Dealing with problems with the Xserver

[tseliot]

If the Xserver crashes at boot, then this quick fix might do the trick for you.

1) Boot in Recovery mode (you can select it from the GRUB menu almost as soon as you turn your computer.

In this way the xserver won't be started.

2) Make sure that everything went fine during the update:

dpkg --configure -a

3) Reconfigure the Xserver:

dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

and select the "vesa" driver when it asks you. If you don't know the answer to the other questions just press ENTER to use the default answer.

4) Reconfigure the login manager:

dpkg-reconfigure gdm (if you use Ubuntu or Xubuntu)

or

dpkg-reconfigure kdm (if you use Kubuntu)

and select your desired login manager (either gdm or kdm, according to the version of Ubuntu you're using or to your personal preference)

5) Restart your computer:

reboot

Boot as usual and you should be able to see the graphical interface (the desktop enviroment).

If that doesn't work, repeat the process I described above but this time set the driver to "vga".

NOTE: if you're using a VIA graphic card try this:

apt-get install xserver-xorg-driver-via

then

dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

and select your Via card (and driver)

P.S. After you're able to use the Desktop Environment I suggest you to install the right drivers for your graphic card in order to make the most of it.


IF you have an ASUS P5VDC-MX motherboard + onboard VIA
sudo nano -w /boot/grub/menu.lst

Look for a line which begins with "kopt":

# kopt=root=/dev/hdc1 ro

and add "pci=conf1" on that line:

# kopt=root=/dev/hdc1 ro pci=conf1

CTRL+X to exit (save the file)

Then type:

sudo update-grub

and reboot.

Now the xserver should work fine.

[pt123]

Thats pretty useless, because if you had nvidia driver set up before in the xorg.conf files you have settings for depth of display and they cause erors when you change it to vga and restart .

These instructions from this thread:
http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=185396

help me reconfigure Xserver
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start

[tseliot]

Originally Posted by pt123 Thats pretty useless, because if you had nvidia driver set up before in the xorg.conf files you have settings for depth of display and they cause erors when you change it to vga and restart . These instructions from this thread: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=185396 help me reconfigure Xserver sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start

I'll put this command instead of that with nano:

dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Notice that I suggest to boot in Recovery mode because sometimes an xserver crash can make the entire computer freeze.

[Patrick-Ruff]

meh, it seems liek the Unable to Mount root error, is much more widespread then that of this, please investigate this thread
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=186115

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by tseliot If the Xserver crashes at boot, then this quick fix might do the trick for you. 1) Boot in Recovery mode (you can select it from the GRUB menu almost as soon as you turn your computer. In this way the xserver won't be started. 2) Reconfigure the Xserver: dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg and select the "vesa" driver when it asks you. If you don't know the answer to the other questions just press ENTER to use the default answer. 3) Reconfigure the login manager: dpkg-reconfigure gdm (if you use Ubuntu or Xubuntu) or dpkg-reconfigure kdm (if you use Kubuntu) and select your desired login manager (either gdm or kdm, according to the version of Ubuntu you're using or to your personal preference) 4) Restart your computer: reboot Boot as usual and you should be able to see the graphical interface (the desktop enviroment). If that doesn't work, repeat the process I described above but this time set the driver to "vga". P.S. After you're able to use the Desktop Environment I suggest you to install the right drivers for your graphic card in order to make the most of it.

Ok, I installed Dapper 6.06 with no problems, then proceeded to install nvidia's 8762 driver with no issues. The only problem i had was i wanted my correct resolution which is 1280x1024 @ 85Hz. So i do a sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf and proceed to change my Horz Freq & my Vert Freq according to my monitors manual as i have always done in the past. Then i reboot and i have no GUI im @ a login prompt for username then password, so i enter it and the do a sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop & then i proceed to do a sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-org and it tells me that Package `xserver-org` is not installed and no info is availible. /usr/sbin/dpkg-reconfigureserver-org is not installed. So i now do a sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg it says reading packagelists.....Done, Building dependency tree....Done E:Couldnt find package xserver-org. So i even try a sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm and i get invoke-rc.d: initscript gdm, action "reload" failed. I then reboot into (recovery mode) and i get all the same issues as listed above,maybe its the nvidia driver 8762? anyone have any ideas? Thank you in advance.

[Christopher]

Anyone?

[tseliot]

Originally Posted by Christopher Ok, I installed Dapper 6.06 with no problems, then proceeded to install nvidia's 8762 driver with no issues. The only problem i had was i wanted my correct resolution which is 1280x1024 @ 85Hz. So i do a sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf and proceed to change my Horz Freq & my Vert Freq according to my monitors manual as i have always done in the past. Then i reboot and i have no GUI im @ a login prompt for username then password, so i enter it and the do a sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop & then i proceed to do a sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-org and it tells me that Package `xserver-org` is not installed and no info is availible. /usr/sbin/dpkg-reconfigureserver-org is not installed. So i now do a sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg it says reading packagelists.....Done, Building dependency tree....Done E:Couldnt find package xserver-org. So i even try a sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm and i get invoke-rc.d: initscript gdm, action "reload" failed. I then reboot into (recovery mode) and i get all the same issues as listed above,maybe its the nvidia driver 8762? anyone have any ideas? Thank you in advance.

it's sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

please try again

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by tseliot it's sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg please try again

Ok, 1st off I apologize for the typo and i typed in sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg in recovery mode and got it to work and heres my xorg.conf, can you tell me if it looks ok, thank you in advance.



# /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

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"
# 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" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
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 NV40 [GeForce 6800 GT]"
Driver "nvidia"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "NEC FE992"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 30-98
VertRefresh 50-160
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Device "NVIDIA Corporation NV40 [GeForce 6800 GT]"
Monitor "NEC FE992"
DefaultDepth 24
SubSection "Display"
Depth 1
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 4
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 8
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 16
Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1280x1024" "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

[kickaha]

There is a bug # 36461 that's kind of related to this discussion.

It relates to dual-headed operation, where some varying mix of video cards cause the X server to lock up, and take the system with it.

There's no cure, yet.

[tseliot]

Originally Posted by Christopher Ok, 1st off I apologize for the typo and i typed in sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg in recovery mode and got it to work and heres my xorg.conf, can you tell me if it looks ok, thank you in advance. # /etc/X11/xorg.conf (xorg X Window System server configuration file) # # This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using # values from the debconf database. # # Edit this file with caution, and see the /etc/X11/xorg.conf manual page. # (Type "man /etc/X11/xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.) # # This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only* # if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg # package. # # If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated # again, run the following command: # sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg 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" # 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" "pc104" Option "XkbLayout" "us" 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 NV40 [GeForce 6800 GT]" Driver "nvidia" BusID "PCI:1:0:0" EndSection Section "Monitor" Identifier "NEC FE992" Option "DPMS" HorizSync 30-98 VertRefresh 50-160 EndSection Section "Screen" Identifier "Default Screen" Device "NVIDIA Corporation NV40 [GeForce 6800 GT]" Monitor "NEC FE992" DefaultDepth 24 SubSection "Display" Depth 1 Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 4 Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 8 Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 15 Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 16 Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480" EndSubSection SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1280x1024" "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

it seems ok. Does it work properly?