[lug] new to Linux

Tue Oct 1 07:51:40 MDT 2002

You have a bad config file (I'm guessing you knew that!).  You need to 
create a config file.  Fortunately, there are some programs to do that.

Before I go any further, let me suggest that you definitely plan on 
coming to the installfest on the 12th.  The install fest is for 
perfecting your install, not just getting a basic install.  So bring 
your computer and any problems you are having.  There will be people 
there who can and will help.  Okay, back to the config file.

If you do "rpm -q XFree86" to you get a version like XFree86-4.x.y-z 
(where x,y, and z are digits) (version 4) or do you get XFree86-3.3.x 
(version 3)?  In order of preference, here is what to try.  ?First, 
make sure you have the manual for your video card and monnitor handy.

If you have a version 4 you can try running "X -configure".

For version 3 (and maybe 4, too) make sure you've installed the 
Xconfigurator package and run Xconfigurator.  This is a pretty wrapper 
around the next method.

You can also try (esp for version 3) xf86config which is part of the 
XFree86 packages.

At the end, you need either /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 (for version 4) or 
/etc/X11/XF86Config (for version 3).  Try running "startx" again.

Once startx works for you, exit out of X and try (as root) "telinit 5".  
This should start the graphical login system.  If that works okay, edit 
/etc/inittab and set the "initdefault" to 5 instead of 3.

Try playing with the "switchdesk" command to try different desktops.

Hope that helps,

Michael

On Tuesday 01 October 2002 02:38 am, Aaron Vogel wrote:
> I have installed RH7.3 and can boot to Windows and Linux seemingly
> alright. When I get to Linux I type in my name and password and then
> type in 'startx' to attempt to get to GNOME because I am helpless in
> the text version. However, after i enter that in, I get a stream of
> text and finally an error message that go something on the order of:
>
> Parse warning on line 102 of section keyboard in file
> /etc/X11/Xf86Config Ignoring obselete keyboard "LeftAlt"
> Parse error on line 102 of section keyboard in file
> /etc/X11/XF86Config "Meta"  is not a valid keyboard in this section
>
> (EE) problem parsing the config file
> (EE) error from xf86HandleConfigFile ()
>
> and/or
>
> XIO:  fatal IO error 104 (Connection reset by peer) on x server
> ":0.0" after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 events renewing
>
> Fatal server error:
> no screens found
>
> I essentially can not figure out what I have done wrong and and do
> not have the slightest idea of how to fix it, especially when not in
> a GUI
>
> Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
>
>             -Aaron Vogel
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jason W. Strnad" <jasons at ehlokitty.org>
> To: <lug at lug.boulder.co.us>
> Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 4:41 PM
> Subject: Re: [lug] new to Linux
>
> > short of getting a different distro, as has been suggested, (I've
> > tried the RH8.0 and Mandrake9.0 betas, both are fine packages, as
> > is RH7.3.) perhaps if you could provide us with some details as to
> > the problems you are having.
> >
> > You mention dual booting with XP, something which in my experience
> > is only a recently solved problem, _should_ work alright with
> > RH7.3, but could be a source of trouble for new to Linux users. 
> > Are you having booting problems?
> >
> > What things are you trying to do with Linux that are not working to
> > your satisfaction?  What applications are you trying to use?  When
> > something doesn't work, does that something give you an error
> > message?
> >
> > Answers to any of the above questions will significantly improve
> > the quality and value (to you) of any answers you get from the
> > list.
> >
> > -jasons
> >
> > Aaron Vogel wrote:
> > > I am brand new to Linux and I need a lot of assistance.  I got
> > > fed up with having to rely on Windows for everything, so I
> > > decided to try Linux.  I recenlty purchased Red Hat Linux 7.3 and
> > > somewhat effectively installed it onto my computer and set it to
> > > dual boot with Windows XP.  However, I am having trouble getting
> > > it to work properly. What would you suggest that I do in order to
> > > get help with my Linux situation?  I want to be able to use Linux
> > > with a reasonable amount of comfort, but as of now, I am having a
> > > lot of trouble figuring it all out.  Whatever you can do to help
> > > would be greatly appreciated.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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