Login fails
Login (GDM/KDM) Fails after Update
This week (10/9/2009) many people found themselves unable to logon on Fedora 11 after installing an update.
The symptoms where:
Entering the password.
Screen changed as if login succeeded.
Screen blacked out.
Logon prompt shown again.
Also, after a few attempts, logon was successful but would start failing again after logging out.
A few solutions (workarounds) are possible:
Downgrade the update for Xorg.
Disabling Desktop Effects.
Disabling Tiling on xorg.conf
!!! Take Notice !!!
I tried disabling Tiling first, as I wanted to keep the Desktop Effects on.
It didn't work for me (although I felt it make it more bearable).
So, I tried to disable Desktop Effects also. It seems that it solved the problem.
Therefore, I advise you to try to disable Desktop Effects first.
Besides, on another F11 system that I have, the same update was made, and the problem didn't occur. I don't have Desktop Effects on that system. So, I truly believe that Desktop Effects is the cause.
If you do want to keep Desktop Effects on, then I advise you to downgrade Xorg.
AGAIN, BEWARE:
There were several updates regarding Xorg.
I did NOT test the Xorg downgrade.
I believe it's Desktop Effects related.
I DO NOT guarantee that downgrading the Xorg server will solve the problem.
It's possible that it's another package that needs downgrading.
Again, I did NOT test this solution.
Disabling Desktop Effects
To disable Desktop Effects keep trying to login on graphic mode, and when you do manage to login:
Go to menu System -> Preferences -> Desktop Effects.
Clear all Check Boxes.
Hit the Close Button.
Again, go to menu System -> Preferences -> Desktop Effects.
Hit the Desktop Effects button.
Hit the Close button.
Restart your system.
Check if this worked for you (try login/logout a few times).
Disabling Tiling
To disable Tiling on xorg.conf follow these instructions:
Log on text mode:
Press <CTRL><ALT><F2> keys (or <F3> instead of <F2> if it doesn't take you to text login)
Enter username (root) and confirm pressing the <ENTER> key.
Enter password (password for root) ending again with the <ENTER> key.
Check if you have xorg.conf on your system:
List files by typing and confirming with <ENTER>:
ls /etc/X11
Check if xorg.conf shows at listing.
If AND ONLY IF the file xorg.conf doesn't exist:
Type (at the prompt and end each command line with <ENTER> - I won't be saying this again, also mind blank spaces and case):
Xorg -configure :1
cp /root/xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Edit the file by typing:
vi /etc/X11/xorg.conf
You're now in edit mode: Be VERY careful on what keys you press!!! DO NOT MAKE MISTAKES!!!
If you do make a mistake:
Hit the <ESC> key.
Type:
:q!
This should bring you back to the prompt. Edit the file again, and start over from that point (4.).
Type:
/Section "Device"
Press the "o" key.
Hit the <TAB> key.
Type the following, ending with the <ESC> key:
Option "Tiling" "False"
Hold the <SHIFT> key, and press the "z" key twice (same as typing ZZ, that's two uppercase letter Z).
Should bring you back to the prompt, if not, you made a mistake, and you know what that means (read back).
Restart your system by typing at the prompt:
telinit 6
Or, if that didn't work:
init 6
Check if it worked for you.
Downgrading Xorg (UNTESTED!!! - Read above)
To downgrade Xorg, first make sure that you have a wired connection to the Internet, then:
Log on text mode:
Press <CTRL><ALT><F2> keys (or <F3> instead of <F2> if it doesn't take you to text login)
Enter username (root) and confirm pressing the <ENTER> key.
Enter password (password for root) ending again with the <ENTER> key.
Enable downgrades, and downgrade Xorg on your system:
Enable downgrades by typing and confirming with <ENTER>:
yum install yum-plugin-allowdowngrade
Downgrade Xorg by typing (end with <ENTER>):
yum downgrade xorg-x11-server-Xorg
Restart your system by typing at the prompt:
telinit 6
Or, if that didn't work:
init 6
Check if it worked for you.