permission denied

[syntax error]

Ive just installed my first Linux OS. First on a Laptop No Probs. Now on the desktop and i have nothing but problems. First, it doesent start the GDM so its all text based. but there I basically cant do anything because almost everything i try result in "permission denied" (/dev/cdrom, /etc/fstab, /var/log and some more of what seems to be the more useful commands.

My setup:
Intel core2 quad 2.4 775
ATI X800XT PCI
200GB HD in 2 Partions with linux on 21.0GB + 5GB swap (the rest has nothing on it)
2GB RAM
Debian 4.0

just before Install I tried to rearrange the HD with Partionon Magic but it froze in the middle of the repartion and Windows didnt boot anymore, I booted from the debian DVD and deleted the broken Windiws partion from there. One interesting thing is that when I try to boot from a XP CD now it stops working at the loading windows stage

Any ideas??, is the disk completely broken??? what can b done???

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !

You must have root privileges to edit any file outside /home/<your_id> folder. Execute su command to gain root privileges.
Execute startx command and post error message here, if any.

just before Install I tried to rearrange the HD with Partionon Magic but it froze in the middle of the repartion and Windows didnt boot anymore, I booted from the debian DVD and deleted the broken Windiws partion from there. One interesting thing is that when I try to boot from a XP CD now it stops working at the loading windows stage

Windows XP installation CD doesn't work in a few machines after Linux Installation. Boot up from SuperGRUB CD and select 'Fix Windows Boot Loader' option from list. It will remove GRUB from MBR and Windows Installation CD will work on reboot. You wont be able to boot up Linux after fixing Windows and you have to re-install GRUB ( Boot Loader ).

[syntax error]

thanks

Fatal Server error:
no screens found
XI0: fatal IO error 104 (connection reset by peer) on X server ":0.0"
after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 event remaining.

[syntax error]

also, i try to access the fstab from root or from su command and I always get the "permission denied" response ......how can i get around this please

[devils casper]

Execute this

lspci | grep VGA
cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf | grep Driver

Post output here.

As I mentioned earlier, su provides root privileges.
Have you tried this

su -
nano /etc/fstab

Which version of Debian do you have?

[syntax error]

Section "Device"
Identifier "ATI Technologies Inc R423 5F57 [Radeon X800XT (PCIE)]
driver "ati"
BusID "PCI:1:0:0"
End Section

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Syncmaster"
Option "DPMS"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default screen"
Device "ATI Technologies Inc R423 5F57 [Radeon X800XT (PCIE)]
Monitor "Syncmaster"
DefaultDepth 24
Subsection Display
Depth 1
Modes "1650x1050" "1250x1024 and so on to "640x480"
End Subsection
Subsection 4, 8, 15, 16, 24 same as Subsection 1
Endsection

Section "server layout"
Identifier "default layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
Input device "Generic keyboard"
Input device "Configured mouse"
End Section

Section "DRI"
Mode 0666
EndSection



Nano /etc/fstab works..............thanks

version is 4.0 for i386

[devils casper]

What about HorizSync and VertRefresh rates? Check your Monitor's manual for supported rates.

Section "Monitor"
       Identifier     "Syncmaster"
       HorizSync       xxxx - xxxx
       VertRefresh    xxxx - xxxx
       Option       "DPMS"
EndSection

[Pianoman216]

Dont know if it helps or not (I'm really new to this and dont know much at all) but every time my console denies me access I just use the following code:

chmod 777 <filename>

This will change the specified files permissions to global read write execute. Basically it lets anyone do whatever they want with the file. For security reasons you might want to try chmod 110 instead. This will allow users on your computer only to execute only. Hope it helps.

[devils casper]

I wont suggest to change permissions. Its a Graphics Card problem only and setting correct driver will sort it out.

[Pianoman216]

yeah...I'd go with him