X server won't start (Arch Linux installed on USB key)

The Infinity · 2014-08-14 20:55:17

Hi,

I installed Arch Linux on a USB key (see the original thread: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=185441).
The problem is that X doesn't start on all machines.

When starting the system on a machine with NVIDIA GTX 560Ti graphics card:
- X doesn't start using startx or xinit and there are no log entries in /var/log/Xorg.*.log (as I haven't tried to start X).
- I'm getting the message "Waiting for X server to begin accepting connections .. .. .. ..".
- Additionally: The "default terminals tty1/2/3/..." (which I'm using to start X) from have a poor resolution (I think 640x480 pixel).

When starting the system on a virtual machine or a machine with an ATI Radeon (mobile) graphics card:
- X starts and runs without any trouble the XFCE desktop environment.
- Additionally: The default terminals have a proper resolution (I think the maximal resolution of the display).

What happens if you uninstall nvidia and use nouveau?

I installed all video drivers recommended here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/In … eo_drivers
So I was using nouveau in the first place. I already tried to uninstall the open source driver (xf86-video-nouveau, nouveau-dri) to use the default driver (I think this is xf86-video-vesa) with no effect.

The poor tty resolution is to be expected if the closed-source nvidia drivers are installed, because they don't support KMS.

I have never tried to install the proprietary driver (and actually don't want to use the proprietary driver).

Also have you looked in /etc/X11 ?

Yes. I don't think that my configuration contains anything preventing X from starting using the NVIDIA graphics card (but I'm not sure what to look for).

I'm starting X using "startx" or "xinit -- :0 -nolisten tcp vt$XDG_VTNR". Here's my ~/.xinitrc:

if [ -d /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.d ]; then
  for f in /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc.d/*; do
    [ -x "$f" ] && . "$f"
  done
  unset f
fi
exec startxfce4

Last edited by The Infinity (2014-08-14 21:17:41)

alphaniner · 2014-08-15 19:10:19

There's no solutions there now, but you might want to keep an eye on this thread.

The Infinity · 2014-08-17 02:34:56

I figured out where the problem comes from. It is actually the screen (which has a resolution of 1920x1080 pixel). When using a screen (with a smaller resolution) I'm getting a decent resolution in the terminal and - more imporant - X starts and seems to use the Nouveau driver (which I have installed again). When plugging my normal screen again (while X is running) I'm able to use this screen with the maximum resolution without problems (so only starting with this screen does not work). Now I have a reference point to fix the problem.
The other thread might be interesting as well.

Last edited by The Infinity (2014-08-17 02:36:57)

jasonwryan · 2014-08-17 02:45:19

Not an Installation issue, moving to Apps & DEs...

Arch Linux

#1 2014-08-14 20:55:17

X server won't start (Arch Linux installed on USB key)

#2 2014-08-15 19:10:19

Re: X server won't start (Arch Linux installed on USB key)

#3 2014-08-17 02:34:56

Re: X server won't start (Arch Linux installed on USB key)

#4 2014-08-17 02:45:19

Re: X server won't start (Arch Linux installed on USB key)

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