No desktop

[Samuel Mathew]

I loaded Linux 2.4.20 from cpubuilders.com. It was working earlier with 2.4.18. Now when I log on as a user, no desktop. Just blank blue screen. I put a command in the dot profile to execute ( as shell script) and the main menu comes but nothing else.
I am stuck.
My questions:
1. Why is the normal desktop not loading? What is the way to get it loaded?
2. I have to execute a .profile to load a shell script. The first menu of that script comes up but the inputs doesn't work and it doesn't go forward. If I quit from that main menu, blank screen. then I have no other option but to reset.

What went wrong? Looks to be something simple that I missed.
Thanks in advanc

[Balaji N]

hi
during the installation did u configure X correctly. did you load your desktop? what is the desktop.

are u doing an upgrade or a fresh install. try creating a new user and see if the desktop works for him. if yes, problem could be with the configuration files of your desktop

why do you want to run a shell script if in X. does it have some fancy gui's etc.

if not, just put the script as the login shell in /etc/passwd.

and finally dont forget to see your X logs if there is any problem there.

hth
-balaji

[Samuel Mathew]

Balaji, Thanks for the quick reply. I am going to reply to your points. I need to get this working fairly quickly.

Balaji: during the installation did u configure X correctly. did you load your desktop? what is the desktop.
Answer: This is an upgrade from the earlier 2.4.18. I didn't configure any X. I didn't load anything specific other than load all the packages.

Balaji: are u doing an upgrade or a fresh install. try creating a new user and see if the desktop works for him. if yes, problem could be with the configuration files of your desktop
Answer: We tried a new user, but that also didn't give any desktop icon. Where are the configuration files for the desktop located? DO I have to configure it to have icons. I thought there are some defaults.

Balaji: why do you want to run a shell script if in X. does it have some fancy gui's etc.
Answer: Yes there is a mouse functionality that we have to use? This is for making some CNC related program generation

Balaji: if not, just put the script as the login shell in /etc/passwd.
Answer: I didn't know that I can put a shell scrip in /etc/passwd and make it work. I can try to do that. But I still need icons on the desktop as I need to open different windows for some other smaller scripts that have to be run. I can disable all other icons on the desktop. IN fact if I can open a few windows with $ prompt and then run this main program that will do the trick for me.
How can I selectively get a desktop? Is there a simple document that explains this?


Balaji: and finally dont forget to see your X logs if there is any problem there.
Answer: Is it the .xsession.errors file. I looked there but couldn't make out much of that.

I hope to get some real help from you. Your response has been quick and thank you very much. Hope to hear from you.
Regard

[Steven E. Protter]

I'd re-run Xconfigurator and make sure /etc/profile and or .bash_profile has reasonable umask and permissions.

Does the user own its own home directory? Can it write to it?

SEP

[Cristian Draghici_1]

If you login as root, does the desktop load?

Look in .xsession-errors in the user's directory for any possible error.

If you boot the system with the old kernel (2.4.18), assuming you haven't erased it (you know you shouldn't have, right? :-)) does the X server start correctly?

Good luck,
c

[Balaji N]

you talk of icons and stuff. so u sure need X. else u can use the mouse in the console mode using gpm.

try recreating the X configuration file.
X -configure.

This will create a config file for X in /root directory.

Then try running X -xf86config

if X starts, then kill it using ctrl+alt+bkspace and then move this file to /etc/X11 directory.

then try starting X. it should start and then startup with your WM. if it doesnt work, then there could be problem with your window manager.

try recreating a file called .xinitrc in your home directory and then adding the line

exec startkde

or exec gnome-session

based on your WM and see if this helps.

hth
-balaji