Member Avatar for eesti44

Hey all!!

Taking a break from C++. I have tried to install Solaris 10. It went ok but it seems incapable of producing a consolefrom the start. It has no problem with a text screen. I was able to set up a root and root password. It is not networked. The system never switches to graphics mode during installation. I checked and all hardware and it seems to fit requirements. It (the hard disk) is partitioned. This is a computer I put together myself. The first partition runs XP(never abandon a working operating system). What could be the problem here? I will be happy to provide more info if needed. Thanks.

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Dani AI

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Following and , here is a focused troubleshooting checklist and practical steps that address why a Solaris 10 install never reaches a graphical desktop and why shutdown can hang after filesystem sync.

Start by narrowing the cause into three usual categories: the X/desktop packages were not installed, the X server starts but fails because it cannot talk to the video hardware, or the graphical/login service is disabled or failing. The quickest diagnostics show which of those is true and give concrete next actions.

Run a few text-mode checks to collect the evidence (examples shown below; run them from the console):

pkginfo | egrep -i 'x|gnome|Xorg'
svcs -xv
tail -n 200 /var/adm/messages
ls -l /var/log | egrep -i 'Xorg|Xserver'
  • pkginfo verifies whether the X/desktop packages are present.
  • svcs -xv reports SMF services that are disabled or failing and includes actionable diagnostics for the display/login services.
  • The system log and the X server log reveal driver errors, mode-setting failures, or missing devices.

If packages are missing, install the desktop/X bundles or re-run the installer with the desktop option. If X is present but reports driver problems, try generating a minimal configuration and testing with a generic framebuffer/VESA driver (or use the vendor-provided Solaris driver if available). Check BIOS/firmware settings for video output mode (onboard vs PCI, legacy VGA compatibility) and verify the kernel saw the card during boot. For the shutdown hang, inspect the final lines of the system log to find services or mounts that failed to stop; stalled network/NFS mounts and kernel driver unload failures are common culprits. A practical note: edit X configuration files with a text editor rather than attempting to execute a configuration file as a command.

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Member Avatar for TheNNS

you might have to manually configure xorg, or whatever you're using. You'll have to edit the text file, but i can't remember where it's located at.

Member Avatar for John A

The xorg configuration file is usually located in /etc/X11/xorg.conf .

Member Avatar for eesti44

Thanks for the replies.

I tried to enter:
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf
and even tried:
# /user/local/etc/X11/xorg.conf

While inputing both of these I got the message: not found

It seems strange nothing really works concerning a GUI. I have installed it 3 times 2 regular and 1 console method but get the same thing.

Also when I try to power off with the command:

# poweroff

it simply locks up after syncing file systems.

What is the deal with this OS??

All help is very much appreciated

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