Startxfce4 Failure

glenjo · 2020-12-10 23:37:10

So I have been start XFCE fro the command line after logging in, and all was working fine up until a pacman -Syu yesterday (systemd did get updated). It looks like X windows starts but XFCE4 has problems.

If anybody can tell me quick where I can find some error messages (I don't see any in the Xorg log, that would be great!

TIA!

glenjo · 2020-12-10 23:39:12

And some more infor - if I run startxfce4 as root, I get a running session so it is likely I have some problem in my user config that is an issue. A quick clue as to how to see the error messages would be much appreciated. I don't see anything in systemd journal.

Maniaxx · 2020-12-11 00:16:32

Do you have 'exec startxfce4' in '.xinitrc'? exec is not allowed anymore there. I've learned that the hard way.
See in '/etc/X11/' for any malicious xorg startup scripts.

Put this in '~/.xinitrc' to log console output:

#set -x
exec &> /tmp/xinitrc.log

'set -x' might flood a lot. Maybe enable on 2nd run.

Last edited by Maniaxx (2020-12-11 00:50:57)

Slithery · 2020-12-11 00:31:37

Maniaxx wrote:

Any chance you have 'exec startxfce4' in '.xinitrc'? 'exec' is not allowed anymore there. I've learned it the hard way.

Absolute rubbish. Source please?

Maniaxx · 2020-12-11 00:44:00

Possible. I think i get that wrong here:

Remember that lines following a command using exec would be ignored.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xinit#xinitrc

It did not continue to boot here out of a sudden (until i removed 'exec') after an update. Will check that again. I've read something about 'root X sessions' not allowed anymore started with 'exec' but can't get it together anymore. Not sure where i read it.

Edit: 'exec startxfce4' works. Not sure what was wrong.

Last edited by Maniaxx (2020-12-11 01:07:38)

glenjo · 2020-12-11 00:59:09

Thank guys! I've got some work to do and report back!

glenjo · 2020-12-11 04:57:48

So, I am able to create a new user and everything works GREAT.

And a time to fess up a bit. I've been using Linux since 1996, and my home directory is quite old and full of massive amounts of crusty stuff. So no doubt SOMETHING in there is causing the problem, I haven't quite found it yet, because I'm still trying to find a good way to find the errors. But a newly created user account works great.

So bummer, carry around massive cruft in hidden configuration files for almost thirty years and it catches up to you. What kind of CRAPPY operating system is this?

BIG F&*KING GRIN!

glenjo · 2020-12-11 08:36:02

Fixed it.

Went to .cache and renamed the sessions directory to sessions-old. There was something messed up on the saved sessions. Everything back to normal including files going back to 1996 or so. Linux is so awesome, no other operating system is this crazy. Well, OK maybe some of the BSDs. And some of the micro VAXs back in the day, and Sun was great, and HP had some stuff, and...

glenjo · 2020-12-11 08:37:25

And archlinux is monster!

Thanks!

seth · 2020-12-11 12:11:27

Please always remember to mark resolved threads by editing your initial posts subject - so others will know that there's no task left, but maybe a solution to find.
Thanks.

Arch Linux

#1 2020-12-10 23:37:10

Startxfce4 Failure

#2 2020-12-10 23:39:12

Re: Startxfce4 Failure

#3 2020-12-11 00:16:32

Re: Startxfce4 Failure

#4 2020-12-11 00:31:37

Re: Startxfce4 Failure

#5 2020-12-11 00:44:00

Re: Startxfce4 Failure

#6 2020-12-11 00:59:09

Re: Startxfce4 Failure

#7 2020-12-11 04:57:48

Re: Startxfce4 Failure

#8 2020-12-11 08:36:02

Re: Startxfce4 Failure

#9 2020-12-11 08:37:25

Re: Startxfce4 Failure

#10 2020-12-11 12:11:27

Re: Startxfce4 Failure

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