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failed to start the x server when trying to install ubuntu

  • 24-11-2006 12:41am
    #1
    thebourke
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,362 ✭✭✭


    i downloaded the latest version of ubuntu from their website..burnt it onto cd and tried to install it on my windows xp machine..the cd boots up appears to start working..and then i get a message saying fail to start the x server..fatal server error..no screens found...

    i presume ist got to to with the video cards..
    this is a brand new pc..dell dimension ...pentium 4....

    any ideas on how to fix?


Comments

  • #2
    Creamy Goodness
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,584 ✭✭✭✭Creamy Goodness


    did you get into the screen where it asks you a set of options like start install/liveCD, start install/liveCD in safe graphics mode (along those lines)?

    try the safe graphics mode as sometimes resolution can be a pain when install linux variants.


  • #3
    thebourke
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,362 ✭✭✭thebourke


    yeah i tried the safe mode and got the same error..any other ideas?


  • #4
    Steveire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,421 ✭✭✭Steveire


    Do you get a prompt something like 
    root@ubuntu:#
    ? or just nothing at all? If you get a prompt, what is the output of 
    startx
    and 
    dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
    I'm not sure I can help you, but this might be useful.


  • #5
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 93,596 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    any idea which model of Dell or which Video card you have ?


  • #6
    thebourke
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,362 ✭✭✭thebourke


    its a dell 5150..graphics card is Radeon x600


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  • #7
    fishnplay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4 ✭fishnplay


    Try to run Knoppix live distro. Then see if youy can find the settings that Knoppix is using for your xserver session.
    This helped me configuring my ubuntu on dell laptop.


  • #8
    ethernet
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,568 ✭✭✭ethernet


    This command allowed me to reconfigure X and solved my problems. Worth a go:
    [COLOR=#000000][COLOR=#0000bb]sudo dpkg[/COLOR][COLOR=#007700]-[/COLOR][COLOR=#0000bb]reconfigure xserver[/COLOR][COLOR=#007700]-[/COLOR][COLOR=#0000bb]xorg[/COLOR][/COLOR]

    You'll be interrogated by X with endless questions about your setup but it shouldn't been too painful.


  • #9
    The Gnome
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,403 ✭✭✭The Gnome


    Similar thing just happened to me, I was following the guide to get compiz going and after a restart I got a similar x server message.

    Any ideas on how to fix this? I'm a noob when it comes to linux / ubuntu so be gentle. ;)


  • #10
    MarkR
    Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 11,183 Mod ✭✭✭✭MarkR


    I'm also a newb, but I did get past that after having the same problem. I had to reload the backup xconf file I think. I can't find the page I used to solve it i'm afraid, but if you google it you should get it.

    Also, you may want to check out the 915resolution hack in the repositories. Got me running 1280 * 800 with just a few minutes work. I got a lot of info from Ubuntu Forums


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