UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I am trying to connect to a unix server box and start an X session. It has kde and xfree86 installed. However, since it is just a server, sitting somehwere in another state probably on top of and below other servers, it has no mouse,keyboard,or monitor attached to it.

When I try to startx, I get this error (and rightfully so)

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Using authority file /root/.Xauthority
Writing authority file /root/.Xauthority
Using authority file /root/.Xauthority
Writing authority file /root/.Xauthority

XFree86 Version 4.3.0 (Custom Build: 4.3.0-2.90.60.legacy)
Release Date: 15 August 2003
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0, Release 6.6
Build Operating System: Linux 2.6.8-1.521smp i686 [ELF]
Build Date: 01 February 2005
Build Host:

Before reporting any problems, please make sure you are using the most
recent XFree86 packages available from Red Hat by checking for updates
at http://rhn.redhat.com/errata or by using the Red Hat Network up2date
tool. If you still encounter problems, please file bug reports in the
XFree86.org bugzilla at http://bugs.xfree86.org and/or Red Hat
bugzilla at http://bugzilla.redhat.com

Module Loader present
OS Kernel: Linux version 2.4.20-28.9 (bhcompile@daffy.perf.redhat.com) (gcc version 3.2.2 20030222 (Red Hat Linux 3.2.2-5)) #1 Thu Dec 18 13:46:42 EST 2003
Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
(==) Log file: "/var/log/XFree86.0.log", Time: Sat Mar 12 23:24:55 2005
(==) Using config file: "/etc/X11/XF86Config"

(EE) xf86OpenSerial: Cannot open device /dev/mouse
No such file or directory.
(EE) Mouse0: cannot open input device
(EE) PreInit failed for input device "Mouse0"
No core pointer

Fatal server error:
failed to initialize core devices

If you encounter a server crash, please report the problem by filing a bug
report in the XFree86.org bugzilla at http://bugs.xfree86.org and/or Red Hat
bugzilla at http://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla. When filing your report, it
is very important that you explain your problem in as much detail as possible,
and include a complete description on how to reproduce the problem. After
submitting the bug report, attach the following files as uncompressed
individual file attachments using the bugzilla file attachment feature:
- X server log file: /var/log/XFree86.0.log
- X server config file: /etc/X11/XF86Config
- Kernel log file: /var/log/messages

XIO: fatal IO error 104 (Connection reset by peer) on X server ":0.0"
after 0 requests (0 known processed) with 0 events remaining.
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well DUH, cause I dont have a mouse or anything else. How can i change my configuration file to tell the server I don't have a local mouse, and still connect remotely to it?

Thanks!
-Jake

startx --- as far as i understand it --- starts the Xwindows environment locally on the box it is installed in ... but it will not start if the box has no keyboard or a video card that can support it ...

if you're looking to use X for systems administration, you can export the display to your box and then start dtterm or xterm on the remote server ... i have been doing this method for a while and it works fine since i can have separate xterm windows for a whole bunch of servers that i might be playing with at the same time ... very useful when editing the same file on multiple servers or running the same commands/scripts pretty much simultaneuosly ...

Section "ServerFlags"
Option "AllowMouseOpenFail" "1"
EndSection

that fixed it

-jake