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[Solved] error "Failed to open the X display"

Posted: 30. Aug 2009, 02:02
by herb
I recently installed FreeBSD 7.2 release on it's own drive and have x11 running. I'm interested in learning about vertual machines and after several attempts got Sun's port for FreeBSD 7.2 up and running - not configured mind you as I'm not sure how I want to use it yet - the wizzard opened etc

The Makefile was dated Aug 14th 09 and listed port version 3.0.51.r22226. (Sun 3.0.51_OSE.r22185).

The GUI should open from the command line with
#VirtualBox
but I get an error "failed to open the X display"

If I open x11 manually with # startx
then use command #VirtualBox
it opens.

I've a lot to learn and not yet familiar enough with the command line utility VBoxManage.

Does anyone know what I'm missing?

Thanks, herb

Re: error "Failed to open the X display"

Posted: 30. Aug 2009, 11:15
by Sasquatch
You can't start graphical applications without being in that graphical environment, X11 in this case. The same happens with Linux, if you log on to a TTY and try to open a graphical program like Firefox, then you get the same error. However, if you're already in X, then it's strange that you get that error.

VirtualBox is the GUI for the program, VBoxManage is the CLI tool.

Re: error "Failed to open the X display"

Posted: 31. Aug 2009, 02:59
by herb
It's working as it should then. If I open x and within the x window enter
#VirtualBox
the application starts.

Thank you for the explanation.