GNOME Startup Issue

[HP-UX Enthusiast]

Hi all
I am attempting to start the GNOME desktop on my C180 workstation. I have successfully installed the Ximian GNOME 1.4 depot. I have edited the /etc/rc.config.d/dekstop file to state GNOME. I have then executed /sbin/init 2 and /sbin/init 3.

The startup message appears to state that the GNOME desktop is being started, however all the screen displays is a grey background with a black mouse pointer. This screen remains for over 10 minutes - staying exactly the same.

Has anyone come across this before? Am I not starting something I should?

Any help much appreciated.

[Alex Glennie]

cd /etc/opt/gnome/gdm

vi gdm.conf

replace

[servers]
0=/usr/bin/X11/X

with

0=/usr/bin/X11/X -fp tcp/:7000 -query .

wq!

init 2

kill off any gdm processes

init 3

result ?

NB the problem you describe seems to be a feature of gnome, the work-around will disable xdmcp connections, failing that :

try on the local graphics console, kill offf gdm and restart from the command line ....

[HP-UX Enthusiast]

Thanks Alex, my workstation is at home - I will give this a try tonight and post back with results.

[Mike Stroyan · Accepted solution]

The problem is an unintentional race condition with two gdm processes sharing some pipes that are meant to be used by one process to signal itself. I will try to attach a shar with the changed gdm.c and a PA gdm executable. The change has been sent back to ximian, but I am not sure when/if it will show up in the downloads.

[HP-UX Enthusiast]

Hi Mike
Thanks very much - I had come to the same sort of conclusion - I have managed to get the GNOME deaktop running (am posting from within it now) but only after doing these peculiar steps:

i) Let the GNOME login server startup when system gets into init level 3.
ii) Shift+Cntl+Break to break out of the hung GNOME login process.
iii) Attempt to start gdm again (let it error when it says gdm is already running).
iv) Kill all gdm processes.

After this the GNOME login magically appears. It is very odd - and I noticed two gdm processes as you say and figured that this may be linked to the issue.

Thanks very much for the shar attachment - I will give it a go and post back.

[HP-UX Enthusiast]

Thanks Mike the new gdm executable has done the trick.

Nice one!

[Mike Stroyan]

That fixed gdm is now available in depot format from http://ximian.com/hpux-updates.html