[NTLUG:Discuss] get desktop back!

[Rick Cook]

On Thursday 26 July 2007 13:50:01 Mike LaPlante wrote:
> m m wrote:
> > All:
> >
> > I installed gnome desktop at beginning. Every thing went good.
> > one day, I think I like to try kde, and i add the kde package and remove
> > the gnome package. ( all went through the graph interface 'add/remove
> > packages').
> >
> > After it was done. I reboot the computer, the kde login window popped up.
> > something happens after I enter the root id and password -- keeping
> > saying login incorrect and the login window pops up again and again....
> > what's wrong with kde?
> >
> > The only way I can get in the system is through vnc.
> > The vnc display is just like an old grand pa's X console.
> >
> > I have tried use the F7 dvd, F7 rescue cd, see if there a way the
> > reinstall the packages. But there is no way to get the point.
> >
> > Can anyone have any idea to get it back?
> >
> > Thanks
> > _________________________________________________________________
>
> I'm guessing you are on Fedora 7.  I would use ctrl+alt+F1 to get to the
> console login. Login as root. Run
>
> To reinstall Gnome
> #yum groupinstall "GNOME Desktop Environment"
> To remove KDE
> #yum grouperase "KDE Desktop Environment"
>
> But something doesn't sound right you shouldn't be having authentication
> issues.
>
> Mike
>

The default kdm configuration sometimes "disallows" root logins. For instance, 
in my Debian installation, my kdmrc file has:

# Allow root logins?
AllowRootLogin=false

and therefore root is not allowed to authenticate via kdm. M M, try logging in 
as a non-root user and see if your problem goes away. If you really must 
login as root, you probably need to change your kdmrc file. I don't know 
where other distributions might store it, however, Debian stores it at:

/etc/kde3/kdm/kdmrc


Good Luck,

Rick