Failed to Start the Xserver

**celtic426** · 07-17-2007

Hello,

I am new to Linux and just in the past week have started trying to get acquainted with the different distros and stuff, trying to find one that suites me. I have about 6 or 7 different iso's burned to a cd for use of a live cd. I really haven't gotten any of them to work. Anyways here's my problem with Debian...After scanning through for a few minutes it says failed to start the xserver. The error report thing says 'Fatal server error: no screens found". Well I am on a laptop so that might be why its not finding any screens. Upon trying to install the other versions of linux, a lot of times I just get a black screen or something like that where it just stops. Could all this be because my screen can't be found? Well hopefully someone can help me with this. Thanks a lot.

hp pavilion laptop
2 gb RAM
intel core 2 duo 2.0 ghz
100 gb hard drive, 55 gb free
currently using windows vista

**devils casper** · 07-17-2007

Hi and Welcome !

you are having Graphics Problem only. which Graphics Card do you have?

check your Lappy's Manual for supported HorizSync, VertRefresh rates and Resolutions. when Debian throws "Fatal server error: no screens found" error, press Alt+Ctrl+F1. this will drop you on Command Line shell.log in as regular user.
execute this

Code:

su
dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

accept default options and enter correct HorizSync/VertiRefresh rates when prompted. select supported resolutions from the list. reboot machine.

**cheesecake42** · 07-17-2007

what is the model number for the hp laptop?

**jonantice** · 07-17-2007

Could you post the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf

**celtic426** · 07-17-2007

Ok guys, Thanks for the quick and nice responses. I appreciate it.

Devils_Casper, I will try that but I'm not sure where to find those refresh rates and stuff. I'll try google. Thanks.

Model Number of my hp laptop is dv6500 (i think thats the model number?)

And Jonantice, I do not know what that is lol.

**cheesecake42** · 07-17-2007

open a terminal and type the following:

Code:

gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

copy the text from that file here.

**celtic426** · 07-17-2007

grrr no luck...this is what happens

after it tells me the error about not finding any screensi am brought to a prompt that tells me there is no warranty and then its ays this: user@debian:~$

right there i type in what you guys told me to "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-org"

when i type that it says package not installed, xserver is not installed

and when i try to type "gedit /etc/x11/org.confg" i get this "cannot open display

null)

**devils casper** · 07-17-2007

which version of Debian do you have?
did you execute 'su' command before executing 'dpkg'?
post the output of this

Code:

ls /etc/X11

**cheesecake42** · 07-17-2007

Originally Posted by celtic426

grrr no luck...this is what happens

right there i type in what you guys told me to "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-org"

when i type that it says package not installed, xserver is not installed

and when i try to type "gedit /etc/x11/org.confg" i get this "cannot open display

null)

dpkg-reconfigure xserver-org should be this: dbkg-reconfigure xserver.org (period not a hyphen)

gedit /etc/x11/org.confg should be: gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf the file is xorg.conf and the "x" in "X11" has to be capitalized

**celtic426** · 07-18-2007

i tried typing both of those in, but nothing works. it just keeps saying command not installed or something. i am supposed to be typing this right after the $ sign right?

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