Re: X Server and XFCE4 Session Issues

On 11/30/25 3:17 AM, Subhrajit Sain ([email protected] via blfs-support Mailing List) 
wrote:
> Hi BLFS Support Team,
> 
> Before I start, some general information: *I am using BLFS & LFS version 12.3*.
> 
> I was following the BLFS XFCE guide for building the XFCE desktop environment for my 
> OS, MrrpOS <https://anw.is-a.dev/mrrpos>. But recently, I came across an issue where 
> after compiling xfce4-session and following the guide to setup ~/.xinitrc and then 
> issuing the startx command, the X.Org Server started, got a blank screen for ~2 
> seconds and then crashed, saying the following:
> 
>     xauth:  file /root/.serverauth.8420 does not exist

That is just a warning you can ignore.

>     X.Org X Server 1.21.1.16
>     X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
>     Current Operating System: Linux mrrpos 6.13.4 #9 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Thu Jul 31
>     19:41:51 BST 2025 x86_64
>     Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.13.4-lfs-12.3 root=/dev/sdb1
>     rootdelay=10 ro
> 
>     Current version of pixman: 0.44.2
>     Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org <http://wiki.x.org>
>     to make sure that you have the latest version.
>     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/Xorg.3.log", Time: Sun Nov 30 09:52:18 2025
>     (==) Using config directory: "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d"
>     (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
>     The XKEYBOARD keymap compiler (xkbcomp) reports:
>     > Warning:          Could not resolve keysym XF86RefreshRateToggle
>     > Warning:          Could not resolve keysym XF86Accessibility
>     > Warning:          Could not resolve keysym XF86DoNotDisturb
>     Errors from xkbcomp are not fatal to the X server
>     *_Session lifetime based on X11 requested, but X11 support not compiled in._*
>     xinit: connection to X server lost

Did you run 'sudo ldconfig' ??

>     waiting for X server to shut down (II) Server terminated successfully (0).
>     Closing log file.
> 
> But, I already have xfce4-session built with both X11 support as well as Legacy SM. I 
> do not understand the issue that exists. Now, a little detail on what I did:
> 
>  1. I was building the XFCE packages from source as normal, installing the
>     dependencies too.
>  2. Similarly, I built the XFCE4 Session <https://www.linuxfromscratch.org/blfs/
>     view/12.3/xfce/xfce4-session.html> package as normal, installing the required
>     packages and some other recommended ones too.
>  3. After configuration, I clearly saw: "* X11 Support: yes" and "* Legacy session
>     management: yes".
>  4. I built the package using make and installed it.
>  5.
>     I ran the following:
> 
>         update-desktop-database && update-mime-database /usr/share/mime
> 
>  6. Next I edited ~/.xinitrc exactly as instructed.
>  7. I ran startx.
>  8. I got the "Session lifetime based on X11 requested, but X11 support not compiled
>     in." error after which it stopped.

I cannot tell what is going on, but I suggest first starting Xorg with twm
to see if the problem is Xorg or XFCE.  Also you do not say if Xorg is in
/usr or /opt.

To start twm I use:

$ cat ~/.xinitrc
session=${2:-xfce}

case $session in
   xfce      ) /usr/bin/startxfce4   ;;
   twm       ) xterm  -g 80x40+0+0   &
               xclock -g 100x100-0+0 &
               twm
               ;;
esac
-------

Then start with "startx twm"

At that point twm should start with one xterm and xclock.  Left click and hold
on the background to get the menu and exit.

Next check the log: .local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log to see if there are any
EE or WW messages.

If all is OK, try a plain 'startx' to see if XFCE still fails.

   -- Bruce

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