Failed to start the x server in linux

Failed to start the x server in Linux Mint 15

Ok....this blog is not about home inspection but since it's my blog I can talk about what I want to. I've decided to kick Windows to the curb and install Linux on a new Gateway Computer. I've run into a little problem and wanted to document it so that others could help me and others (if they read this) will know how to solve this problem.  My Hardware is a 

• Gateway with windows 8
• AMD A6- 5200 APU
• 4 gigs ddr3 memory
• radeon hd 8400 graphics
• 64 bit system
• I plan to install Linux mint 15 Cinnamon- disc purchased from OSDisc.com
• I have already disabled secure boot in system bios. I think this is something called EUFI. 

Figure 1

This is my first clue somethings up...... my choices yes or no. I click yes.

no screens found..... exit.

Would I like to view the detailed x server output as well? Why not?

the first part of this log

no screen section available 

more info 

exit only choice

At this point I'm pretty clueless about how to fix this so I'm studying linux commands and taking some advice from discussion boards. I'm not a neophyte on computers.... I suffered through windows 3.1 for goodness sakes. I designed this website. But I know nothing about linux commands....yet.

The next 4 pictures and commands did not work but I include them in this blog because they might be applicable if linux cinnamon 15 is already installed  on your computer (I don't know). Also they show how to type in the commands for us newbies. Skip to the blue text below for the solution.

A kind hearted individual said I had to make  /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. His instructions were to Login to the command line. (huh?)

• Run command sudo killall Xorg
• run command sudo Xorg -configure
• sudo cp/root/xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf
• sudo reboot

So I'm going to try it. here goes.

and then this

Doesn't seem to be working out no matter how I do it. At this point I know somebody out there can point me in the right direction. I've got to kick the windows habit. You can leave a comment anonymously below. Thanks 

Following the advice of the kind hearted individual I typed

• sudo killall Xorg
• sudo cp/home/mint/xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf

I get the message "missing destination file operand after...." realizing my mistake of not putting a space after new I entered the command again and I get the message cp: cannot stat '/home/mint/xorg.conf.new /etc' : no such file or directory. (I have found out that spaces seem to be very important and are so easy to forget.) At any rate any way I type it it isn't working. This windows habit is hard to kick.

Above screenshot shows me about to enter the command to copy the xorg.conf.new to the etc/X11/xorg.conf. Of course this didn't work either. At this point I still don't have a clear understanding of how to navigate and view the files I want. Waiting for someone to rescue me. Day 3.

Day 4 and Success...... These are the correct commands submitted by the kind hearted individual below. These commands were entered after I chose no at the screen at the top of this page that says "failed to start the x server....". (Figure 1)

sudo Xorg -configure

sudo cp /home/mint/xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf

startx

Note to the newbies like me.... spaces and capitalization are important! Press enter after each command (3).

Linux now boots up to this screen.

Linux is running in software rendering mode. Now at this point I'm still running the live dvd and it is not installed yet but everything seems to be working. hooray! I just have to solve the hardware acceleration problem. Remember that this computer was made after the release of this version of linux. I did not experience this problem on my older xp machine.

Ok Linux is now installed and running fine.....I like it. But I need a better screen resolution than 800x600. So I went to the AMD website and downloaded the driver. I also followed the instructions provided by This video. To recap - I downloaded the file, extracted it to a folder then in a terminal window I navigated to the folder then I executed the .run file. It seemed to work and when the process was over I was instructed to reboot. That's when my heart sank. 

The following message appeared on the screen. Mode Not Supported. and under it H:75.0khz   V:60.0hz . Below is a picture of this.

Well it's been at least two weeks into this and although I have not continuously worked on this problem the outlook for me installing linux does not look good. I've received no responses from discussion boards or the internet. I have spent a considerable amount of time on this. I have learned a lot though. 

I discovered that pressing Control, Alt, F1, at the same time will take me to the terminal. Now if I only knew what to input...... 

I've also learned how to navigate around the terminal a little, how to type a few commands etc.... although I have no idea what all those files do or where I should go to input whatever it is I must input to get this thing rolling. There seems to be a lot of "secret knowledge" required here. I'm also wondering where my breaking point will be and when I'll be forced to crawl back to windows.....

Well more time has passed and some individuals did offer help and I followed all their advice that I could but ultimately I was left with a decision to reinstall Linux. At least I would be back at square one and I already know how to solve the X problem. Wrong!.... I booted up the linux install disk and reenter my user name.... the whole deal. Took out the install disk as instructed and booted up to this.

   Reboot and select proper boot device. Ugh! Now Linux will not boot up no matter what I do.... No command line either although I do have the option of booting back up to the Linux install disk and starting the process over. Which I did just to make sure. Well that's it for me. No I didn't throw the install disk off the edge of the earth.... although I did think about it. I could always give it to someone I don't like.... Ha. To be fair Linux seemed like a good system for the few days I played around with it. I would have loved to used it. Sure I knew there would be a few challenges. But the bottom line is unless linux can get their act together as far as drivers for video and other devices it's not going to be much use to the average person.

My windows 8 machine didn't come with a recovery or install disk. You have to make one from a flash drive. Which I did. Unfortunately it didn't work (a common problem). You can however order a disk for about 15 bucks from microsoft. When it comes it's supposed to restore my computer to its original state.