On Oct 2,  5:41pm, Paul Whiting wrote:
> Subject: Re: Problems after xdm displays login screen...
>
> On Tue 23 Sep, Robert Black wrote:
> > On Sep 22, 10:34pm, Richard Barrass [RISCBSD] wrote:
> > > Subject: Problems after xdm displays login screen...
> > > All,
> > >
> > > I've managed to get xdm working [to the fact that the Xarm banner is
> > > displayed shortly followed by the X login screen].
> > >
> > > I type my username and password in and all seems fine, until some text
> > > flashes on the console window [B/R of screen] and the Xarm banner is
> > > displayed once more... :-( ]
> >
> > Please could you check /usr/X11R6.1/lib/xdm/xdm-errors for any messages.
> >
> > Another question: how much swap do you have?
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> > Rob
> >
> >
>
> I've had the same problem. I've attached my xdm-errors file for your perusal.
> I have the amount of swap recommended in the install guide.
> Also, from time to time I manage to break into X, but I'm not sure how or
why.

I suspect your problem is one of xsm dumping core. I have no idea why this
happens except that it does (it doesn't appear to happen using my latest
sources/compiler). Once xdm has set up the X server it runs a script called
Xsession (in /usr/X11R6.1/lib/X11/xdm) which looks in your home directory for a
configuration script and if it isn't present it gives you a default
configuration. The default configuration fires up some xterms and then execs
xsm (for those who don't know exec replaces the currently running program with
the named program in the same process). When the Xsession/xsm process
terminates the 'session' is deemed to be over and xdm logs you out before
firing up a new login screen. If xsm core dumps then you get logged out again.

The obvious thing to try is not to run xsm as the session process. Try swapping
the xsm line with an xterm line, e.g.

    xterm -geometry 80x40+100+100 &
...
    exec xsm

would become

    xsm &
...
    exec xterm -geometry 80x40+100+100

note that the 'exec' and the '&' stay in their original places ('&' runs a
process in the background). Now fire up xdm and try logging in. It should work
(provided that the account has a password).

If you find you get a terminal window with no title bar this means you have no
window manager running so type 'twm &' (or 'fvwm &' if you have installed the
fvwm set) in the terminal window and a title bar will appear so you can drag
the window around, etc.

Read the xdm manual page and examine the Xsession file for further details.

Cheers

Rob