When tinkering with a new OS [[Dreamlinux]] it is inevitable that one is going to break it. Let’s keep in mind that there are many scripts in any version of linux.

In my current configuration I am using an Nvidia beta driver. This also may be a factor. But to make a long story short the OS complained more than once on reboot. Worse yet I could not get to the desktop. Here is the path I have taken that allows me to fix matters while locating the actual problem.

Keep in mind that the commands and file/folder names are case sensitive.

#1 Gain control of the system by going CTRL + ALT + F1

This drops you into a terminal window

Log in

#2 Become root

sudo su

#3 go to the root folder

cd ../

cd ../

#4 switch directories

cd /etc/X11

#5 display contents of folder

ls

X          XvMCConfig           fonts    xinit           xserver
Xresources      Xwrapper.config       icewm    xkb
Xsession      app-defaults           ja_JP.eucJP    xorg.conf
Xsession.d      default-display-manager  openbox    xorg.conf.1st
Xsession.options  fluxbox           rgb.txt    xorg.conf.bak

Contents should look similar to above. The file we are interested in is xorg.conf. If this file gets clobbered there are 2 choices

#1 rebuild the file by hand from within an editor

#2 Let the system help you

Here is the procedure for number 2

Delete the xorg.conf file. Note I am already root!!!

rm xorg.conf

Restart the system and a basic file will be built. More than likely it will select the native VESA driver. Since at an earlier date I had downloaded my Nvidia driver I took a long shot and did the below.

#1 Again drop to the terminal window as before

sudo nvidia-install

After a delay for the compile and install the system rebooted and I was up and running. 

NOTE: if you have been using compiz you will have to set that back up because your settings for it get written to this file.

Possible causes of this problem are as follows:

Beta video driver, improper shut down, video related software (compiz)

Good luck and keep learning