Problem with Debian woody + latest X 4.1.0

[DrDebian]

I just apt-get dist-upgraded my installation of Debian woody last night. It got me the latest X packages (4.1.0-7 if I'm not mistaken) and ever since, X simply won't work anymore. It gets to the point where it initializes the screen, sets the root background and then it shuts down, leaving me at the shell. The log does not exhibit anything extraordinary, apart from the fact that the last line before I get thrown out reads "waiting for X server to terminate".

The point is, I don't really get what is going wrong. Why should X want to terminate when I initiate a new session?

Do any of the other Debian gurus around here have an idea? I'd also be grateful for instruction how I could downgrade to 4.1.0-6!

Thanks a lot in advance,
your DrDebian.

[slacker_x]

connect to
irc.openprojects.net
/join #debian
/msg apt xf4-7

problem solved

[Strike]

To downgrade to 4.1.0-6, you could either use aptitude to do it and then put it on hold or manually download the .deb, dpkg -i it, and then use dpkg to put it on hold (echo "xserver-xfree86 hold" | dpkg --set-selections, I think).

What boggles my mind is how this made it past sid into woody...

[DrDebian]

Originally posted by Strike:
<STRONG>To downgrade to 4.1.0-6, you could either use aptitude to do it and then put it on hold or manually download the .deb, dpkg -i it, and then use dpkg to put it on hold

What boggles my mind is how this made it past sid into woody...</STRONG>

I'm rather amazed that it made it into woody as well! Anyway, can you give me a short pointer how to use aptitude to downgrade, I didn't have too much luck the first time I tried. Maybe some expert advice from you can help.

[rattus]

You could also check out this thread on this board (http://www.linuxnewbie.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=023886) where slacker -x said:

THis is how to fix the X problem in Sid and Woody:
edit /etc/X11/Xsession.d/99xfree86-common_start. Change 'exec "$REALSTARTUP"' to 'exec $REALSTARTUP'

[Strike]

Originally posted by DrDebian:
<STRONG>I'm rather amazed that it made it into woody as well! Anyway, can you give me a short pointer how to use aptitude to downgrade, I didn't have too much luck the first time I tried. Maybe some expert advice from you can help.</STRONG>

Sure, find "xserver-xfree86" (use /xserver-xfree86 to skip right to it). Hit enter to go to that package's info screen. Then go to the bottom and find 4.1.0-6 (if it is there), under "Versions". Hit + on that one and it should light up green and 4.1.0-7 should be marked purple (to signify it is being removed). Then, once that is done (assuming that 4.1.0-6 is still on some mirror somewhere, though it might not be now since it is kinda late), perform the "update" by hitting g twice. Once the update is done, go back to that package screen (if you aren't already/still there), and hit = on the package name to put it on hold (it should be lit up to a light blue/cyan to indicate it can be upgraded). It should change to a gray/white background to indicate it is on hold.

[DrDebian]

Originally posted by Strike:
<STRONG>Sure, find "xserver-xfree86" (use /xserver-xfree86 to skip right to it). Hit enter to go to that package's info screen. Then go to the bottom and find 4.1.0-6 (if it is there), under "Versions". Hit + on that one and it should light up green and 4.1.0-7 should be marked purple (to signify it is being removed). Then, once that is done (assuming that 4.1.0-6 is still on some mirror somewhere, though it might not be now since it is kinda late), perform the "update" by hitting g twice. Once the update is done, go back to that package screen (if you aren't already/still there), and hit = on the package name to put it on hold (it should be lit up to a light blue/cyan to indicate it can be upgraded). It should change to a gray/white background to indicate it is on hold.</STRONG>

Thanks for the detailed walk-through! I'll save it for further use, but for now, I think I'll simply remove "use-ssh-client" from /etc/X11/Xsession instead.

[Joeri Sebrechts]

Originally posted by DrDebian:
<STRONG>Thanks for the detailed walk-through! I'll save it for further use, but for now, I think I'll simply remove "use-ssh-client" from /etc/X11/Xsession instead.</STRONG>

Follow rattus's tip instead, it's the correct fix for this, and easy to do.