can't startx

[derek1080]

I've got x windows working on my dell Inspiron 7000 laptop after a bit of effort. The first reboot after getting it working took me straight to the x windows login, but it won't accept my root or user passes.

The passes work fromt he command line.

Thanks in advance for any help offered.

Derek

[Hawkeey]

Wow, that's strange and quite perplexing.

Let me relay my understanding of the Linux password authentication scheme. Basically all passwords are stored and are usually encrypted somewhere. Linux hides this file somewhere (ie. Shadow and MD5 Passwords). I believe the root user should be able to get to them in /etc or /etc/shadow. The file should be called passwd or something. Use the manpages:

login
passwd
passwd(5) (which means type "man 5 passwd")

I'm guessing that whatever display manager you are using (kdm,gdm,xdm) is not authenticating your passwords correctly. I would try to configure those somehow and see if that works.

I hope that helps. At least you know someone cares and is trying.

[derek1080]

Thanks for your help.

In the end I messed around with the inittab file and changed the default run level, before editing the relevant rc file by removing the symbolic link to xdm.

Can't claim credit for knowing this in the first place - someone on another forum gave me those tips ;}

Derek