. any suggestions on this. The versions of Corel is the first release I am not sure if they have released a new version since then and the Mandrake version was 6.5, Do you think trying a newer version will help or should I just abandon the idea of scoring Linux on my laptop.
Thanks,
BF.
PS
Can I download new versions for free. | |
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| I've seen this before on laptops. Some displays are designed for one specific resolution and look distorted with any other. Try setting the resolution to the same as you had in Windows. Either that or your display settings are set too high.
You should be able to download the latest version of Corel somewhere. I'm not sure where though. |
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