Permissions problem after KDE 4.0.1 update

[moktoman]

Well, I just excitedly installed the 4.0.1 update for KDE hoping it would fix a slew of reported bugs plaguing the initial release, and it seemed to be working until I rebooted.

After grub started up, the usplash loader did its thing, then disappeared to reveal a blank, black screen with a white cursor blinking near the top left.

After trying several shortcuts like Ctrl+Alt+F1 and such things to get a console, I was able to reboot with Ctrl+Alt+Del, then boot in Recovery Mode.

I logged in as myself through the recovery console, and tried typing:

startx

and I received the message:

xauth: creating new authority file /home/mikeyfindlay/.serverauth.4911
X: user not authorized to run the X server, aborting.
xinit: Server error.

I can log into my core ubuntu desktop if I switch to Root via the console, and use the same 'startx' command, albeit being issued a security warning before completing the login, however I do not use ubuntu on its own, as I prefer KDE.
Besides which, I am logged in as Root when I do that so none of my desktop files are available (this is irrelevant to my issue, but I thought I'd mention it).

Anyway, I am somewhat familiar with Linux and Kubuntu, but this issue is even stumping me. Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give me!

- Michael

[Fintan]

Re: Permissions problem after KDE 4.0.1 update

Is this Gusty or Hardy?

Can you boot into recovery mode just by typing startx (root mode)?
If so, then go into the /home folder and check on the permissions given to the /yourusername folder. Change them as needed. Reboot. You also might want to rename the ./kde4 folder to something like ./kde4_old (./kde4 is a hidden folder so you will have to activate hidden folder in the "view" section of konqueror). Reboot and a new ./kde4 folder will be created.

[moktoman]

Re: Permissions problem after KDE 4.0.1 update

It's Gusty (7.10).

Yes, I can boot into recovery mode by typing startx (root mode) but it runs the standard ubuntu desktop instead of the kubuntu desktop, and I tried navigating into to that ./kde4 folder using Nautilus, and renamed the folder as you suggested. I will reboot and see if it fixes the issue in the morning.
Thanks.

BTW, I also removed the kdm-kde4 package I had recently installed because I read that the kde4 version of kdm still has some issues. I can run KDM from the recovery console, but when I try to log in the screen blinks a few shades of black, then bumps me back to the login manager...

Finally, I am getting this error 3 to 4 times in a row during the recovery boot process, although it doesn't prevent the recovery boot from finishing:

modprobe: WARNING: /etc/modprobe.d/alsa-base line 42: ignoring bad line starting with 'snd-hda-intel'

I dunno if its related, but I thought I'd include it.

Anyway, I'll reboot in the morning and see if it works.
Thanks.
- Michael

[Fintan]

Re: Permissions problem after KDE 4.0.1 update

BTW, I also removed the kdm-kde4 package I had recently installed because

good. Now you will have to do:

dpkg-reconfigure kdm

from a terminal in (root mode) respectively at the prompt in recovery mode or:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure kdm

if your kdm does not start up when you reboot.

also have a look in /etc/x11/default-display-manager and make sure it looks like this:
/usr/bin/kdm.

[moktoman]

Re: Permissions problem after KDE 4.0.1 update

Still not working.

I'm changing the default-display-manager now;

in case you were wondering it reads:

/usr/lib/kde4/bin/kdm

But I'll make the change and see if that works.
Thanks.

[moktoman]

Re: Permissions problem after KDE 4.0.1 update

Okay, that fixed the KDM issue (that starts up ok now), but it still bounces me back to the KDM login screen, after the usual short burst of screen blinking, when I try to login to any of my available desktops (Default, Gnome, KDE, KDE 4, Failsafe).

By the way, I had already ran 'sudo dpkg-reconfigure kdm' before changing that 'default-display-manager' file as you suggested, and switched it to kdm, but I tried to run 'dpkg-reconfigure kdm' again for the sake of confirmation, and nothing happened, I just get another command prompt after pressing Enter.

?

[moktoman]

Re: Permissions problem after KDE 4.0.1 update

Alright, I seemed to have fixed the issue, although I am surprised by the method I obtained the results:

I basically reinstalled kdm-kde4, then switched to it with dpkg-reconfigure, and rebooted. Kdm-kde4 started up fine, then I tried to login, and bam, it worked!

I am hesistant to say that my issue was truly resolved, since I have basically been left with a regular kdm that doesn't work, but at least I can login in now.

In any case, Fintan, thanks for your help!

- Michael

[Fintan]

Re: Permissions problem after KDE 4.0.1 update

I basically reinstalled kdm-kde4, then switched to it with dpkg-reconfigure, and rebooted. Kdm-kde4 started up fine, then I tried to login, and bam, it worked!

Many paths lead to rome, although that one does surprise me a bit.

Gald to have been of some help

[moktoman]

Re: Permissions problem after KDE 4.0.1 update

...although that one does surprise me a bit.

Yeah, you and me both.
Thanks again,
Michael