Can't log in to Karmic

[Wlo]

Hiya. As of yesterday evening I'm unable to log into my Karmic box. I'm presented with the login screen, I enter my username and password, and the screen briefly goes away as though it's logging me in, but then just comes back again prompting for username and password again.

I am able to log in via SSH, and even get onto the Desktop remotely via FreeNX, and to confirm my password is okay I changed it via SSH.

Yesterday I install some updates, and I think Beyond Compare which required some 32bit libs to run (as I'm on 64 bit).

I had a look in auth.log but doesn't point to anything from what I can tell.

Feb 25 07:11:38 mobrain gdm-session-worker[2619]: pam_unix(gdm:session): session opened for user wlo by (uid=0)
Feb 25 07:11:38 mobrain gdm-session-worker[2619]: pam_ck_connector(gdm:session): nox11 mode, ignoring PAM_TTY :0
Feb 25 07:11:39 mobrain gdm-session-worker[2619]: pam_unix(gdm:session): session closed for user wlo
Feb 25 07:14:51 mobrain sudo:     root : TTY=unknown ; PWD=/ ; USER=wlo ; COMMAND=/usr/bin/gconftool --get /system/http_proxy/use_http_proxy
Feb 25 07:14:51 mobrain sudo:     root : TTY=unknown ; PWD=/ ; USER=wlo ; COMMAND=/usr/bin/gconftool --get /system/http_proxy/host
Feb 25 07:14:52 mobrain sudo:     root : TTY=unknown ; PWD=/ ; USER=wlo ; COMMAND=/usr/bin/gconftool --get /system/http_proxy/port

Anywhere else I can be looking for clues? Any other ideas?

I've just installed another round of updates over but can't test if that fixed it as I'm not with the machine now.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.

Wlo.

[byStanderone]

...the thing is, don't panic, got a login problem bout a week ago, the opposite of what's happening to your system...can't login to my remote server (local net)...checked and re-checked my configuration, things are in proper order...got tired and logout for the nyt...the following day, i can already login to the remote computer.

yup...one thing i missed, i did'nt know what the problem was.

[Wlo]

I can log in if I select the Gnome Failsafe option at the login screen. Can anyone let me know where I can find a log telling me what the problem is?

Thanks again.

Wlo.

[diazleonardo]

Same problem here. I haven't logd out for a while (3 - 4 days) wanted to check something and I can't log in again. Other users do.

Since I can log through SSH I assume there is no problem with /etc/passwd. Anyhow, changed my password and tried to log in again. No luck.

auth.log shows nothing wrong.

Feb 26 12:35:29 asuracenturix gdm-session-worker[5084]: pam_unix(gdm:session): session closed for user wifey
Feb 26 12:35:41 asuracenturix gdm-session-worker[5467]: pam_unix(gdm:session): session opened for user myself by (uid=0)
Feb 26 12:35:41 asuracenturix gdm-session-worker[5467]: pam_ck_connector(gdm:session): nox11 mode, ignoring PAM_TTY :0
Feb 26 12:35:44 asuracenturix seahorse-daemon[5605]: init gpgme version 1.1.8

moved .gnome2/keyrings away. Didn't work either.

[Wlo]

Anyone got any ideas? I just need to know where I can find some sort of error message?

[diazleonardo]

Found this in the logs, any relationship? (I will test tomorrow, too tired for any productive work right now)

Feb 26 11:48:11 asuracenturix gnome-keyring-ask: could not grab keyboard: 3
Feb 26 11:49:11 asuracenturix gnome-keyring-ask: last message repeated 29 times
Feb 26 11:50:11 asuracenturix gnome-keyring-ask: last message repeated 6 times
Feb 26 11:54:35 asuracenturix gnome-keyring-ask: could not grab keyboard: 3
Feb 26 11:55:41 asuracenturix gnome-keyring-ask: last message repeated 9 times

[Wlo]

Is there anything else I can do about this? Somewhere else I can go for help maybe?

[byStanderone]

...if i remember correctly, there is a part in the installation process wherein you were ask to record a certain password which was generated by the system, stating that you have to use it should a login problem ever occur. use that password.

[Wlo]

...if i remember correctly, there is a part in the installation process wherein you were ask to record a certain password which was generated by the system, stating that you have to use it should a login problem ever occur. use that password.

Can you explain any more? I don't remember setting a password other than the standard admin one, does this password have name or something so I can search for more info?

I'm able to log in via SSH and FreeNX, so I know my password is okay.

Thanks for your suggestion.

Someone else suggested I try logging in via a tty and starting X. I could log in via the tty but x wouldn't start as it said it was already running.

Am I going to need to reinstall my OS?

[Wlo]

After some help on IRC I'm a bit further (Dapapr? - Thanks!)

I've created a new user, and that user is able to log in fine using normal Gnome. I've tried to compare the home dirs to see what might be different, and have changed ownership recursively on my home dir to be owned by me, but still the same prob.

Any ideas?

THanks.