FC2 no gnome after login

Chris Geisel · #1 10th August 2004, 06:36 PM

Longtime linux user, inexperienced admin.

Installed FC2 on Friday.
Ran into 3com NIC bug, fixed by loading linux with kernel param "nogui" and "chkconfig --del kudzu" (found fix via google; don't understand "nogui" option--in retrospect, wish I'd done more research before just trying this). Network card recognized and all was well. Edited boot options to make this permanent.

Used FC2 for 2 days with no problems. Ran up2date to get pdf viewer, some dev utils. Still worked okay on next reboot and login as USER. On shutdown, saved user settings, got dialog warning that Mozilla doesn't support saving user settings.

Last night booted FC2 to show it off to some friends. Partway through loading splashscreen, switched to "show details" without user input(!). Seemed to happen during/after starting cups or before sshd.

Got gui login screen. Logged in as USER. Gnome seemed to start and hang. Got blue background (not background image) mouse cursor, no panel, no icons, nothing. Opened virtual terminal, logged in as root, X running.

Killed X process, rebooted. Same behavior as before, logged in as USER, got same problem. Reproducible.

Anyone recognize this behavior? I'm having trouble diagnosing and finding appropriate forum to post/search.

imdeemvp · #2 10th August 2004, 06:40 PM

gnome desktop dissapeard completely?

i believe someone has same issue with gnome desktop dissapearing a few weeks ago i just dont remember what is it under..

Chris Geisel · #3 10th August 2004, 06:44 PM

To clarify, it's not that it disappeared: it's that it never loaded after I logged in.

It seems as though I'm part way through Gnome loading and it's just stopped, but since the machine is not hung (I can get to virtual terminal, move the mouse, etc), I honestly don't know what is going on.

I'm also pretty perplexed by the fact that during the startup screen, it switches to the "show details" view without user input.

imdeemvp · #4 10th August 2004, 06:46 PM

how about kde is this working?

JamesH · #5 10th August 2004, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Got gui login screen. Logged in as USER. Gnome seemed to start and hang. Got blue background (not background image) mouse cursor, no panel, no icons, nothing. Opened virtual terminal, logged in as root, X running.

I was just about to ask this question also. Does your KDE work (if its installed)? If not, you are in the same situation as me. (luckily I have xFce and I love it).

Thanks
- James

Buchan · #6 10th August 2004, 06:59 PM

This sounds like a hanging application. You said that you saved your settings the last time you logged out from a successfull session right?
You need to find out what application is starting and hanging. Try and find info on where gnome saves its session info and change that file. I'm not sure where that is but this should give you an idea where to look I think. I'll do a bit of research and come back ...

Chris Geisel · #7 10th August 2004, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imdeemvp

how about kde is this working?

I don't know. At the gui login prompt, I've selected the "session" menu item and tried all three options: Gnome, 'default' and failsafe. I don't remember the details of what happened with the #2 and #3 well enough to transcribe them, but when I get home this evening I will attempt them and re-post the results.

Unfortunately I tried many times to log in, and don't remember all the details. I also had difficulty when I logged in as root, but I don't remember the details well enough to transcribe them usefully.

How does one start KDE from that gui login? I will attempt it.

imdeemvp · #8 10th August 2004, 07:02 PM

have you consider reinstalling or using the rescue disc?

JamesH · #9 10th August 2004, 07:06 PM

Would the rescue disc put everything right? Like... making it all work without losing any of my settings?

--

Sorry Chris, if it looks like I am stealing your thread, but I thought that because we have both the same problem it is a waste making a new thread

Chris Geisel · #10 10th August 2004, 07:08 PM

I am considering a reinstall. I think the problem is related to my having run up2date (though I'm not sure what I should run to get updates, and up2date prominently displays an icon in the panel after first login prompting to update packages... seems misleading if up2date is not reliable).

I've booted successfully using the F5 rescue option on my boot CD, but after I've booted, I'm unsure what, exactly to do to from the rescue console, because I'm not sure what is wrong. Any suggestions?

edit: James, feel free to hijack the thread--if I get a solution or even just some suggestions on where to look, I'll be more than satisfied.

Buchan · #11 10th August 2004, 07:28 PM

Sorry can't find anything right now ... try to figure out how to reset your Gnome session.

This will probably fix your problem without having to completely reinstall.

Chris Geisel · #12 10th August 2004, 09:43 PM

While reading some other posts related to gnome-session and problems logging in, I found a post that included an error message that I just remembered appeared right after I had the problem the first time, rebooted and logged in again.

http://www.fedoraforum.org/forum/sho...68&postcount=1

Ring any bells?

imdeemvp · #13 10th August 2004, 09:45 PM

is it the same error for you too? you can send a private message the person and he may be able to help too...

Chris Geisel · #14 10th August 2004, 09:48 PM

It is (except the uname is different, of course) however, in that thread, his resolution is that his machine just started working again. Makes one hopeful, but I'd still like to know what is going on here.

Chris Geisel · #15 11th August 2004, 05:52 AM

After looking through my boot logs, I've come to the conclusion that running up2date caused some kind of fatal problem. I'm not able to diagnose it further, and in fact have just now completed a reinstall.

I definitely won't be updating with up2date. Thanks for trying to help.