xserver running but not drawing to the screen

stav5 · 2019-04-06 16:27:01

Hi
i just finished installing arch onto my laptop and so now im trying to get a window manager up and running.

I first installed all the xorg packages using this command: pacman -S xorg-server xorg-xinit xorg-utils xorg-server-utils (although xorg-utils and xorg-server-utils couldn't be found)
(i also installed xorg-twm, xorg-xclock and xterm )

I then installed nvidias drivers using this command: pacman -S nvidia

and lastly i generated the xorg.conf file in /etc/X11 by running: nvidia-xconfig

The problem is that when i now type startx the terminal seem to start the xserver but then halts and becomes unresponsive

I believe im having the same issue as this guy: https://unix.stackexchange.com/question … ot-working

and oddly enough if i type "exit" the xserver terminates and the terminal becomes responsive again (which i think is because the "exit" shuts down xorg-twm which in turn makes the xserver terminate ).
So it is as if the actual xserver and window manager is running but its just not being displayed?

does anyone know whats going on?

Last edited by stav5 (2019-04-06 16:45:09)

Trilby · 2019-04-06 16:43:26

stav5 wrote:

does anyone know whats going on?

Yes. You are following third-party unsupported guides. Ask the author of the guide(s) you followed for help, or try again following the arch linux wiki.

stav5 · 2019-04-06 17:24:51

well the only guide i can find on the wiki is: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xorg
and that just tells me to do the same things: install xorg-server, xorg-apps and a driver and then run startx or initx.

I've tried removing the xorg.conf file that nvidia-xconfig generated and this results in a black screen when i run startx or initx (and if i then type "exit" it goes away and the terminal becomes visible again - so it still appear to be working, just not displaying)

I'd really appreciate it if you could help me

Last edited by stav5 (2019-04-06 17:29:33)

loqs · 2019-04-06 17:47:02

What contents of ~/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log if it exists if not /var/log/Xorg.0.log also the output of

lspci | grep -e VGA -e 3D

cameo · 2019-04-06 18:29:15

As Trilby stated, first try to follow the Arch's Nvidia-Wiki.
Also after installing Xorg stuff, it may help to re-log into your user or even reboot. Even the wiki says that at "#5" in its section Installation.

Then it's a very good idea to include a Pacman hook, otherwise with every new linux kernel you'd have to update initramfs manually, or X won't start.

V1del · 2019-04-06 19:25:40

@cameo no, that is only necessary if you add the modules to your initramfs explicitly, which you really don't have to do for nvidia modules

That said since this is a laptop, you should first post loqs' outputs, before following any further instructions, so we can properly point you at the correct resources.

cameo · 2019-04-06 19:31:01

@V1del, no, the automated hook stuff is the only way it works for me, though I added nvidia modules to mkinitcpio.conf! And after a kernel update I always have to wait for an updated nvidia-package, too (it’s nvidia-390xx to be more specific).

Last edited by cameo (2019-04-07 08:04:07)

Trilby · 2019-04-06 19:33:18

stav5 wrote:

I first installed all the xorg packages using this command: pacman -S xorg-server xorg-xinit xorg-utils xorg-server-utils (although xorg-utils and xorg-server-utils couldn't be found)

This is what I was referring to. Where did this command come from? Or where did you get that list of packages?

loqs · 2019-04-06 20:02:22

@Trilby it was from a response to the link they provided. The response was from jasonwryan Apr 29 '11 at 3:34 referencing https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Be … #Install_X

Trilby · 2019-04-06 20:24:44

Ah, well we all know JWR gives horrible advice!

Stav5, that information you were following was from 8 years ago! Don't follow ancient advice even when it is from respected members of the arch commity as it almost certainly no longer applies.

Arch Linux

#1 2019-04-06 16:27:01

xserver running but not drawing to the screen

#2 2019-04-06 16:43:26

Re: xserver running but not drawing to the screen

#3 2019-04-06 17:24:51

Re: xserver running but not drawing to the screen

#4 2019-04-06 17:47:02

Re: xserver running but not drawing to the screen

#5 2019-04-06 18:29:15

Re: xserver running but not drawing to the screen

#6 2019-04-06 19:25:40

Re: xserver running but not drawing to the screen

#7 2019-04-06 19:31:01

Re: xserver running but not drawing to the screen

#8 2019-04-06 19:33:18

Re: xserver running but not drawing to the screen

#9 2019-04-06 20:02:22

Re: xserver running but not drawing to the screen

#10 2019-04-06 20:24:44

Re: xserver running but not drawing to the screen

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