Arch Linux

deft

Member

Registered: 2005-03-14

Posts: 79

startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

Hi - have just installed:

arch 0.7 - base installation - 2.6 kernel

# pacman -S xorg
# pacman -S blackbox

no problems - now, problem is, after using either:

$  xorgconfig
# xorgconfig

and putting my xorg.conf file in /etc/X11 - when I do:

$ startx

I just get a blank screen - nothing

Now, if I remove the xorg.conf file from /etc/X11 and use arch's "autodetection" I'm able to get into Blackbox, but at too higher a resolution - obviosly i want to reduce the resoltion.

I've tried also, copying my xorg.conf file from my Gentoo system putting it in /etc/X11 and I still get the blank screen on trying startx.

So, does anyone have any ideas on where to start or possible tips with this.

My graphics "card" is an integrated Intel 845ge with an Nvidia GF4 MX440 "on top of it" - my Linux distro's usually have no probs recognizing/configuring one of those.

Thanks.

phrakture

Arch Overlord

From: behind you

Registered: 2003-10-29

Posts: 7,879

Website

Re: startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

Now, if I remove the xorg.conf file from /etc/X11 and use arch's "autodetection" I'm able to get into Blackbox, but at too higher a resolution - obviosly i want to reduce the resoltion.
...
my Linux distro's usually have no probs recognizing/configuring one of those.

Well, it seems the issue is your xorg.conf setup.  Arch tries not to autoconfigure anything.  If your hand-made xorg.conf file failed, but the hwd one worked, then you configured it wrong.

you need to check /var/log/X.0.log for errors and/or warnings.

If you'd like you can post your xorg.conf file here along with relevant sections of the X.0.log file... and we can help you out.

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deft

Member

Registered: 2005-03-14

Posts: 79

Re: startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

Thanks phrakture:

Here's the xorg.conf file:

# File generated by xorgconfig.

#
# Copyright 2004 The X.Org Foundation
#
# Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a
# copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"),
# to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation
# the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense,
# and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the
# Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
# 
# The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in
# all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
# 
# THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
# IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
# FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.  IN NO EVENT SHALL
# The X.Org Foundation BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY,
# WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF
# OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
# SOFTWARE.
# 
# Except as contained in this notice, the name of The X.Org Foundation shall
# not be used in advertising or otherwise to promote the sale, use or other
# dealings in this Software without prior written authorization from
# The X.Org Foundation.
#

# **********************************************************************
# Refer to the xorg.conf(5x) man page for details about the format of 
# this file.
# **********************************************************************

# **********************************************************************
# Module section -- this  section  is used to specify
# which dynamically loadable modules to load.
# **********************************************************************
#
Section "Module"

# This loads the DBE extension module.

    Load        "dbe"      # Double buffer extension

# This loads the miscellaneous extensions module, and disables
# initialisation of the XFree86-DGA extension within that module.
    SubSection  "extmod"
      Option    "omit xfree86-dga"   # don't initialise the DGA extension
    EndSubSection

# This loads the font modules
    Load        "type1"
#    Load        "speedo"
    Load        "freetype"
#    Load        "xtt"

# This loads the GLX module
#    Load       "glx"
# This loads the DRI module
#    Load       "dri"

EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Files section.  This allows default font and rgb paths to be set
# **********************************************************************

Section "Files"

# The location of the RGB database.  Note, this is the name of the
# file minus the extension (like ".txt" or ".db").  There is normally
# no need to change the default.

    RgbPath    "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/rgb"

# Multiple FontPath entries are allowed (which are concatenated together),
# as well as specifying multiple comma-separated entries in one FontPath
# command (or a combination of both methods)
# 
# 

    FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc/"
    FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/TTF/"
    FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/"
    FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/CID/"
    FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/"
    FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/"
    FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/local/"
#    FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Speedo/"
#    FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/TrueType/"
#    FontPath   "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/freefont/"

# The module search path.  The default path is shown here.

#    ModulePath "/usr/X11R6/lib/modules"

EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Server flags section.
# **********************************************************************

Section "ServerFlags"

# Uncomment this to cause a core dump at the spot where a signal is 
# received.  This may leave the console in an unusable state, but may
# provide a better stack trace in the core dump to aid in debugging

#    Option "NoTrapSignals"

# Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><Fn> VT switch sequence
# (where n is 1 through 12).  This allows clients to receive these key
# events.

#    Option "DontVTSwitch"

# Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><BS> server abort sequence
# This allows clients to receive this key event.

#    Option "DontZap"

# Uncomment this to disable the <Crtl><Alt><KP_+>/<KP_-> mode switching
# sequences.  This allows clients to receive these key events.

#    Option "Dont Zoom"

# Uncomment this to disable tuning with the xvidtune client. With
# it the client can still run and fetch card and monitor attributes,
# but it will not be allowed to change them. If it tries it will
# receive a protocol error.

#    Option "DisableVidModeExtension"

# Uncomment this to enable the use of a non-local xvidtune client. 

#    Option "AllowNonLocalXvidtune"

# Uncomment this to disable dynamically modifying the input device
# (mouse and keyboard) settings. 

#    Option "DisableModInDev"

# Uncomment this to enable the use of a non-local client to
# change the keyboard or mouse settings (currently only xset).

#    Option "AllowNonLocalModInDev"

EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Input devices
# **********************************************************************

# **********************************************************************
# Core keyboard's InputDevice section
# **********************************************************************

Section "InputDevice"

    Identifier    "Keyboard1"
    Driver    "kbd"

# For most OSs the protocol can be omitted (it defaults to "Standard").
# When using XQUEUE (only for SVR3 and SVR4, but not Solaris),
# uncomment the following line.

#    Option     "Protocol"      "Xqueue"

    Option "AutoRepeat" "500 30"

# Specify which keyboard LEDs can be user-controlled (eg, with xset(1))
#    Option    "Xleds"      "1 2 3"

#    Option "LeftAlt"     "Meta"
#    Option "RightAlt"    "ModeShift"

# To customise the XKB settings to suit your keyboard, modify the
# lines below (which are the defaults).  For example, for a non-U.S.
# keyboard, you will probably want to use:
#    Option "XkbModel"    "pc102"
# If you have a US Microsoft Natural keyboard, you can use:
#    Option "XkbModel"    "microsoft"
#
# Then to change the language, change the Layout setting.
# For example, a german layout can be obtained with:
#    Option "XkbLayout"   "de"
# or:
#    Option "XkbLayout"   "de"
#    Option "XkbVariant"  "nodeadkeys"
#
# If you'd like to switch the positions of your capslock and
# control keys, use:
#    Option "XkbOptions"  "ctrl:swapcaps"

# These are the default XKB settings for Xorg
#    Option "XkbRules"    "xorg"
#    Option "XkbModel"    "pc101"
#    Option "XkbLayout"   "us"
#    Option "XkbVariant"  ""
#    Option "XkbOptions"  ""

#    Option "XkbDisable"

    Option "XkbRules"    "xorg"
    Option "XkbModel"    "pc105"
    Option "XkbLayout"    "gb"

EndSection


# **********************************************************************
# Core Pointer's InputDevice section
# **********************************************************************

Section "InputDevice"

# Identifier and driver


    Identifier    "Mouse1"
    Driver    "mouse"
    Option "Protocol"    "IMPS/2"
    Option "Device"      "/dev/mouse"

# Mouse-speed setting for PS/2 mouse.

#    Option "Resolution"    "256"

# When using XQUEUE, comment out the above two lines, and uncomment
# the following line.

#    Option "Protocol"    "Xqueue"

# Baudrate and SampleRate are only for some Logitech mice. In
# almost every case these lines should be omitted.

#    Option "BaudRate"    "9600"
#    Option "SampleRate"    "150"

# Emulate3Buttons is an option for 2-button Microsoft mice
# Emulate3Timeout is the timeout in milliseconds (default is 50ms)

    Option "Emulate3Buttons"
#    Option "Emulate3Timeout"    "50"

# ChordMiddle is an option for some 3-button Logitech mice

#    Option "ChordMiddle"

EndSection


# **********************************************************************
# Other input device sections 
# this is optional and is required only if you
# are using extended input devices.  This is for example only.  Refer
# to the xorg.conf man page for a description of the options.
# **********************************************************************
#
# Section "InputDevice" 
#    Identifier  "Mouse2"
#    Driver      "mouse"
#    Option      "Protocol"      "MouseMan"
#    Option      "Device"        "/dev/mouse2"
# EndSection
#
# Section "InputDevice"
#    Identifier "spaceball"
#    Driver     "magellan"
#    Option     "Device"        "/dev/cua0"
# EndSection
#
# Section "InputDevice"
#    Identifier "spaceball2"
#    Driver     "spaceorb"
#    Option     "Device"        "/dev/cua0"
# EndSection
#
# Section "InputDevice"
#    Identifier "touchscreen0"
#    Driver     "microtouch"
#    Option     "Device"        "/dev/ttyS0"
#    Option     "MinX"          "1412"
#    Option     "MaxX"          "15184"
#    Option     "MinY"          "15372"
#    Option     "MaxY"          "1230"
#    Option     "ScreenNumber"  "0"
#    Option     "ReportingMode" "Scaled"
#    Option     "ButtonNumber"  "1"
#    Option     "SendCoreEvents"
# EndSection
#
# Section "InputDevice"
#    Identifier "touchscreen1"
#    Driver     "elo2300"
#    Option     "Device"        "/dev/ttyS0"
#    Option     "MinX"          "231"
#    Option     "MaxX"          "3868"
#    Option     "MinY"          "3858"
#    Option     "MaxY"          "272"
#    Option     "ScreenNumber"  "0"
#    Option     "ReportingMode" "Scaled"
#    Option     "ButtonThreshold"       "17"
#    Option     "ButtonNumber"  "1"
#    Option     "SendCoreEvents"
# EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# Monitor section
# **********************************************************************

# Any number of monitor sections may be present

Section "Monitor"

    Identifier  "My Monitor"

# HorizSync is in kHz unless units are specified.
# HorizSync may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY.  REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.

    HorizSync   31.5 - 79.0

#    HorizSync    30-64         # multisync
#    HorizSync    31.5, 35.2    # multiple fixed sync frequencies
#    HorizSync    15-25, 30-50  # multiple ranges of sync frequencies

# VertRefresh is in Hz unless units are specified.
# VertRefresh may be a comma separated list of discrete values, or a
# comma separated list of ranges of values.
# NOTE: THE VALUES HERE ARE EXAMPLES ONLY.  REFER TO YOUR MONITOR'S
# USER MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT NUMBERS.

    VertRefresh 40-150

EndSection


# **********************************************************************
# Graphics device section
# **********************************************************************

# Any number of graphics device sections may be present

# Standard VGA Device:

Section "Device"
    Identifier    "Standard VGA"
    VendorName    "Unknown"
    BoardName    "Unknown"

# The chipset line is optional in most cases.  It can be used to override
# the driver's chipset detection, and should not normally be specified.

#    Chipset    "generic"

# The Driver line must be present.  When using run-time loadable driver
# modules, this line instructs the server to load the specified driver
# module.  Even when not using loadable driver modules, this line
# indicates which driver should interpret the information in this section.

    Driver     "vga"
# The BusID line is used to specify which of possibly multiple devices
# this section is intended for.  When this line isn't present, a device
# section can only match up with the primary video device.  For PCI
# devices a line like the following could be used.  This line should not
# normally be included unless there is more than one video device
# intalled.

#    BusID      "PCI:0:10:0"

#    VideoRam    256

#    Clocks    25.2 28.3

EndSection

# Device configured by xorgconfig:

Section "Device"
    Identifier  "** NVIDIA (generic)                   [nv]"
    Driver      "nv"
    VideoRam    65536
    # Insert Clocks lines here if appropriate
EndSection


# **********************************************************************
# Screen sections
# **********************************************************************

# Any number of screen sections may be present.  Each describes
# the configuration of a single screen.  A single specific screen section
# may be specified from the X server command line with the "-screen"
# option.
Section "Screen"
    Identifier  "Screen 1"
    Device      "** NVIDIA (generic)                   [nv]"
    Monitor     "My Monitor"
    DefaultDepth 16

    Subsection "Display"
        Depth       8
        Modes       "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
        Virtual     1600 1280
    EndSubsection
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth       16
        Modes       "800x600" "640x480" "1024x768"
        ViewPort    0 0
        Virtual     1280 1024
    EndSubsection
    Subsection "Display"
        Depth       24
        Modes       "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
        ViewPort    0 0
        Virtual     1152 900
    EndSubsection
EndSection

# **********************************************************************
# ServerLayout sections.
# **********************************************************************

# Any number of ServerLayout sections may be present.  Each describes
# the way multiple screens are organised.  A specific ServerLayout
# section may be specified from the X server command line with the
# "-layout" option.  In the absence of this, the first section is used.
# When now ServerLayout section is present, the first Screen section
# is used alone.

Section "ServerLayout"

# The Identifier line must be present
    Identifier  "Simple Layout"

# Each Screen line specifies a Screen section name, and optionally
# the relative position of other screens.  The four names after
# primary screen name are the screens to the top, bottom, left and right
# of the primary screen.  In this example, screen 2 is located to the
# right of screen 1.

    Screen "Screen 1"

# Each InputDevice line specifies an InputDevice section name and
# optionally some options to specify the way the device is to be
# used.  Those options include "CorePointer", "CoreKeyboard" and
# "SendCoreEvents".

    InputDevice "Mouse1" "CorePointer"
    InputDevice "Keyboard1" "CoreKeyboard"

EndSection

# Section "DRI"
#    Mode 0666
# EndSection

Here's the end of the /var/log/X.0.log: - the errors are at the end.

(==) NV(0): Write-combining range (0xd0000000,0x4000000)
(II) NV(0): Using XFree86 Acceleration Architecture (XAA)
    Screen to screen bit blits
    Solid filled rectangles
    8x8 mono pattern filled rectangles
    Indirect CPU to Screen color expansion
    Solid Lines
    Scanline Image Writes
    Offscreen Pixmaps
    Setting up tile and stipple cache:
        32 128x128 slots
        32 256x256 slots
        16 512x512 slots
(==) NV(0): Backing store disabled
(==) NV(0): Silken mouse enabled
(==) RandR enabled
(II) Initializing built-in extension MIT-SHM
(II) Initializing built-in extension XInputExtension
(II) Initializing built-in extension XTEST
(II) Initializing built-in extension XKEYBOARD
(II) Initializing built-in extension LBX
(II) Initializing built-in extension XC-APPGROUP
(II) Initializing built-in extension SECURITY
(II) Initializing built-in extension XINERAMA
(II) Initializing built-in extension XFIXES
(II) Initializing built-in extension XFree86-Bigfont
(II) Initializing built-in extension RENDER
(II) Initializing built-in extension RANDR
(II) Initializing built-in extension COMPOSITE
(II) Initializing built-in extension DAMAGE
(II) Initializing built-in extension XEVIE
(**) Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
(**) Mouse1: Device: "/dev/mouse"
(**) Mouse1: Protocol: "IMPS/2"
(**) Option "CorePointer"
(**) Mouse1: Core Pointer
(**) Option "Device" "/dev/mouse"
(EE) xf86OpenSerial: Cannot open device /dev/mouse
    No such file or directory.
(EE) Mouse1: cannot open input device
(EE) PreInit failed for input device "Mouse1"
(II) UnloadModule: "mouse"
(**) Option "CoreKeyboard"
(**) Keyboard1: Core Keyboard
(**) Option "Protocol" "standard"
(**) Keyboard1: Protocol: standard
(**) Option "AutoRepeat" "500 30"
(**) Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
(**) Keyboard1: XkbRules: "xorg"
(**) Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
(**) Keyboard1: XkbModel: "pc105"
(**) Option "XkbLayout" "gb"
(**) Keyboard1: XkbLayout: "gb"
(**) Option "CustomKeycodes" "off"
(**) Keyboard1: CustomKeycodes disabled
(WW) No core pointer registered
(II) XINPUT: Adding extended input device "Keyboard1" (type: KEYBOARD)
No core pointer

Fatal server error:
failed to initialize core devices

Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support 
     at http://wiki.X.Org
 for help. 
Please also check the log file at "/var/log/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.


   *** If unresolved symbols were reported above, they might not
   *** be the reason for the server aborting.

FatalError re-entered, aborting
Caught signal 11.  Server aborting

Disc-Devil

Member

Registered: 2005-03-07

Posts: 33

Re: startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

Section "InputDevice" 

# Identifier and driver 


    Identifier   "Mouse1" 
    Driver   "mouse" 
    Option "Protocol"    "IMPS/2" 
    Option "Device"      "/dev/mouse" 

Option "Device"   "/dev/mouse" Try change this line to: Option "Device"   "/dev/input/mouse0"

I think that it will solve your problem..

I had that problem myself, with a newly configured X. It wouldnt start, it "blanked" out... and i could do nothing...

So, i looked around... and find out the above. I pointed the mouse to the right spot, and everything else worked just fine.

//--// D-D

shadowhand

Member

From: MN, USA

Registered: 2004-02-19

Posts: 1,142

Website

Re: startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

Did you edit your .xinitrc file?

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arooaroo

Member

From: London, UK

Registered: 2005-01-13

Posts: 1,268

Website

Re: startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

Option "Device"   "/dev/mouse" Try change this line to: Option "Device"   "/dev/input/mouse0"

I think that it will solve your problem..

I agree with Disc-Devil, although I have /dev/input/mice in my xorg.conf.

---

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deft

Member

Registered: 2005-03-14

Posts: 79

Re: startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

Option "Device" "/dev/mouse" Try change this line to: Option "Device" "/dev/input/mouse0"

I think that it will solve your problem..

Your a genius Disc-Devil - that worked perfectly - cheers man and thanks again - now happily at 800*600

Thanks everyone.

shadowhand

Member

From: MN, USA

Registered: 2004-02-19

Posts: 1,142

Website

Re: startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

Technically, it's supposed to be /dev/input/mice so that it reads all the mice present on the system. But most people only have one mouse. I guess it would make a difference if you had a joystick and a mouse and wanted to use them concurrently. 

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phrakture

Arch Overlord

From: behind you

Registered: 2003-10-29

Posts: 7,879

Website

Re: startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

Option "Device" "/dev/mouse" Try change this line to: Option "Device" "/dev/input/mouse0"

I think that it will solve your problem..

Your a genius Disc-Devil - that worked perfectly - cheers man and thanks again - now happily at 800*600

Thanks everyone.

I'd use /dev/input/mice as it is a combination of all mouse devices (that way you can plug in 40 mice if you want and they'll all work)

---

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phrakture

Arch Overlord

From: behind you

Registered: 2003-10-29

Posts: 7,879

Website

Re: startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

FYI, you're problem is here:

Fatal server error:
failed to initialize core devices 

the "core devices" are mouse and keyboard (and other interface things, like drawing pads, touch screens).  So it either failed to initialize your mouse or keyboard....

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deft

Member

Registered: 2005-03-14

Posts: 79

Re: startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

Thanks phrakture - that's cleared it up further.

Thanks again.

Disc-Devil

Member

Registered: 2005-03-07

Posts: 33

Re: startx blank screen when xorg.conf is present

shadowhand:

Technically, it's supposed to be /dev/input/mice so that it reads all the mice present on the system. But most people only have one mouse. I guess it would make a difference if you had a joystick and a mouse and wanted to use them concurrently.

As i have understood it, /dev/input/mice is for USB mouses... and /dev/input/mouse0 is for mouses connected to ps/2 (also com i think).

Well, i could be wrong here.. so please tell me if i am..

deft

glad it worked for you

Cheers all