In this article, we’ll be exploring a common issue that users often encounter when running the X -configure command in Ubuntu. The error message “Server is already active” can be perplexing, but with the right steps, it’s easily resolved. Let’s dive into the details.
To fix the ‘Server is already active’ error when running the X -configure command in Ubuntu, you need to stop the X server, run the command to create the xorg.conf file, and then start the X server again.
Understanding the X -configure Command
The X -configure command is used to create a new xorg.conf file. This file is a configuration file for the X.Org Server, which is the free and open-source implementation of the display server for the X Window System stewarded by the X.Org Foundation.
The xorg.conf file is not required for most systems, but can be created to make certain adjustments like input device settings or font paths.
The ‘Server is Already Active’ Error
The “Server is already active” error typically occurs when the X server is running while you’re trying to create the xorg.conf file. This is because the X -configure command needs to be run without the X server running.
How to Resolve the Error
Here’s a step-by-step guide to resolving this error:
Step 1: Open a Terminal
You can open a terminal using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+ALT+F1.
Step 2: Stop the X Server
Once the terminal is open, you need to stop the X server. The command to stop the X server depends on your desktop environment. For LightDM (the default for Ubuntu), the command is sudo stop lightdm. If you’re using Kubuntu or GNOME shell, replace lightdm with kdm or gdm respectively.
The sudo command is used to perform tasks that require administrative or root permissions. The stop command followed by the service name (lightdm, kdm, or gdm) stops the respective service.
Step 3: Run the X -configure Command
With the X server stopped, you can now run the sudo Xorg -configure command to create the xorg.conf file.
Step 4: Start the X Server Again
Once the configuration is complete, start the X server again by running sudo start lightdm (or kdm or gdm).
Additional Troubleshooting
If you encounter the error “cannot create file /tmp/.X0-lock” after removing the /tmp/.X0-lock file, it could be due to insufficient permissions. Make sure you are logged in as root or have the necessary rights to create the file.
If you’re still facing issues, you can try running the command ps auxw | grep X. This command lists the running processes and filters for ‘X’. You can then kill the X server process and try running the “X -configure” command again.
Conclusion
Resolving the “Server is already active” error when running the X -configure command in Ubuntu is a straightforward process once you understand the cause of the error. By stopping the X server before running the command, you can create the xorg.conf file without any issues.
For more information and discussion on this topic, you can refer to the following link: http://git.net/ml/apple.fink.beginners/2002-08/msg00246.html
To open a terminal in Ubuntu, press CTRL+ALT+T.
The X -configure command is used to create a new xorg.conf file, which is a configuration file for the X.Org Server.
No, the X server needs to be stopped to create the xorg.conf file using the X -configure command.
To stop the X server in Ubuntu, you can use the command sudo stop lightdm if you’re using LightDM as the display manager. Replace lightdm with kdm or gdm if you’re using Kubuntu or GNOME shell respectively.
To start the X server again, you can use the command sudo start lightdm (or kdm or gdm depending on your display manager).
If you encounter this error, it could be due to insufficient permissions. Make sure you are logged in as root or have the necessary rights to create the file.
You can try running the command ps auxw | grep X to list the running processes and filter for ‘X’. Then, you can kill the X server process and try running the X -configure command again.
