From Bugzilla Helper: User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 Galeon/1.2.1 (X11; Linux i686; U;) Gecko/20020421 Debian/1.2.1-1 Description of problem: If a machine has a working network config, but the hostname does not resolve, gdm refuses to start the xserver with: gdm_auth_secure_display: Error getting hentry for <machinename> In my particular case, this happens because we have a secure dynamic dns update mechanism and I haven't configured it yet. I can still access the network and have a valid IP. At best this is obscure and guaranteed to leave a newbie stumped. Why should the X server refuse to start because gdm can't resolve the hostname? It can still authenticate the user the same way the console can. An error message at the graphic would be more appropriate. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): How reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: 1.Set up machine with a working network config, but an unresolvable hostname 2. Watch gdm squirm 3. Actual Results: As described above. Expected Results: Described above. Additional info:
Bug posted on gnome.org at http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=84659 - you may want to get on the cc list for that upstream bug. We will get the fix if this is resolved upstream.