[SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

RichKat · 2020-08-15 15:02:14

I'm trying to install bspwm, but instead of starting it the computer gets stuck in a state where most of the screen is black, the top left corner looks like a white console except I can't type anything and the only thing it says is "Couldn't execute the configuration file." At this point I have to restart my pc.

How I got to this point:

I installed Xorg, and startx works on its own.
I installed bspwm with

pacman -S bspwm

I copied over the example configuration by copying bspwmrc and sxhkdrc from /usr/share/doc/bspwm/examples/ into ~/.config/bspwm/ and ~/.config/sxhkd/ as per the wiki entry on bspwm, though I had to create both of the target directories in ~/.config/
I attempted to start baspwm with

xinit bspwm

and then

startx bspwm

as per the wiki entry (at least as far as I understand it). Both resulted in errors, and when I tried them with sudo I ended up in the situation detailed above.

Have I missed something out? Have I misinterpreted something on the wiki? Any help is appreciated.

Last edited by RichKat (2020-08-22 11:21:37)

Trilby · 2020-08-15 15:16:53

RichKat wrote:

Both resulted in errors, and when I tried them with sudo I ended up in the situation detailed above.

Never startx / xinit with sudo. Ever. That has likely created new additional problems.

However, starting as a regular user should have worked - so we should troubleshoot that. But you'll need to tell us what errors that produced. Post complete xorg logs from those attempts.

Last edited by Trilby (2020-08-15 15:17:23)

RichKat · 2020-08-15 15:42:38

Never startx / xinit with sudo. Ever.

Understood.

Here are the logs from attempting xinit bspwm.

[  2754.407] (WW) Failed to open protocol names file lib/xorg/protocol.txt
[  2754.409] 
X.Org X Server 1.20.8
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
[  2754.415] Build Operating System: Linux Arch Linux
[  2754.417] Current Operating System: Linux arch 5.7.12-arch1-1 #1 SMP PREEMPT Fri, 31 Jul 2020 17:38:22 +0000 x86_64
[  2754.417] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-linux root=UUID=a3df806b-78d7-4e1e-9f6a-4bce7edb3844 rw loglevel=3 quiet
[  2754.420] Build Date: 31 July 2020  04:00:57PM
[  2754.421]  
[  2754.421] Current version of pixman: 0.40.0
[  2754.423] 	Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
	to make sure that you have the latest version.
[  2754.423] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
	(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
	(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[  2754.428] (==) Log file: "/home/richard/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log", Time: Sat Aug 15 15:36:44 2020
[  2754.430] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[  2754.430] (==) No Layout section.  Using the first Screen section.
[  2754.430] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
[  2754.430] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
[  2754.430] (**) |   |-->Monitor "<default monitor>"
[  2754.430] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
	Using a default monitor configuration.
[  2754.430] (==) Automatically adding devices
[  2754.430] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[  2754.430] (==) Automatically adding GPU devices
[  2754.430] (==) Automatically binding GPU devices
[  2754.430] (==) Max clients allowed: 256, resource mask: 0x1fffff
[  2754.430] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/misc" does not exist.
[  2754.430] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[  2754.430] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/TTF" does not exist.
[  2754.430] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[  2754.430] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/OTF" does not exist.
[  2754.430] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[  2754.430] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/Type1" does not exist.
[  2754.430] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[  2754.430] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/100dpi" does not exist.
[  2754.430] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[  2754.430] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/75dpi" does not exist.
[  2754.430] 	Entry deleted from font path.
[  2754.430] (==) FontPath set to:
	
[  2754.430] (==) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
[  2754.430] (II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
	If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
[  2754.430] (II) Module ABI versions:
[  2754.430] 	X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[  2754.430] 	X.Org Video Driver: 24.1
[  2754.430] 	X.Org XInput driver : 24.1
[  2754.430] 	X.Org Server Extension : 10.0
[  2754.433] (II) systemd-logind: took control of session /org/freedesktop/login1/session/_31
[  2754.434] (II) xfree86: Adding drm device (/dev/dri/card1)
[  2754.434] (II) systemd-logind: got fd for /dev/dri/card1 226:1 fd 10 paused 0
[  2754.434] (II) xfree86: Adding drm device (/dev/dri/card0)
[  2754.435] (II) systemd-logind: got fd for /dev/dri/card0 226:0 fd 11 paused 0
[  2754.438] (--) PCI:*(0@0:2:0) 8086:3e9b:1028:093c rev 2, Mem @ 0x6043000000/16777216, 0x4000000000/268435456, I/O @ 0x00005000/64, BIOS @ 0x????????/131072
[  2754.438] (--) PCI: (1@0:0:0) 10de:1e90:1028:093c rev 161, Mem @ 0x67000000/16777216, 0x6030000000/268435456, 0x6040000000/33554432, I/O @ 0x00004000/128, BIOS @ 0x????????/524288
[  2754.438] (WW) Open ACPI failed (/var/run/acpid.socket) (No such file or directory)
[  2754.438] (II) LoadModule: "glx"
[  2754.438] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so
[  2754.439] (II) Module glx: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[  2754.439] 	compiled for 1.20.8, module version = 1.0.0
[  2754.439] 	ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 10.0
[  2754.439] (==) Matched intel as autoconfigured driver 0
[  2754.439] (==) Matched nouveau as autoconfigured driver 1
[  2754.439] (==) Matched nv as autoconfigured driver 2
[  2754.439] (==) Matched modesetting as autoconfigured driver 3
[  2754.439] (==) Matched fbdev as autoconfigured driver 4
[  2754.439] (==) Matched vesa as autoconfigured driver 5
[  2754.439] (==) Assigned the driver to the xf86ConfigLayout
[  2754.439] (II) LoadModule: "intel"
[  2754.439] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/intel_drv.so
[  2754.439] (II) Module intel: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[  2754.439] 	compiled for 1.20.8, module version = 2.99.917
[  2754.439] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[  2754.439] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 24.1
[  2754.439] (II) LoadModule: "nouveau"
[  2754.439] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module nouveau
[  2754.439] (EE) Failed to load module "nouveau" (module does not exist, 0)
[  2754.439] (II) LoadModule: "nv"
[  2754.439] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module nv
[  2754.439] (EE) Failed to load module "nv" (module does not exist, 0)
[  2754.439] (II) LoadModule: "modesetting"
[  2754.439] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/modesetting_drv.so
[  2754.440] (II) Module modesetting: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[  2754.440] 	compiled for 1.20.8, module version = 1.20.8
[  2754.440] 	Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[  2754.440] 	ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 24.1
[  2754.440] (II) LoadModule: "fbdev"
[  2754.440] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module fbdev
[  2754.440] (EE) Failed to load module "fbdev" (module does not exist, 0)
[  2754.440] (II) LoadModule: "vesa"
[  2754.440] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module vesa
[  2754.440] (EE) Failed to load module "vesa" (module does not exist, 0)
[  2754.440] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Integrated Graphics Chipsets:
	i810, i810-dc100, i810e, i815, i830M, 845G, 854, 852GM/855GM, 865G,
	915G, E7221 (i915), 915GM, 945G, 945GM, 945GME, Pineview GM,
	Pineview G, 965G, G35, 965Q, 946GZ, 965GM, 965GME/GLE, G33, Q35, Q33,
	GM45, 4 Series, G45/G43, Q45/Q43, G41, B43
[  2754.440] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) HD Graphics
[  2754.440] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Iris(TM) Graphics
[  2754.440] (II) intel: Driver for Intel(R) Iris(TM) Pro Graphics
[  2754.440] (II) modesetting: Driver for Modesetting Kernel Drivers: kms
[  2754.440] (EE) 
Fatal server error:
[  2754.440] (EE) parse_vt_settings: Cannot open /dev/tty0 (Permission denied)
[  2754.440] (EE) 
[  2754.440] (EE) 
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support 
	 at http://wiki.x.org
 for help. 
[  2754.440] (EE) Please also check the log file at "/home/richard/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.
[  2754.440] (EE) 
[  2754.440] (WW) xf86CloseConsole: KDSETMODE failed: Bad file descriptor
[  2754.440] (WW) xf86CloseConsole: VT_GETMODE failed: Bad file descriptor
[  2754.465] (EE) Server terminated with error (1). Closing log file.

As you can see the fatal error was a permission denied error, which is why I thought to try sudo.

Last edited by RichKat (2020-08-15 16:41:52)

cupid_stunt · 2020-08-15 23:47:44

Try to create /etc/X11/Xwrapper.config with content as follows :

allowed_users=anybody
needs_root_rights=yes

Don't know if it's "the right way"(TM), but it seems to have worked for this guy: https://unix.stackexchange.com/question … ts-as-root .

Trilby · 2020-08-15 23:54:16

It shouldn't cause the error in the xorg.log, but you have no fonts installed which would not prevent X from starting, but would cause many WMs to fail which would fit your initial symptoms.

seth · 2020-08-16 06:05:22

This is an https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/NVIDIA_Optimus system, how do you intend to use it and how did you configure it?
Because of the rootless approach, see https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xinit#xserverrc and maintain the VT.

RichKat · 2020-08-16 11:45:03

you have no fonts installed

To fix this, should I just try to install some random font, or..? because as far as I can tell the folders that are missing are just the locations for the fonts, not any specific fonts themselves.

This is an https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/NVIDIA_Optimus system, how do you intend to use it and how did you configure it?

I have currently installed both the intel and nouveau drivers, but got confused trying to figure out PRIME, so I decided to come back to it later as startx by itself seemed to work fine. I have not explicitly disabled the NVIDIA graphics card, would that be a problem?

Try to create /etc/X11/Xwrapper.config with content as follows

Using sudo, and even logging in as root to try to start bspwm does not work properly, as mentioned. As root, startx bspwm throws an error and xinit bspwm ends up in the situation in the original post.

seth · 2020-08-16 11:58:40

I have currently installed both the intel and nouveau drivers, but got confused trying to figure out PRIME, so I decided to come back to it later as startx by itself seemed to work fine. I have not explicitly disabled the NVIDIA graphics card, would that be a problem?

It's one of the imminent problems, so address that now.

I'd disregard the Xorg root process, but

Using sudo, and even logging in as root to try to start bspwm

that's not the same as what cupid_stunt suggested.

Trilby · 2020-08-16 12:12:48

RichKat wrote:

you have no fonts installed
To fix this, should I just try to install some random font, or..?

Pretty much. It'd be better to install a font you like with good glyph coverage. But any process X client that requires a font will pretty much be fine with any font but would need at least one available.

However, for the problem at hand I was initially thinking along the same lines as Seth. I put that on the back burner given that you claimed startx had already worked. When it "worked" was that with twm and some xterms, or how did you test it? I can't imagine a misconfigured video driver allowing twm to run but not bspwm - but I have no first-hand experience with hybrid graphics systems, so this could just be a failure in my imagination.

RichKat · 2020-08-16 16:37:23

I fixed the font warning

that's not the same as what cupid_stunt suggested.

I believe what cupid-stunt suggested worked for someone whose problem was that startx only worked as root; this is not the problem I have, as even as root both startx and xinit fail.

It's one of the imminent problems, so address that now.

Okay, I'll try to get PRIME or something working. I don't think it's directly causing the issue though, because like I said startx seems to work on its own, so any other suggestions would also be very much appreciated.

Trilby · 2020-08-16 16:40:49

Startx "on it's own" cant actually do *anything* that would be called working:

Trilby wrote:

When it "worked" was that with twm and some xterms, or how did you test it?

Last edited by Trilby (2020-08-16 16:41:22)

RichKat · 2020-08-16 17:41:54

Startx "on it's own" cant actually do *anything* that would be called working

- I run the command startx, "on its own".
- I am greeted with several white console windows on a black background, and one small clock window. (The windows have a green border/header)

I assumed this was a default WM or something that comes with X. Is it not? If I type "bspwm" in one of the consoles I get "another window manager is already running", which I took to mean there was an in-build WM in X that started if you ran startx with no target WM.

Last edited by RichKat (2020-08-16 17:44:31)

seth · 2020-08-16 17:43:40

That doesn't fit the Xorg log you posted, but just return to that state, create a local xinitrc and make it run bspwm instead of twm, https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xinit#xinitrc

Trilby · 2020-08-16 18:25:30

RichKat wrote:

- I am greeted with several white console windows on a black background, and one small clock window. (The windows have a green border/header)

Thanks, that is twm, xterm, and xclock. That is not "built in" but it is recommended in the wiki to install those to test Xorg - I just wanted to ensure that this is actually what you were doing.

RichKat · 2020-08-22 11:18:12

create a local xinitrc and make it run bspwm instead of twm

In the end this solved it, but it took a while to figure out because I originally had no idea what you meant by xinitrc, even after looking at the docs. Also I had to replace nouvea with the proprietary NVIDIA driver, as my gpu is not supported by nouveau. Noob mistakes, all of them, thank you for your help

Arch Linux

#1 2020-08-15 15:02:14

[SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

How I got to this point:

#2 2020-08-15 15:16:53

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#3 2020-08-15 15:42:38

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#4 2020-08-15 23:47:44

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#5 2020-08-15 23:54:16

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#6 2020-08-16 06:05:22

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#7 2020-08-16 11:45:03

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#8 2020-08-16 11:58:40

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#9 2020-08-16 12:12:48

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#10 2020-08-16 16:37:23

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#11 2020-08-16 16:40:49

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#12 2020-08-16 17:41:54

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#13 2020-08-16 17:43:40

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#14 2020-08-16 18:25:30

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

#15 2020-08-22 11:18:12

Re: [SOLVED] "Couldn't execute the configuration file" error bspwm

Board footer