Can't get past a login

[hughc]

Hi,
I couldn't get Synaptic to update so I read the News forum.
Updated the Repositories and ran Synaptic.  It seemed to go successful.
Rebooted, the Synaptic output recommended a reboot.
Now, I get an X style login dialog.  I can log in and I get to
enter administrator password to run drak3.
The administrator password brings me to another dialog asking regular or 3d desktop dialog.
Then, a small box opens in the right top of the screen saying to reboot.
And then the process repeats.  loging, administor password, regular or 3d desktop, reboot, and on and on.
How do I recover? 
Thank you.
 

[kjpetrie]

Have you clicked the menu at the bottom of the screen and tried selecting your desktop there?

[hughc]

There is no menu at the bottom of the screen.  The logon screen appears to be the X logon screen.
 Thanks,
Hugh

[kjpetrie]

I don't know what you mean by the X logon screen. I've seen KDM (the KDE default), GDM (often used as the default with GNOME and LXDE) and XDM (which isn't very functional and brings up two terminal windows).

Is it one of these or something different?

[hughc]

X is the displaymanager used by unix.  KDE, GNOME, and XFE are constructed using this displaymanager.  I think.

[menotu]

Can you recall when you last updated hughc?  Which repo you're using?

[TerryN]

Updated the Repositories and ran Synaptic.  It seemed to go successful.

It would also help us to know exactly what got updated.
At the logon screen you should be able to do a CTL-ALT-F1 to get to a console.
Login as root and then find the synaptic logs.

Code: [Select]

[root@localhost ~]# cd .synaptic/log
[root@localhost ~]# ls
2013-01-09.162944.log  2013-01-09.163020.log  2013-01-09.163103.log  2013-01-09.163337.log  2013-01-12.144245.log
[root@localhost log]# cat 2013-01-09.162944.log
Commit Log for Wed Jan  9 16:29:44 2013


Upgraded the following packages:
drakx-net (0.87-12pclos2012) to 0.87-13pclos2012
drakx-net-text (0.87-12pclos2012) to 0.87-13pclos2012
libdrakx-net (0.87-12pclos2012) to 0.87-13pclos2012
pclinuxos-gfxboot-theme (4.1.19.18-6pclos2012) to 4.1.19.18-7pclos2013
pclinuxos-release (2012-1pclos2012) to 2013-1pclos2013
wpa_supplicant (1.0-2pclos2012) to 1.0-3pclos2012
[root@localhost log]#

If it was a very large number of packages updated then the chances are you have gone too long between updates.

Terry.

[Bald Brick]

X is the displaymanager used by unix.  KDE, GNOME, and XFE are constructed using this displaymanager.  I think.

Not really. X is probably what manages your display (among other things) but "display manager" is usually used as a synonym of "login manager". That's why the names of the login managers kjpetrie listed all end in "DM".

The most primitive of the display managers is the X Display Manager or XDM. On PCLinuxOS it just looks like a white (or light grey) window without borders or decorations but with the text "Welcome to localhost" (or whatever name you've given your computer). Below that there's the word "Login:" and a box where you can enter your login name. When you've done so (and hit enter) you'll see the text "Password:" and a new box where you can enter your password. When you've entered it you'll be taken to your default desktop environment.

KDM and GDM (and a host of other desktop managers) don't just look prettier, they will let you pick other desktop environments if you wish. XDM won't, so you may have to kill it and start X from the command line.

But first tell us if your "X style login dialog" really looks like XDM.

[hughc]

Thanks for all the replys.
When I couldn't get to single user mode I reloaded pclinuxos 12/12/12 and reran the synaptic update.
Reconfigured my displays, added my printer, and setup the wlan.
Hopefully everything is ok.   Did not format, looks like all my data is intact.

Thanks again.

[hughc]

Tried the update another computer.  Step 3 (From the forum news pages) brought me to an X login again!
Recovery was again, reload without formating from a 12/12/12 PC Linux OS disk.
Then running step 3 again. 
Am I missing something?  Are others having this problem?  I have two more systems to upgrade.

[Bald Brick]

Tried the update another computer.  Step 3 (From the forum news pages) brought me to an X login again!

I find it very difficult to understand what you are writing.  "Step 3" according to which post exactly? Pinoc's instructions for updating the sources.list? Something else?

And once more, do you by the "X login" mean XDM? Or a terminal from which you could start X?

Recovery was again, reload without formating from a 12/12/12 PC Linux OS disk.

Then, what does "reload without formating" mean? That you installed without formatting your home partition? Or that you installed without formatting your root partition either. The former would be quite normal; the latter could be messy and dangerous.

Then running step 3 again. 
Am I missing something?  Are others having this problem?  I have two more systems to upgrade.

[daniel]

Updated the Repositories and ran Synaptic.  It seemed to go successful.

It would also help us to know exactly what got updated.
At the logon screen you should be able to do a CTL-ALT-F1 to get to a console.
Login as root and then find the synaptic logs.

Code: [Select]

[root@localhost ~]# cd .synaptic/log
[root@localhost ~]# ls
2013-01-09.162944.log  2013-01-09.163020.log  2013-01-09.163103.log  2013-01-09.163337.log  2013-01-12.144245.log
[root@localhost log]# cat 2013-01-09.162944.log
Commit Log for Wed Jan  9 16:29:44 2013


Upgraded the following packages:
drakx-net (0.87-12pclos2012) to 0.87-13pclos2012
drakx-net-text (0.87-12pclos2012) to 0.87-13pclos2012
libdrakx-net (0.87-12pclos2012) to 0.87-13pclos2012
pclinuxos-gfxboot-theme (4.1.19.18-6pclos2012) to 4.1.19.18-7pclos2013
pclinuxos-release (2012-1pclos2012) to 2013-1pclos2013
wpa_supplicant (1.0-2pclos2012) to 1.0-3pclos2012
[root@localhost log]#

If it was a very large number of packages updated then the chances are you have gone too long between updates.

Terry.

Did you try Terry solution, please?
And what a DE you are using?

[hughc]

First, I apologize for being vague.
This is the post that contains the reference to  Option 3, http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,87378.0.html.
I run synaptic once a month.
When the synaptic update ran it appeared successful.  Even got a message saying restart if updating KDE in the Synaptic dialog.
On that reboot an X Display Manager login prompt appeared.  First user name, then it prompts for password.
From the .synaptic/log
Commit Log for Sat Jan 19 09:10:44 2013

Removed the following packages:
kde4-smooth-tasks
kdeartwork4
kdeartwork4-color-schemes
kdeartwork4-emoticons
kdeartwork4-icons-theme-nuvola
kdeartwork4-sounds
kdeartwork4-wallpapers
kdebase4-core
kdebase4-dolphin
kdebase4-konsole
kdebase4-plasma
kdebase4-runtime
kdebase4-workspace-core
kdelibs4
kdemultimedia4-core
kdemultimedia4-kmix
kdenetwork4-kppp-provider
kdepimlibs4
kdeplasma-addons
kdesdk4-core
kdesdk4-kate
kdm
ktorrent
task-kde4-minimal

Upgraded the following packages:
akonadi (1.5.3-1pclos2011) to 1.8.0-1pclos2012
bluez (4.93-2pclos2011) to 4.101-3pclos2013
firefox (17.0.1-1pclos2012) to 18.0-1pclos2013
flash-player-plugin (11.2.202.251-1pclos2012) to 11.2.202.261-1pclos2013
gawk (3.1.8-1pclos2010) to 4.0.2-1pclos2013
google-earth (7.0.1.8244-1pclos2012) to 7.0.2.8415-1pclos2013
groff (1.20.1-1pclos2011) to 1.22.1-1pclos2013
groff-for-man (1.20.1-1pclos2011) to 1.22.1-1pclos2013
java-1.6.0-sun (1.6.0.35-1pclos2012) to 1.6.0.38-1pclos2013
java-1.6.0-sun-alsa (1.6.0.35-1pclos2012) to 1.6.0.38-1pclos2013
java-1.6.0-sun-fonts (1.6.0.35-1pclos2012) to 1.6.0.38-1pclos2013
java-1.6.0-sun-jdbc (1.6.0.35-1pclos2012) to 1.6.0.38-1pclos2013
java-1.6.0-sun-plugin (1.6.0.35-1pclos2012) to 1.6.0.38-1pclos2013
libbluez3 (4.93-2pclos2011) to 4.101-3pclos2013
libktorrent (1.1.3-1pclos2011) to 1.3.0-1pclos2012
libltdl7 (2.2.10-1pclos2010) to 2.4.2-1pclos2013
libpulseaudio0 (2.0-1pclos2012) to 3.0-1pclos2013
libpulseglib20 (2.0-1pclos2012) to 3.0-1pclos2013
libqt3support4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtclucene4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtcore4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtdbus4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtdeclarative4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtdesigner4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtgui4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqthelp4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtmultimedia4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtnetwork4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtopengl4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtscript4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtscripttools4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtsql4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtsvg4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqttest4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtwebkit4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtxml4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtxmlpatterns4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libsoprano4 (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
libsopranoclient1 (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
libsopranoindex1 (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
libsopranoserver1 (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
libxvid4 (1.3.2-1pclos2012) to 1.3.2-2pclos2012
mozilla-thunderbird (17.0-1pclos2012) to 17.0.2-1pclos2013
oxygen-icon-theme (4.6.5-1pclos2011) to 4.9.2-1_archie_2012
python-qt4 (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-core (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-declarative (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-designer (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-gui (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-help (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-multimedia (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-network (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-opengl (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-phonon (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-script (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-scripttools (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-sql (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-svg (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-test (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-webkit (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-xml (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-xmlpatterns (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-sip (4.13.3-1pclos2012) to 4.14.2-1pclos2013
qt4-common (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
qt4-database-plugin-mysql (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
qt4-database-plugin-sqlite (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
qt4-qtconfig (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
qt4-qtdbus (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
qt4-xmlpatterns (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
shared-desktop-ontologies (0.5-1pclos2010) to 0.10.0-1pclos2012
soprano (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
soprano-plugin-common (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
soprano-plugin-sesame2 (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
soprano-plugin-virtuoso (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
squid (3.2.3-1pclos2012) to 3.2.5-1pclos2013
strigi (0.7.2-2pclos2011) to 0.7.6-2pclos2012

Installed the following packages:
kactivities (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kate-part (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork-color-schemes (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork-emoticons (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork-icons-theme-nuvola (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork-sounds (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork-wallpapers (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-multimedia-kmix (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kdelibs (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kdenetwork-kppp-provider (4.9.2-2_archie_2012)
libboost1.50.0 (1.50.0-1pclos2012)
libexiv2_12 (0.23-1pclos2012)
libglapi0 (7.11.2-1pclos2011)
libkexiv2 (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
libmesaglesv2_2 (7.11.2-1pclos2011)
plasma-applet-devicemanager (1.1.1-2pclos2012)
polkit-kde-agent-1 (0.99.0-3pclos2012)
qrencode (3.2.0-1pclos2012)

[Old-Polack]

First, I apologize for being vague.
This is the post that contains the reference to  Option 3, http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,87378.0.html.
I run synaptic once a month.
When the synaptic update ran it appeared successful.  Even got a message saying restart if updating KDE in the Synaptic dialog.
On that reboot an X Display Manager login prompt appeared.  First user name, then it prompts for password.
From the .synaptic/log
Commit Log for Sat Jan 19 09:10:44 2013

Removed the following packages:
kde4-smooth-tasks
kdeartwork4
kdeartwork4-color-schemes
kdeartwork4-emoticons
kdeartwork4-icons-theme-nuvola
kdeartwork4-sounds
kdeartwork4-wallpapers
kdebase4-core
kdebase4-dolphin
kdebase4-konsole
kdebase4-plasma
kdebase4-runtime
kdebase4-workspace-core
kdelibs4
kdemultimedia4-core
kdemultimedia4-kmix
kdenetwork4-kppp-provider
kdepimlibs4
kdeplasma-addons
kdesdk4-core
kdesdk4-kate
kdm
ktorrent
task-kde4-minimal

Upgraded the following packages:
akonadi (1.5.3-1pclos2011) to 1.8.0-1pclos2012
bluez (4.93-2pclos2011) to 4.101-3pclos2013
firefox (17.0.1-1pclos2012) to 18.0-1pclos2013
flash-player-plugin (11.2.202.251-1pclos2012) to 11.2.202.261-1pclos2013
gawk (3.1.8-1pclos2010) to 4.0.2-1pclos2013
google-earth (7.0.1.8244-1pclos2012) to 7.0.2.8415-1pclos2013
groff (1.20.1-1pclos2011) to 1.22.1-1pclos2013
groff-for-man (1.20.1-1pclos2011) to 1.22.1-1pclos2013
java-1.6.0-sun (1.6.0.35-1pclos2012) to 1.6.0.38-1pclos2013
java-1.6.0-sun-alsa (1.6.0.35-1pclos2012) to 1.6.0.38-1pclos2013
java-1.6.0-sun-fonts (1.6.0.35-1pclos2012) to 1.6.0.38-1pclos2013
java-1.6.0-sun-jdbc (1.6.0.35-1pclos2012) to 1.6.0.38-1pclos2013
java-1.6.0-sun-plugin (1.6.0.35-1pclos2012) to 1.6.0.38-1pclos2013
libbluez3 (4.93-2pclos2011) to 4.101-3pclos2013
libktorrent (1.1.3-1pclos2011) to 1.3.0-1pclos2012
libltdl7 (2.2.10-1pclos2010) to 2.4.2-1pclos2013
libpulseaudio0 (2.0-1pclos2012) to 3.0-1pclos2013
libpulseglib20 (2.0-1pclos2012) to 3.0-1pclos2013
libqt3support4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtclucene4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtcore4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtdbus4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtdeclarative4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtdesigner4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtgui4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqthelp4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtmultimedia4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtnetwork4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtopengl4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtscript4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtscripttools4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtsql4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtsvg4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqttest4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtwebkit4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtxml4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libqtxmlpatterns4 (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
libsoprano4 (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
libsopranoclient1 (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
libsopranoindex1 (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
libsopranoserver1 (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
libxvid4 (1.3.2-1pclos2012) to 1.3.2-2pclos2012
mozilla-thunderbird (17.0-1pclos2012) to 17.0.2-1pclos2013
oxygen-icon-theme (4.6.5-1pclos2011) to 4.9.2-1_archie_2012
python-qt4 (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-core (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-declarative (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-designer (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-gui (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-help (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-multimedia (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-network (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-opengl (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-phonon (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-script (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-scripttools (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-sql (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-svg (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-test (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-webkit (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-xml (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-qt4-xmlpatterns (4.9.4-1pclos2012) to 4.9.6-2pclos2013
python-sip (4.13.3-1pclos2012) to 4.14.2-1pclos2013
qt4-common (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
qt4-database-plugin-mysql (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
qt4-database-plugin-sqlite (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
qt4-qtconfig (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
qt4-qtdbus (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
qt4-xmlpatterns (4.8.2-2pclos2012) to 4.8.4-1pclos2013
shared-desktop-ontologies (0.5-1pclos2010) to 0.10.0-1pclos2012
soprano (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
soprano-plugin-common (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
soprano-plugin-sesame2 (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
soprano-plugin-virtuoso (2.6.0-1pclos2011) to 2.8.0-1_archie_2012
squid (3.2.3-1pclos2012) to 3.2.5-1pclos2013
strigi (0.7.2-2pclos2011) to 0.7.6-2pclos2012

Installed the following packages:
kactivities (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kate-part (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork-color-schemes (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork-emoticons (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork-icons-theme-nuvola (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork-sounds (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-artwork-wallpapers (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kde-multimedia-kmix (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kdelibs (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
kdenetwork-kppp-provider (4.9.2-2_archie_2012)
libboost1.50.0 (1.50.0-1pclos2012)
libexiv2_12 (0.23-1pclos2012)
libglapi0 (7.11.2-1pclos2011)
libkexiv2 (4.9.2-1_archie_2012)
libmesaglesv2_2 (7.11.2-1pclos2011)
plasma-applet-devicemanager (1.1.1-2pclos2012)
polkit-kde-agent-1 (0.99.0-3pclos2012)
qrencode (3.2.0-1pclos2012)

It would appear that you've been more than a bit lax in doing regular upgrades. The packages removed are KDE 4.6.5 packages. We are currently on KDE 4.9.2, and hardly any of it is now installed. You would need to start by installing the task-kde-minimal package, then when you again have a proper KDE login, open Synaptic and install whatever other parts of KDE you need.

[hughc]

Where is the opportunity  to be lax?  I simply run the tool(synpatic), Reload, mark all upgrades, and apply.
I don't pick and chose.  Is there something to check in Synpatic?