Ubuntu
kdebase package

Can't start Ubuntu Gnome or KDE, only console

Asked by Bill Randle

Installed KDE on Ubuntu 8.04 and used it for a week, I’ve been very happy with the install and have been using KDE daily. I installed some programs (with the package manager) screen savers and some software updates last night. When I started Firefox my bookmarks were missing. I got an error message saying my calendar had not been saved properly. I tried shutting completely down, when I try to re-start, I click on KDE session (as always), enter my password (no, not forgotten), no caps lock not on, and the screen returns to the sign in screen. I tried starting a gnome session, same problem. I tried recovery mode, same problem. I started a (was it console?) session and was able to enter my user name and password ok, but what do I do from here? I have the terminal screen. Don't want to lose all my new installed programs.

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Ubuntu kdebase Edit question
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marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#1

First be sure youe system is fully updated/upgraded, form terminal or console type:

sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt-get -f install
sudo apt-get clean all
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get clean all

give your user password when requested, you don't see nothing when you type it, then press enter.

Then please try to reconfigure gdm, from terminal or console type:
sudo dpkg-reconfiure gdm

restart your pc, type

sudo reboot

or halt it with:

sudo halt

Hope this helps

Revision history for this message
marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra) said : 		#2

typo, you must type:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm

instead of:

sudo dpkg-reconfiure gdm

Thank you

Revision history for this message
Bill Randle (billrandle2006) said : 		#3

Thanks for the advice. I followed the directions carefully, but still have the same problem. However, I am able to start a GUI session by entering sudo startx, this also gives me root, which is not advisable as I obviously am a "newbie". Also, this does not start a KDE session.

Revision history for this message
Steven Rose (steveydoteu) said : 		#4

If you want KDE you would need to install KDM rather than GDM.

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