Suse boots to text login, no 'Desktop'

[proof]

Alright so this is my first time even attempting to run Linux, and I've gotta say I'm either doing something wrong or it's a little complex. After installing SuSE and choosing to boot it, it loads as any other OS would, and then I am presented with a pretty green SuSE command prompt. I like the color green don't get me wrong, but where is the desktop? During the install it told me that a bunch of packages reported errors, which is probably why I'm having this problem in the first place, but after telling me about the errors it continued installing normally. Anyone have a solution? I am also using a SATA hdd, although SuSE sems to load it's own drivers for it. Maybe I should make a partition on my iPod and just use that through USB 2.0?

[gehidore]

you need to log in and run this

startx


And Welcome to Justlinux

[bosox79]

Hi proof:)

did startx get you into x-windows and your desktop enviorment of choice? welcome to JL

[proof]

No, I had no clue I had to input a command, let me see. Oh and thanks for the welcome..ness.

[proof]

No, start X brings up this screen, here's a picture because i didn't want to write it all down. As you can see, I tried both 'startx' and 'start x'

pic1 (http://files.essentrix.net/zero/suseprob.jpg)

I am totally lost....

[proof]

I tried both with a space and no space, if you look above where I typed it with a space, you can see the error it gave me when I typed it without a space...let me highlight it for you...
pic2 (http://files.essentrix.net/zero/suseprob2.jpg)
Sorry about this post, someone posted telling me that I needed to type it without a space, although I clearly did.

[je_fro]

Try it as regular user instead of root. It may be a $PATH issue.

[lagitus]

Originally posted by proof
During the install it told me that a bunch of packages reported errors, which is probably why I'm having this problem in the first place, but after telling me about the errors it continued installing normally.

That is most likely the case. Some important packages didn't get installed. You can try installing them afterwards using the command
yast
as root. In the menu go to Install or Remove Software (or something simialr) and just OK/Accept through it. If it installs something, then your problem may be solved. If not, it is easiest to simply reinstall.

How did you install it btw? Via FTP or using the CDs? What error messages were there? I've had a couple of errors when installing via FTP but clicking retry solved the problem. The installer probably doesn't have the patience to wait for some package to start downloading.

[bosox79]

proof your welcome in addition to what everone else has said, was sax or sax2 able to pickup your video card and monitor correctly? Have you tried running either of these tools again? I would attempt doing this after installing any missing packages

HTH

Bosox

[proof]

I tried running SaX2, didn't want to work. How do I log in as a regular user? I will also try using YaST right now and post results. I am installing off of an ISO I got from one of SuSE's official distros.

[je_fro]

It looks to me like X isn't installed. See if you can run /usr/X11R6/bin/X or /usr/X11R6/bin/xf86config...
I've not installed SuSE in a looooong time, so I can't remember if it prompts you to create a regular user or not...
In any case, you'll need one. Do:
useradd -m -s /bin/bash -G users,wheel,disk <user name>
where <user name> is like proof, or whatever you want. Then do:
passwd <user name>
set the password, then you can use that user from now on.
If you need root access after that, you can "man su" first, then su to root.
Good Luck

[proof]

Well, after my 5th failed install, this is getting kind of aggrivating. Here is a picture of the error I am persented with.

error screen shot (http://geocities.com/erikgrobelny/error.jpg)

the errorneous packages include :

yast2-trans-en_US
noia
words
providers
pin
SuSEfirewall2
yast2-theme-SuSELinux
susehelp
siga
yast2- nfs-client
yast2- scanner
yast2- support
yast2- runlevel
yast2- ldap-client
yast2- samba-client
yast2- security
yast2- repair
yast2- installation
yast2- restore
yast2- sysconfig
yast2- inetd
yast2- tv
yast2- mail
yast2- backup
yast2- firewall
yast2- ntp-client


Good thing that must be like every single package in the install. I know I'm not doing something wrong, should I just try downloading a new ISO and burning it a 1x so I don't mess up any data? If not, what's going on? Oh yeah and I'd like to tahnk you guys for all of your help so far, sorry if I'm being an *** but uhh...yeah I shouldn't have to install an OS more than 5 times to get it to work...oh well.

[gehidore]

Originally posted by proof
should I just try downloading a new ISO and burning it a 1x so I don't mess up any data?
Try that.

[proof]

Can do...burning now.

[je_fro]

Originally posted by proof
I know I'm not doing something wrong,


How do you know that?
99% of the time it's user error - guaranteed.

uhh...yeah I shouldn't have to install an OS more than 5 times to get it to work...oh well.

If at first you don't succeed....
Practice makes perfect.....

Also...looks like X was installed after all. All you need to do is get it configured...Does it detect your video card and monitor and mouse during the install?

[proof]

If you mean does it load drivers for them before I accept all of the install options and start installing, yes it does.

[gehidore]

Originally posted by je_fro
Practice makes perfect.....
As my old teacher used to say, 'Perfect Practice Makes Perfect'
-Mr. Judd
:D How can you become perfect at something without doing it right to begin with? :rolleyes:

[johntramp]

have you checked the md5 sum on the iso you have downloaded?

[je_fro]

If it detects them, X should be starting, if it's installed. I didn't see an X install error from what you've posted. See if you can run /usr/X11R6/bin/xf86config

[proof]

Thanks for all of your help everyone, I got it working and am running it right now. Now I just need to know one more thing...

How do I install programs such as GAIM? Not very much like Windows at all.

[lagitus]

Originally posted by proof
How do I install programs such as GAIM? Not very much like Windows at all.

No it's not but installing programs should 95% of the time be much more convenient: open YaST, go to Install and Remove Software and pick the program you want from the list. If some program does not create an entry in the menu, press Alt+F2 and type the program's name (usually in lowercase letters).

Btw. have you tried Kopete. AFAIK it is the default IM app in SuSE and it is better integrated into KDE.

[proof]

Thanks alot lagitus...is there any way that I can put an entry in the menu for a program or do I have to type its name after hitting ctrl+F2 all of the time?

[lagitus]

Right-clicking on the menu button should give a menu editor option. If not, do Alt+F2 kmenuedit. Of course you can create a shortcut on the desktop or the panel as well. Personally I use the menu very seldom and always Alt+F2. It seems much faster.