error message when i start x-windows

[mackey333]

When I type startx at the command prompt, the screen goes black and then a dialog box pops up that says something to the effect "could not locate the internet address for localhost, this will prevent gnome from operating correctly. the problem might be resolved by adding the host to /ect/hosts"..this file is currently empty so i don't know what i should put in there. -Greg :-Q

 

[danielhozac]

Execute this command: [tt]echo "127.0.0.1 localhost localhost.localdomain `hostname`" >> /etc/hosts[/tt] //Daniel

 

[RhythmAce]

If /etc/host is empty, you will get this error. If you open this file with a text editor, you will see a line that looks like this:

127.0.0.1 localhost localhost.localdomain

Your login screen will say "Welcome to localhost". You can give your machine a hostname by adding it to these names. I'm not 100% sure but I think the one first in the list, is the one you will see in the welcome screen and in your command line prompts. If you add another line with your internet ip, this is the name that will be seen by the internet. It will look like hostname.isp.domain.com. The first name to the right of the ip ise the name associated with that device and the rest are aliases. When you get X working, you will be able to got to networks settings and this will make more sense. All this can be done after doing what danielhozac suggests.

 

[danielhozac]

RhythmAce,
...I think the one first in the list, is the one you will see in the welcome screen and in your command line prompts...
On RedHat, the hostname is set in [tt]/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-<interface>[/tt].
It can also be set manually with the command [tt]hostname[/tt]. //Daniel

 

[RhythmAce]

Does that make me a liar?

 

[danielhozac]

I guess that depends on your definition of a liar ;-) //Daniel

 

[RhythmAce]

I am known as &quot;The Teller of Truths&quot;. Be it far from me to mislead by means of deception.