Arch Linux

PrimoTurbo

Member

Registered: 2008-06-26

Posts: 109

Website

[Help] Black screen in VirtualBox when starting x

I'm setting up arch linux in VirtualBox before I try it on my own system, just to get comfortable with the setup. I'm using the official install guide and http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners_Guide

So far I have been able install a arch base install and get internet working. I'm stuck on this step - http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beg … figuring_X

I have so far done everything, however I am unable to startx or to try the X -config /root/xorg.conf.new test.

When I do X -config /root/xorg.conf.new or startx, I get a blank(black screen) I have to CTRL+ALT+BACKSPACE to get back to terminal.

This is the output from /var/log/Xorg.0.log
http://archlinux.pastebin.com/f533bc2a3

The problem occurs at the end.

#
(II) VESA(0): Total Memory: 128 64KB banks (8192kB)
#
(II) VESA(0): Monitor0: Using hsync range of 28.00-96.00 kHz
#
(II) VESA(0): Monitor0: Using vrefresh range of 50.00-75.00 Hz
#
(II) VESA(0): Not using built-in mode "1024x768" (no mode of this name)
#
(II) VESA(0): Not using built-in mode "800x600" (no mode of this name)
#
(II) VESA(0): Not using built-in mode "640x480" (no mode of this name)
#
(II) VESA(0): Not using built-in mode "1280x1024" (no mode of this name)
#
(II) VESA(0): Not using built-in mode "1152x864" (no mode of this name)
#
(II) VESA(0): Not using built-in mode "320x200" (no mode of this name)
#
(WW) VESA(0): No valid modes left.  Trying less strict filter...
#
(II) VESA(0): Monitor0: Using hsync range of 28.00-96.00 kHz
#
(II) VESA(0): Monitor0: Using vrefresh range of 50.00-75.00 Hz

This is my /etc/X11/xorg.conf it's the same as /root/xorg.conf.new
http://archlinux.pastebin.com/f3a67ef8b

I have tried Xorg -configure, xorgcfg, xorgconfig & finally hwd -xa to generate and test various xorg.conf files and it's always the same result. I've also manually tried to edit them and remove resolution and but same problem.

I have not been able to install Guest Additions in VirtualBox because it doesn't seem to mount anything in /media/cd or /media/dvd or anywhere in /mnt/ so I don't know why this is. Not sure if this related to the problem.

Highly appreciate any suggestions.

live4nothing

Member

Registered: 2008-07-12

Posts: 12

Re: [Help] Black screen in VirtualBox when starting x

I am new to Archlinux too. However, I did install Arch in virtualbox. Everything works fine except the resolution. It's stuck at 800x600. To get X to work, ignore the black screen, get back to the terminal, mount the additions iso and then install the addition as root. This will setup the virtualbox addition drivers (mouse and video card). Hope this help. In case you got the resolution working, please let me know

PrimoTurbo

Member

Registered: 2008-06-26

Posts: 109

Website

Re: [Help] Black screen in VirtualBox when starting x

So basically I had to type "mount /media/cdrom" I got so used to demons mounting that I didn't know you had to mount this way I also had to get all the build packages and then install guest additions.

After that I struggled with sound for a few hours, later I realized that VirtualBox has it audio output to (null) or none so I just selected my windows sound output and restarted.

I had no problem with resolution, my default resolution was selected as 1024x768.