Lost KDE desktop

hello,

I installed OpenSUSE 11 some weeks ago and was trying out a lot of things.
Something I really wanted to have a look at were the desktop effects, so I tried to follow the instructions at NVIDIA - openSUSE - I used the “one-clik-installation”.
Then I had to log out and at that time, I lost my graphical interface (KDE) and was left with only a command window.
I re-installed OpenSUSE several times, even installed windows with a full format and re-installed OpenSUSE, but still I end up with a black screen, with a lot white text, asking for my login. Login is possible, but don’t get KDE back…

Now, what should I do… :)?

My system is a compaq evo 510 sff with an older nvidia card of the TNT series.

cheers,
Pieter

Are you see the login screen, or it asks for the password in command line? In this case boot up with safe-settings enabled (set at the boot screen) and see what happens.

It asks for a login in a command line…
Also tried to boot with safe-settings enabled, but same result…

did you just try to format the root or else the whole HDD space you have ?

if you had not formatted the whole… just try by formating the

/
/swap
/home

it is possible if you change while installing from dvd

see the
Installing and problems (Multi-page thread 1 2)
semmaxim
at the second page search my post
i explain my solvation
;))))))))):stuck_out_tongue:

no matter how any repos or any installation is used…

he needs a desktop kde/gnome which he is not able to see any thing there

What I did from the moment that I lost my desktop;

  • re-installed opensuse
  • re-installed windows, did a quick format of the full hard drive during installation, and re-installed openSUSE
  • re-installed windows, did a normal format format of the full drive during windows installation, and the re-installed openSUSE
  • had some partition-problems inbetween - defragmented my disk under windows which solved that problem

but still… no clue of how to get my kde-environment back…

thanks for the replies anyway…

cheers

as you stated above you have formatted your full hard drive…

do you really face any problem with the kde after installing your openSUSE

bcoz it would not store any data after formatting the whole hard drive…

be clear and state the problem or error you would be having…

My main problem is that I have NO desktop - only have a command window - even after formatting and re-installing several times.

I know that after formatting, no data or setting should remain, that is why I do not understand what 's happening.

Summary of the problem:

  1. Opensuse 11 was working perfect
  2. Followed instructions as given on en.opensuse.org/NVIDIA
  3. Probably did something wrong, because I could not get my desktop back - only had command window (black screen with white text asking for my login)
  4. formatted hard drive several times, reinstalled both windows and OpenSUSE, tried installing openSUSE alone,… tried almost everything
  5. Result; NO desktop, only command window…

so… if anyone has a clue… would really help me…

Hello Pieter.

I have exactly the same problem as you.
Once I’ve tried to install the Nvidia driver for GeForce 6 cards, and supperiors, from a .ymp file, wich is the appropriate way to do for Opensuse 11.0 (as demanded by Opensuse itsefl), I also lost my graphical interface (KDE).

This is somehow related to Runlevels of linux.
In these sites you read abou it:
Runlevels
Linux Runlevels
Runlevel Definition

Basically there is a file (you have to be root to view it) in /etc directory.
So you do (enter as root)

vim /etc/inittab

In general for the full user mode of your system (network, KDE etc…) you have to be on Runlevel 5

Here is my problem everyone: Even changing my Runlevel to 5 and then rebooting, The Opensuse don’t display the KDE anymore !!
This is somehow related to the X-server which is the (I don’t know… a program) that allows the graphical interface of the Opensuse.

Some foruns says that we have to updtate this X-server but I don’t think that’s it.

This is a HUGE problem between a horrible code designed for Nvidia drivers cards to run in Opensuse systems .

Shame on you Nvidia !
I am reading various troubleshootings along internet and many users have the same problem.

So, please expert users this is not a commom, banal or trivial problem.

If anyone knows a friendly and a didatical way to explain how to solve this problem would enormously help the community of Nvidia and Opensuse users among the world.

Thank you all in advance,
Cristiano.

I’ll try to explain but I’m slightly hazy on some bits so don’t quite take this as gospel but a place to launch from to do your own research. At 5 I get really hazy as I don’t quite understand login managers and how they determine what DE

On a boot up sequence,
1)Set up the kernel and all daemons
2)Reach said runlevel
3)Process runlevel directives, which in runlevel 5 starts kdm/x from inittab. Runlevel 3 doesn’t startx and a few other bits.
4)User logs in through kdm

5)(Now I get really hazy)It reads in user configs and starts the preferred DE. Now in my instance as I don’t have a login manager it processes ~/.xintrc

Now you seem to be stalling at kdm, I would first confirm what runlevel your at. It is unlikely to be nvidia from a default install, though you could use vesa just to confirm or deny that.
Think
runlevel
returns the last and present runlevel. Should you find your self at runlevel 5 try startx see if you catch any errors. Presuming you didn’t try startkde. Try switching between init’s see whether that is giving you any info. Make sure KDM is set for a runlevel.

Any way my tuppence and hopefully a little info to get you started in trouble shooting. I’m inclined to think it is faulty install media though myself.