Ubuntu Failure to Start X

**gandhi** · 08-23-2006

I just installed Ubuntu 6.06.1 on my Dell Inspiron 8200 laptop, and after the installation from the live cd finished, I rebooted and everything seemed to work fine (gnome started, I installed the available updates, opened firefox, no problems). The next time I tried to start Ubuntu, however, I received an error "Failed to start the X server (your graphical interface). It is likely that is it not set up correctly. Would you like to view the X server output to diagnose the problem?" I logged in from the CLI and checked out the contents of the log file /var/log/Xorg.0.log but I have no idea what I should look for and whether I need to make changes in the config file /etc/X11/xorg.conf I'm using an nVidia GeForce 4 440 Go video card, by the way. I would really appreciate any advice.

**genesus** · 08-23-2006

you could try to completely reconfig your file with xorgcfg, this should get you a useable desktop, and you can set up your specific card later on with nvidia drivers

**richiefrich** · 08-23-2006

if you would please paste the log file and the config file.. thank you so much. there could be many possible reasons on why X doesnt load

**ehawk** · 08-23-2006

This was a problem with the ubuntu repository, the xorg developers screwed up, and ubuntu didn't catch it. It's fixed now. Check the ubuntu forum for the (closed) thread which described solutions before the package was fixed.

**bigtomrodney** · 08-23-2006

No need to look for the fix, simply update again to correct the problem. The 'patch for the patch' is out now

Make sure you are online and log in at command line -

Code:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
/etc/init.d/gdm restart

This will replace your X server and restart GDM so you can login.

**gandhi** · 08-24-2006

I ran the apt-get update and upgrade commands and then tried to restart gdm, but it failed. I then tried rebooting and it worked fine! Hooray! Thanks for helping out this linux newb bigtomrodney!

**bigtomrodney** · 08-24-2006

Anytime dude, just paying it forward

**Maya** · 09-10-2006

Originally Posted by bigtomrodney

No need to look for the fix, simply update again to correct the problem. The 'patch for the patch' is out now

Make sure you are online and log in at command line -

Code:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
/etc/init.d/gdm restart

This will replace your X server and restart GDM so you can login.

When I try this, I reboot and the error is the same. Am I doing something wrong?

Thread Tools

Display

Ubuntu Failure to Start X

Failed to Start X server.

Posting Permissions