X Server failed to start

[Codegreen12]

I know this has been posted before, but I get confused with all the exact specs that need to be put in.

I have just installed openSUSE and when I am trying to boot it I got the "X server failed to start" blue screen and need to get it working again.

I am actually switching from Ubuntu to openSUSE and had a similar problem when installing Ubuntu, but I got around this by starting in safe graphics mode, is there a similar thing for openSUSE?

I have a Dimension 2400 Dell working on a ATI Radeon 9200 (128MB) graphics card. And just to be safe, here is all of my monitor specs...

General
Display Type Flat panel display / TFT active matrix

Width 13.5 in

Depth 5.8 in

Height 13.7 in

Weight 6 lbs

Enclosure Color Black

Compatibility PC, Mac
Display
Diagonal Size 15"

Viewable Size 15"

Max Resolution 1024 x 768

Max Sync Rate (V x H) 85 Hz x 82 kHz

Response Time 12 ms

Controls / Adjustments Brightness, contrast, H/V position, sharpness, input select

Display Screen Coating Anti-glare

Backlight Life 50,000 hour(s)

Interface VGA (HD-15)

Features ViewMatch, OnView, sRGB color management, Dynamic Structure Technology
Image
Image Color Temperature 9300K, adjustable, 6500K, 6800K

Image Brightness 250 cd/m2

Image Contrast Ratio 500:1

Image Max H-View Angle 160

Image Max V-View Angle 115
Video Input
Analog Video Signal RGB
Expansion / Connectivity
Interfaces 1 x VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
Miscellaneous
Cables Included 1 x VGA cable

Flat Panel Mount Interface 75 x 75 mm

Features Wall mountable

Compliant Standards FCC Class B certified, CE, UL, TUV GS, C-Tick, BSMI, ISO 9001, GOST, cUL, EPA Energy Star, NOM, SASO, TCO '99, TUV S, ISO 14001, CCC, TUV Ergo, PSB, RoHS
Power
Form Factor Internal

Voltage Required AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )

Power Consumption Operational 23 Watt
Software / System Requirements
Software Included ViewSonic Wizard
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 3 years warranty

Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 3 years
Environmental Parameters
Min Operating Temperature 32 °F

Max Operating Temperature 104 °F

Humidity Range Operating 20 - 90%

Please be patient with me, I am new to Linux and won't understand many commands if you don't just say how to imput them.

[gogalthorp]

When you say bue screen your are talking about an error screen like in windows aren't you?? I never saw one of those in Linux

Do you get a logon prompt in a terminal (ie text)?

If so
Log on as root

run sax2

This should lead you through the graphics/monitor setup.

If this works ok then run

Init 5

This should start the GUI

BTW Is there also a vidio chip on the mother board? If so This should be disabled in the BIOS

[Codegreen12]

Yes I do get a login terminal after the error.

this is what I got when I tried running sax2

SaX: initializing please wait...
Sax: your current configuration will not be read in

Sax: no X-server is running
Sax: will start own server if needed (after this came up it switched to a gridded screen with a X in the center then, after a second or two, switched back to the command prompt)
ISaX: ups lost card during probing... abort
SaX: something went wrong while X was called with -probeonly
SaX: try to call 'sax2 -p' and select a single device ?
abort


I tried running sax2 -p, and it brought up this

Chip: 0 is -> Intel i845
Chip: 1 is -> ATI RV280 5960

From what you and it are showing, I need to use Chip 1 instead of Chip 0, how do I do what you said and disable the motherboard chip in the BIOS?

[gogalthorp]

It depends on the BIOS/motherboard.

[Codegreen12]

Is there a way for me to check it using the prompt or am I going to have to open up my computer and check?

[Codegreen12]

Ok, using advice from another forum I ran sax2 -c1 and got it to work, now just need to figure out how to get my DSL card to work...

[gogalthorp]

Oh boy

No when you boot the computer you get a splash screen of some sort for a short time. Depending on make and model you must press a key to enter the BIOS. Which key is make dependent. Normally at the bottom of the screen it will tell you what key. If it does not try the DEL key or get it from the manufacturer.

Now again this is very dependent on make and model but you will then find a buch of stuff for the basic configuration of the computer look for anything dealing with the video adapter. In theory you should be able to disable the video.

Unfortunitly Dell is not very good and providing this capibility. It is a crap shoot whether your model can or can't.

Dell has real recently found religion and plans to sell machines with Ubuntu installed. Maybe if you ding support they might tell you how to disable the on board video so you too can run Linux with a good video card.

BTW BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System