Ok, I'm dying to use linux but X serve the graphical interface service wont start and I get an error.

I've tried both Linux Mint and Ubuntu x64, can any point me in the right direction?

Specs:
E6600 CPU
2x1GB DDR2-800 Corsair RAM
ASUS P5N-E Mobo
BFG 8800GTS
300GB Seagate SATAII HDD
NEC DVD-RW

Are you using the 64 bit NVIDIA driver?

Installing nvidia 9472 for the 8800 in 64-bit dapper - Ubuntu Forums

Dealing with problems with the Xserver - Ubuntu Forums

X Serve? Do you mean xorg or or what. Maybe I am just not understanding it.

Are you using the Live CDs or trying to install it on the hard drive? And yes, if you're installing the nVidia driver, make sure to use the correct one (x86 vs. x86_64). If you can walk us through your install process, I might be able to help you a bit more.

Ok, It's really called X-Server and I need to change a file called 'xorg.conf' through the terminal, but I dont know how to do that from the Live CD or if its even possible.

This pisses me off so much... This is exactly why I gave up on linux a year ago, because it's a LIVE-CD I cant change anything (xorg.conf), I want to install it to the HDD, cant do that either without having the live cd working... And they dont even have an alternate CD for linux mint...

Stupid linux...

I disagree with the last thing you said.

what happens when you try to edit the xorg.conf file?
try typing, nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf
if it says the command nano, isn't found, then, you don't have that editor, so try running, pico /etc/X11/xorg.conf
it should have nano, but, just incase.
if you can open the file, try to find the section called, device, it should start with, Section "Device"
once you've found the section, look for the line that begins with, Driver, and then has something in quotes
chances are it will say, Driver "nv", which is a generic Nvidia driver.
try changing the line to, Driver "vesa", which is a generic driver

try saving the changes, and if it doesn't let you, it will probably say something about permissions. if it's about permissions, or not, would you tell us what it says?
if the save does work, you could try restarting the x server, by type, startx

there are other people who are having troubles with the eight series, so, you're not alone. also, the eight series uses different drivers, than the others, so, that probably has something to do with it.

if you try, tel us know how it goes.
I hope it goes well

OK now when I type nano /ect/X11/xorg.conf

I get to this screen where there is just a bunch of options on the bottom like ^G and ^N but no file to edit.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dreyco OK now when I type nano /ect/X11/xorg.conf I get to this screen where there is just a bunch of options on the bottom like ^G and ^N but no file to edit.

etc ,not ect

sorry typo on the forum end not the linux end

Aha! The world forgot to tell me about the 'sudo' that goes before 'nano'

lollerskates it works!

Quote: Originally Posted by Dreyco Aha! The world forgot to tell me about the 'sudo' that goes before 'nano' lollerskates it works!

Yea i just started using ubuntu a couple weeks ago. It has no root so u have to use sudo instead.

This is pretty BOSS, I feel like a uber nerd typing in terminal to install things lol

Ok the automatic nvidia update driver thing did not work... now i just get green lines...

Quote: Originally Posted by Dreyco This is pretty BOSS, I feel like a uber nerd typing in terminal to install things lol

Another neat command i've been using alot is That gives you root permissions for draging and dropping files, and copy paste, etc; but it still doesn't give you all the root rights.

su root

gets you in as root user.

On ubuntu, there is no root account, so su doesn't work. One of the reason why I dont like ubuntu, everything has to be done in sudo out of the box.

Well i think i broke my install... I think the automatic update thinger installed the driver for everything before 8800's

But the "sh nividablahblah.run" wouldnt work in the terminal to install it manually.

Quote: Originally Posted by fatsobob On ubuntu, there is no root account, so su doesn't work. One of the reason why I dont like ubuntu, everything has to be done in sudo out of the box.

Please don't tell my little Ubuntu box this, when I type "su root" in a terminal window, I am in as root.
Edgy Eft.

Well from default, there is no root. You can always make a root account, but 9/10 people who use ubuntu wouldn't do that(Whether they know or not is beyond me)
Though some people use ubuntu, they might as well be using straight up debian and do it themselves.