PROBLEM:

Installed latest release onto an old Sony Vaio Laptop and find that I cannot get a desktop. I believe I've set it to GNOME, but would be happy to get any desktop up and running at the moment.

All I see is a black screen and blinking cursor. From there I must use CTL+CMD+F1 to get a login prompt which then gives me a command line.

The install seems to be correct other than that, as I can get a command line and look around the install.

RELEASE:

Code:
┌──(kali㉿kali)-[~]
└─$ lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID:	Kali
Description:	Kali GNU/Linux Rolling
Release:	2020.4
Codename:	kali-rolling
HOST:

This is an old 32 bit Sony Vaio laptop model TX5XN

GRAPHICS:

Code:
┌──(kali㉿kali)-[~]
└─$ lspci -s 00:02.0 -v
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
	Subsystem: Sony Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller
	Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 16
	Memory at f4100000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=512K]
	I/O ports at 1800 [size=8]
	Memory at d0000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
	Memory at f4200000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256K]
	Expansion ROM at 000c0000 [virtual] [disabled] [size=128K]
	Capabilities: <access denied>
	Kernel driver in use: i915
	Kernel modules: i915
The driver seems to be the correct one for the card, from what I've found online.


XORG:

When starting the desktop I see no error but also no desktop:

Code:
┌──(kali㉿kali)-[~]
└─$ sudo systemctl start gdm
[sudo] password for kali:

┌──(kali㉿kali)-[~]
└─$ echo $?
0
As I've never had to explicitly start a desktop from the command line before, I don't know what is supposed to happen. Does the command prompt become replaced by a desktop or am I supposed to get to it in some other way? For all I know the command is succeeding and I'm blithely unaware of how to get to my now running desktop.

I've spent a couple of evenings Googling around the issues I've hit and at one point was seeing this in the Xorg log:


Code:
┌──(kali㉿kali)-[~]
└─$ cat /var/lib/gdm3/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log
[   404.817] (--) Log file renamed from "/var/lib/gdm3/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.pid-1127.log" to "/var/lib/gdm3/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log"
[   404.821]
X.Org X Server 1.20.10
X Protocol Version 11, Revision 0
[   404.823] Build Operating System: Linux 4.19.0-12-amd64 i686 Debian
[   404.823] Current Operating System: Linux kali 5.9.0-kali5-686-pae #1 SMP Debian 5.9.15-1kali1 (2020-12-18) i686
[   404.824] Kernel command line: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.9.0-kali5-686-pae root=UUID=60c4ff95-bb15-491a-8280-892dfb7a2909 ro quiet splash
[   404.825] Build Date: 02 December 2020  10:41:35AM
[   404.825] xorg-server 2:1.20.10-1 (https://www.debian.org/support)
[   404.825] Current version of pixman: 0.40.0
[   404.825]  Before reporting problems, check http://wiki.x.org
	to make sure that you have the latest version.
[   404.825] Markers: (--) probed, (**) from config file, (==) default setting,
	(++) from command line, (!!) notice, (II) informational,
	(WW) warning, (EE) error, (NI) not implemented, (??) unknown.
[   404.827] (==) Log file: "/var/lib/gdm3/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log", Time: Mon Jan 11 18:31:51 2021
[   404.828] (==) Using system config directory "/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d"
[   404.828] (==) No Layout section.  Using the first Screen section.
[   404.828] (==) No screen section available. Using defaults.
[   404.828] (**) |-->Screen "Default Screen Section" (0)
[   404.828] (**) |   |-->Monitor "<default monitor>"
[   404.829] (==) No monitor specified for screen "Default Screen Section".
	Using a default monitor configuration.
[   404.829] (==) Automatically adding devices
[   404.829] (==) Automatically enabling devices
[   404.829] (==) Automatically adding GPU devices
[   404.829] (==) Max clients allowed: 256, resource mask: 0x1fffff
[   404.829] (WW) The directory "/usr/share/fonts/X11/cyrillic" does not exist.
[   404.829]  Entry deleted from font path.
[   404.829] (==) FontPath set to:
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/misc,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi/:unscaled,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi/:unscaled,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/Type1,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/100dpi,
	/usr/share/fonts/X11/75dpi,
	built-ins
[   404.829] (==) ModulePath set to "/usr/lib/xorg/modules"
[   404.829] (II) The server relies on udev to provide the list of input devices.
	If no devices become available, reconfigure udev or disable AutoAddDevices.
[   404.829] (II) Loader magic: 0x716740
[   404.829] (II) Module ABI versions:
[   404.829]  X.Org ANSI C Emulation: 0.4
[   404.835]  X.Org Video Driver: 24.1
[   404.835]  X.Org XInput driver : 24.1
[   404.835]  X.Org Server Extension : 10.0
[   404.839] (++) using VT number 1

[   404.851] (II) systemd-logind: took control of session /org/freedesktop/login1/session/c2
[   404.852] (II) xfree86: Adding drm device (/dev/dri/card0)
[   404.863] (II) systemd-logind: got fd for /dev/dri/card0 226:0 fd 12 paused 0
[   404.901] (--) PCI:*(0@0:2:0) 8086:27a2:104d:8207 rev 3, Mem @ 0xf4100000/524288, 0xd0000000/268435456, 0xf4200000/262144, I/O @ 0x00001800/8, BIOS @ 0x????????/131072
[   404.901] (--) PCI: (0@0:2:1) 8086:27a6:104d:8207 rev 3, Mem @ 0xf4180000/524288
[   404.901] (II) LoadModule: "glx"
[   404.907] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/extensions/libglx.so
[   404.909] (II) Module glx: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[   404.909]  compiled for 1.20.10, module version = 1.0.0
[   404.909]  ABI class: X.Org Server Extension, version 10.0
[   404.909] (==) Matched intel as autoconfigured driver 0
[   404.909] (==) Matched modesetting as autoconfigured driver 1
[   404.909] (==) Matched fbdev as autoconfigured driver 2
[   404.909] (==) Matched vesa as autoconfigured driver 3
[   404.915] (==) Assigned the driver to the xf86ConfigLayout
[   404.915] (II) LoadModule: "intel"
[   404.916] (WW) Warning, couldn't open module intel
[   404.916] (EE) Failed to load module "intel" (module does not exist, 0)
[   404.916] (II) LoadModule: "modesetting"
[   404.916] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/modesetting_drv.so
[   404.917] (II) Module modesetting: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[   404.917]  compiled for 1.20.10, module version = 1.20.10
[   404.917]  Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[   404.917]  ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 24.1
[   404.917] (II) LoadModule: "fbdev"
[   404.917] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/fbdev_drv.so
[   404.917] (II) Module fbdev: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[   404.917]  compiled for 1.20.0, module version = 0.5.0
[   404.917]  Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[   404.917]  ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 24.0
[   404.917] (II) LoadModule: "vesa"
[   404.923] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/vesa_drv.so
[   404.924] (II) Module vesa: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[   404.924]  compiled for 1.20.9, module version = 2.5.0
[   404.924]  Module class: X.Org Video Driver
[   404.924]  ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 24.1
[   404.924] (II) modesetting: Driver for Modesetting Kernel Drivers: kms
[   404.924] (II) FBDEV: driver for framebuffer: fbdev
[   404.924] (II) VESA: driver for VESA chipsets: vesa
[   404.929] xf86EnableIOPorts: failed to set IOPL for I/O (Operation not permitted)
[   404.930] (II) modeset(0): using drv /dev/dri/card0
[   404.930] (WW) Falling back to old probe method for fbdev
[   404.930] (II) Loading sub module "fbdevhw"
[   404.930] (II) LoadModule: "fbdevhw"
[   404.930] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libfbdevhw.so
[   404.930] (II) Module fbdevhw: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[   404.931]  compiled for 1.20.10, module version = 0.0.2
[   404.931]  ABI class: X.Org Video Driver, version 24.1
[   404.931] (EE) open /dev/fb0: Permission denied
[   404.931] (WW) VGA arbiter: cannot open kernel arbiter, no multi-card support
[   404.932] (II) modeset(0): Creating default Display subsection in Screen section
	"Default Screen Section" for depth/fbbpp 24/32
[   404.932] (==) modeset(0): Depth 24, (==) framebuffer bpp 32
[   404.933] (==) modeset(0): RGB weight 888
[   404.933] (==) modeset(0): Default visual is TrueColor
[   404.933] (II) Loading sub module "glamoregl"
[   404.933] (II) LoadModule: "glamoregl"
[   404.933] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libglamoregl.so
[   404.961] (II) Module glamoregl: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[   404.961]  compiled for 1.20.10, module version = 1.0.1
[   404.967]  ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version 0.4
[   405.252] (II) modeset(0): glamor X acceleration enabled on Mesa DRI Intel(R) 945GM x86/MMX/SSE2
[   405.252] (II) modeset(0): glamor initialized
[   405.252] (II) modeset(0): Output LVDS-1 has no monitor section
[   405.266] (II) modeset(0): Output VGA-1 has no monitor section
[   405.268] (II) modeset(0): EDID for output LVDS-1
[   405.268] (II) modeset(0): Printing probed modes for output LVDS-1
[   405.268] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1366x768"x60.2   77.20  1366 1430 1558 1656  768 769 770 774 -hsync -vsync (46.6 kHz P)
[   405.268] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1360x768"x59.8   84.75  1360 1432 1568 1776  768 771 781 798 -hsync +vsync (47.7 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1360x768"x60.0   72.00  1360 1408 1440 1520  768 771 781 790 +hsync -vsync (47.4 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1280x720"x120.0  156.12  1280 1376 1512 1744  720 721 724 746 doublescan -hsync +vsync (89.5 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1280x720"x120.0  120.75  1280 1304 1320 1360  720 721 724 740 doublescan +hsync -vsync (88.8 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1280x720"x59.9   74.50  1280 1344 1472 1664  720 723 728 748 -hsync +vsync (44.8 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1280x720"x59.7   63.75  1280 1328 1360 1440  720 723 728 741 +hsync -vsync (44.3 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1024x768"x120.1  133.47  1024 1100 1212 1400  768 768 770 794 doublescan -hsync +vsync (95.3 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1024x768"x60.0   65.00  1024 1048 1184 1344  768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync (48.4 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "960x720"x120.0  117.00  960 1024 1128 1300  720 720 722 750 doublescan -hsync +vsync (90.0 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "928x696"x120.1  109.15  928 976 1088 1264  696 696 698 719 doublescan -hsync +vsync (86.4 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "896x672"x120.0  102.40  896 960 1060 1224  672 672 674 697 doublescan -hsync +vsync (83.7 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1024x576"x119.9   98.50  1024 1092 1200 1376  576 577 580 597 doublescan -hsync +vsync (71.6 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1024x576"x119.9   78.38  1024 1048 1064 1104  576 577 580 592 doublescan +hsync -vsync (71.0 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1024x576"x59.9   46.50  1024 1064 1160 1296  576 579 584 599 -hsync +vsync (35.9 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "1024x576"x59.8   42.00  1024 1072 1104 1184  576 579 584 593 +hsync -vsync (35.5 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "960x600"x119.9   96.62  960 1028 1128 1296  600 601 604 622 doublescan -hsync +vsync (74.6 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "960x600"x120.0   77.00  960 984 1000 1040  600 601 604 617 doublescan +hsync -vsync (74.0 kHz d)
[   405.269] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "960x540"x119.9   86.50  960 1024 1124 1288  540 541 544 560 doublescan -hsync +vsync (67.2 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "960x540"x120.0   69.25  960 984 1000 1040  540 541 544 555 doublescan +hsync -vsync (66.6 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "960x540"x59.6   40.75  960 992 1088 1216  540 543 548 562 -hsync +vsync (33.5 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "960x540"x59.8   37.25  960 1008 1040 1120  540 543 548 556 +hsync -vsync (33.3 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "800x600"x120.0   81.00  800 832 928 1080  600 600 602 625 doublescan +hsync +vsync (75.0 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "800x600"x60.3   40.00  800 840 968 1056  600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync (37.9 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "800x600"x56.2   36.00  800 824 896 1024  600 601 603 625 +hsync +vsync (35.2 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "840x525"x120.0   73.12  840 892 980 1120  525 526 529 544 doublescan -hsync +vsync (65.3 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "840x525"x119.8   59.50  840 864 880 920  525 526 529 540 doublescan +hsync -vsync (64.7 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "864x486"x59.9   32.50  864 888 968 1072  486 489 494 506 -hsync +vsync (30.3 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "864x486"x59.6   30.50  864 912 944 1024  486 489 494 500 +hsync -vsync (29.8 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "800x512"x120.3   51.56  800 800 828 832  512 512 514 515 doublescan +hsync +vsync (62.0 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "700x525"x120.0   61.00  700 744 820 940  525 526 532 541 doublescan +hsync +vsync (64.9 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "800x450"x119.9   59.12  800 848 928 1056  450 451 454 467 doublescan -hsync +vsync (56.0 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "800x450"x119.6   48.75  800 824 840 880  450 451 454 463 doublescan +hsync -vsync (55.4 kHz d)
[   405.274] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "640x512"x120.0   54.00  640 664 720 844  512 512 514 533 doublescan +hsync +vsync (64.0 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "720x450"x119.8   53.25  720 760 836 952  450 451 454 467 doublescan -hsync +vsync (55.9 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "700x450"x119.9   51.75  700 740 812 924  450 451 456 467 doublescan -hsync +vsync (56.0 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "700x450"x119.8   43.25  700 724 740 780  450 451 456 463 doublescan +hsync -vsync (55.4 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "640x480"x120.0   54.00  640 688 744 900  480 480 482 500 doublescan +hsync +vsync (60.0 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "640x480"x59.9   25.18  640 656 752 800  480 490 492 525 -hsync -vsync (31.5 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "720x405"x59.5   22.50  720 744 808 896  405 408 413 422 -hsync +vsync (25.1 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "720x405"x59.0   21.75  720 768 800 880  405 408 413 419 +hsync -vsync (24.7 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "684x384"x119.8   42.62  684 720 788 892  384 385 390 399 doublescan -hsync +vsync (47.8 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "684x384"x119.7   36.12  684 708 724 764  384 385 390 395 doublescan +hsync -vsync (47.3 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "680x384"x119.6   42.38  680 716 784 888  384 385 390 399 doublescan -hsync +vsync (47.7 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "680x384"x119.9   36.00  680 704 720 760  384 385 390 395 doublescan +hsync -vsync (47.4 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "640x400"x119.8   41.75  640 676 740 840  400 401 404 415 doublescan -hsync +vsync (49.7 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "640x400"x120.0   35.50  640 664 680 720  400 401 404 411 doublescan +hsync -vsync (49.3 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "576x432"x120.1   40.81  576 608 668 760  432 432 434 447 doublescan -hsync +vsync (53.7 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "640x360"x119.7   37.25  640 672 736 832  360 361 364 374 doublescan -hsync +vsync (44.8 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "640x360"x119.7   31.88  640 664 680 720  360 361 364 370 doublescan +hsync -vsync (44.3 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "640x360"x59.8   18.00  640 664 720 800  360 363 368 376 -hsync +vsync (22.5 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "640x360"x59.3   17.75  640 688 720 800  360 363 368 374 +hsync -vsync (22.2 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "512x384"x120.0   32.50  512 524 592 672  384 385 388 403 doublescan -hsync -vsync (48.4 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "512x288"x120.0   23.25  512 532 580 648  288 289 292 299 doublescan -hsync +vsync (35.9 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "512x288"x119.8   21.00  512 536 552 592  288 289 292 296 doublescan +hsync -vsync (35.5 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "480x270"x119.3   20.38  480 496 544 608  270 271 274 281 doublescan -hsync +vsync (33.5 kHz d)
[   405.275] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "480x270"x119.6   18.62  480 504 520 560  270 271 274 278 doublescan +hsync -vsync (33.3 kHz d)
[   405.276] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "400x300"x120.6   20.00  400 420 484 528  300 300 302 314 doublescan +hsync +vsync (37.9 kHz d)
[   405.276] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "400x300"x112.7   18.00  400 412 448 512  300 300 301 312 doublescan +hsync +vsync (35.2 kHz d)
[   405.276] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "432x243"x119.8   16.25  432 444 484 536  243 244 247 253 doublescan -hsync +vsync (30.3 kHz d)
[   405.276] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "432x243"x119.1   15.25  432 456 472 512  243 244 247 250 doublescan +hsync -vsync (29.8 kHz d)
[   405.276] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "320x240"x120.1   12.59  320 328 376 400  240 245 246 262 doublescan -hsync -vsync (31.5 kHz d)
[   405.276] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "360x202"x119.0   11.25  360 372 404 448  202 204 206 211 doublescan -hsync +vsync (25.1 kHz d)
[   405.276] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "360x202"x118.3   10.88  360 384 400 440  202 204 206 209 doublescan +hsync -vsync (24.7 kHz d)
[   405.276] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "320x180"x119.7    9.00  320 332 360 400  180 181 184 188 doublescan -hsync +vsync (22.5 kHz d)
[   405.276] (II) modeset(0): Modeline "320x180"x118.6    8.88  320 344 360 400  180 181 184 187 doublescan +hsync -vsync (22.2 kHz d)
[   405.289] (II) modeset(0): EDID for output VGA-1
[   405.289] (II) modeset(0): Output LVDS-1 connected
[   405.289] (II) modeset(0): Output VGA-1 disconnected
[   405.289] (II) modeset(0): Using exact sizes for initial modes
[   405.289] (II) modeset(0): Output LVDS-1 using initial mode 1366x768 +0+0
[   405.289] (==) modeset(0): Using gamma correction (1.0, 1.0, 1.0)
[   405.289] (==) modeset(0): DPI set to (96, 96)
[   405.289] (II) Loading sub module "fb"
[   405.289] (II) LoadModule: "fb"
[   405.290] (II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/libfb.so
[   405.290] (II) Module fb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
[   405.290]  compiled for 1.20.10, module version = 1.0.0
[   405.290]  ABI class: X.Org ANSI C Emulation, version 0.4
[   405.290] (II) UnloadModule: "fbdev"
[   405.290] (II) Unloading fbdev
[   405.290] (II) UnloadSubModule: "fbdevhw"
[   405.290] (II) Unloading fbdevhw
[   405.291] (II) UnloadModule: "vesa"
[   405.291] (II) Unloading vesa
[   405.291] Require OpenGL version 2.1 or later.
[   405.291] (EE) modeset(0): Failed to initialize glamor at ScreenInit() time.
[   405.291] (EE)
Fatal server error:
[   405.291] (EE) AddScreen/ScreenInit failed for driver 0
[   405.291] (EE)
[   405.292] (EE)
Please consult the The X.Org Foundation support
  at http://wiki.x.org
 for help.
[   405.292] (EE) Please also check the log file at "/var/lib/gdm3/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log" for additional information.
[   405.292] (EE)
[   405.324] (EE) Server terminated with error (1). Closing log file.
RECOVERY MODE:

I can go into recovery mode via the GRUB menu but it halts with a message saying that it can't give me a consol because the root account is locked. After urging me to press enter, it then goes back to the default mode, which just gives me a black screen and blinking cursor again.

JOURNALCTL -XB

Code:
┌──(kali㉿kali)-[~]
└─$ journalctl -xb
Hint: You are currently not seeing messages from other users and the system.
      Users in groups 'adm', 'systemd-journal' can see all messages.
      Pass -q to turn off this notice.
-- Journal begins at Sun 2021-01-10 21:14:53 GMT, ends at Wed 2021-01-13 14:48:>
Jan 13 14:47:49 kali systemd[728]: gpgconf: error running '/usr/lib/gnupg/scdae>
Jan 13 14:47:52 kali systemd-xdg-autostart-generator[741]: Exec binary 'xcape' >
Jan 13 14:47:52 kali systemd-xdg-autostart-generator[741]: Not generating servi>
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Queued start job for default target Main Use>
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Created slice User Application Slice.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 11.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Reached target Paths.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 7.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Reached target Timers.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
lines 1-24...skipping...
-- Journal begins at Sun 2021-01-10 21:14:53 GMT, ends at Wed 2021-01-13 14:48:36 GMT. --
Jan 13 14:47:49 kali systemd[728]: gpgconf: error running '/usr/lib/gnupg/scdaemon': probably not installed
Jan 13 14:47:52 kali systemd-xdg-autostart-generator[741]: Exec binary 'xcape' does not exist: No such file or directory
Jan 13 14:47:52 kali systemd-xdg-autostart-generator[741]: Not generating service for XDG autostart app-xcape\x2dsuper\x2dkey\x2d>
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Queued start job for default target Main User Target.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Created slice User Application Slice.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 11.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Reached target Paths.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 7.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Reached target Timers.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 21.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Starting D-Bus User Message Bus Socket.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 15.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Listening on GnuPG network certificate management daemon.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 16.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Listening on GnuPG cryptographic agent and passphrase cache (access for web browsers).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 17.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Listening on GnuPG cryptographic agent and passphrase cache (restricted).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 14.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Listening on GnuPG cryptographic agent (ssh-agent emulation).
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 13.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Listening on GnuPG cryptographic agent and passphrase cache.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 10.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Listening on Multimedia System.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 19.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Listening on debconf communication socket.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 20.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Listening on Sound System.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 18.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Listening on D-Bus User Message Bus Socket.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 15.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Reached target Sockets.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 9.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Reached target Basic System.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 6.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Started Multimedia Service.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 25.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Starting Sound Service...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 22.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Starting Tracker metadata extractor...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 24.
Jan 13 14:47:53 kali systemd[723]: Starting Tracker file system data miner...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 23.
Jan 13 14:47:55 kali systemd[723]: Started D-Bus User Message Bus.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 28.
Jan 13 14:47:57 kali tracker-miner-f[746]: Set scheduler policy to SCHED_IDLE
Jan 13 14:47:57 kali tracker-miner-f[746]: Setting priority nice level to 19
Jan 13 14:47:57 kali tracker-extract[745]: Set scheduler policy to SCHED_IDLE
Jan 13 14:47:57 kali tracker-extract[745]: Setting priority nice level to 19
Jan 13 14:48:01 kali pipewire[743]: [W][000000455.975728][module-protocol-native.c:386 client_new()] server 0x6329e0: no peersec:>
Jan 13 14:48:01 kali pipewire[743]: [W][000000455.988446][module-protocol-native.c:386 client_new()] server 0x6329e0: no peersec:>
Jan 13 14:48:03 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Activating via systemd: service name='org.gtk.vfs.Daemon' unit=>
Jan 13 14:48:03 kali systemd[723]: Starting Virtual filesystem service...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 45.
Jan 13 14:48:04 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Successfully activated service 'org.gtk.vfs.Daemon'
Jan 13 14:48:04 kali systemd[723]: Started Virtual filesystem service.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 45.
Jan 13 14:48:04 kali tracker-miner-f[746]: Unable to get XDG user directory path for special directory &DOCUMENTS. Ignoring this >
Jan 13 14:48:04 kali tracker-miner-f[746]: Unable to get XDG user directory path for special directory &MUSIC. Ignoring this loca>
Jan 13 14:48:04 kali tracker-miner-f[746]: Unable to get XDG user directory path for special directory &PICTURES. Ignoring this l>
Jan 13 14:48:04 kali tracker-miner-f[746]: Unable to get XDG user directory path for special directory &VIDEOS. Ignoring this loc>
Jan 13 14:48:04 kali tracker-miner-f[746]: Unable to get XDG user directory path for special directory &DOWNLOAD. Ignoring this l>
Jan 13 14:48:04 kali tracker-miner-f[746]: Unable to get XDG user directory path for special directory &DOCUMENTS. Ignoring this >
Jan 13 14:48:04 kali tracker-miner-f[746]: Unable to get XDG user directory path for special directory &MUSIC. Ignoring this loca>
Jan 13 14:48:04 kali tracker-miner-f[746]: Unable to get XDG user directory path for special directory &PICTURES. Ignoring this l>
Jan 13 14:48:04 kali tracker-miner-f[746]: Unable to get XDG user directory path for special directory &VIDEOS. Ignoring this loc>
Jan 13 14:48:05 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Activating via systemd: service name='org.gtk.vfs.UDisks2Volume>
Jan 13 14:48:05 kali systemd[723]: Starting Virtual filesystem service - disk device monitor...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 62.
Jan 13 14:48:08 kali pulseaudio[744]: E: [pulseaudio] module.c: Failed to load module "module-alsa-card" (argument: "device_id="0>
Jan 13 14:48:09 kali systemd[723]: Started Sound Service.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 22.
Jan 13 14:48:10 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Successfully activated service 'org.gtk.vfs.UDisks2VolumeMonito>
Jan 13 14:48:10 kali systemd[723]: Started Virtual filesystem service - disk device monitor.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 62.
Jan 13 14:48:10 kali pipewire[770]: [E][000000465.004862][core.c:71 core_event_error()] core 0x2533df0: proxy 0x2566a30 id:4: bou>
Jan 13 14:48:10 kali pipewire[770]: [E][000000465.006965][media-session.c:1971 core_error()] error id:4 seq:4 res:-2 (No such fil>
Jan 13 14:48:11 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Activating via systemd: service name='org.gtk.vfs.AfcVolumeMoni>
Jan 13 14:48:11 kali systemd[723]: Starting Virtual filesystem service - Apple File Conduit monitor...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 79.
Jan 13 14:48:11 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Successfully activated service 'org.gtk.vfs.AfcVolumeMonitor'
Jan 13 14:48:11 kali systemd[723]: Started Virtual filesystem service - Apple File Conduit monitor.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 79.
Jan 13 14:48:11 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Activating via systemd: service name='org.gtk.vfs.GoaVolumeMoni>
Jan 13 14:48:11 kali pulseaudio[744]: E: [pulseaudio] bluez5-util.c: GetManagedObjects() failed: org.freedesktop.systemd1.NoSuchU>
Jan 13 14:48:11 kali systemd[723]: Starting Virtual filesystem service - GNOME Online Accounts monitor...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 96.
Jan 13 14:48:11 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Activating service name='org.gnome.OnlineAccounts' requested by>
Jan 13 14:48:15 kali goa-daemon[834]: goa-daemon version 3.38.0 starting
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Activating service name='org.gnome.Identity' requested by ':1.1>
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Successfully activated service 'org.gnome.OnlineAccounts'
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Successfully activated service 'org.gtk.vfs.GoaVolumeMonitor'
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali systemd[723]: Started Virtual filesystem service - GNOME Online Accounts monitor.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 96.
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Activating via systemd: service name='org.gtk.vfs.GPhoto2Volume>
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Successfully activated service 'org.gnome.Identity'
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali systemd[723]: Starting Virtual filesystem service - digital camera monitor...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 113.
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Successfully activated service 'org.gtk.vfs.GPhoto2VolumeMonito>
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali systemd[723]: Started Virtual filesystem service - digital camera monitor.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 113.
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Activating via systemd: service name='org.gtk.vfs.MTPVolumeMoni>
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali systemd[723]: Starting Virtual filesystem service - Media Transfer Protocol monitor...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 130.
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Successfully activated service 'org.gtk.vfs.MTPVolumeMonitor'
Jan 13 14:48:16 kali systemd[723]: Started Virtual filesystem service - Media Transfer Protocol monitor.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 130.
Jan 13 14:48:18 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Activating via systemd: service name='org.freedesktop.Tracker1'>
Jan 13 14:48:18 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Activating service name='org.freedesktop.thumbnails.Cache1' req>
Jan 13 14:48:18 kali systemd[723]: Starting Tracker metadata database store and lookup manager...
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has begun execution.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 147.
Jan 13 14:48:18 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Successfully activated service 'org.freedesktop.Tracker1'
Jan 13 14:48:18 kali systemd[723]: Started Tracker metadata database store and lookup manager.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 147.
Jan 13 14:48:18 kali systemd[723]: Started Tracker metadata extractor.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 24.
Jan 13 14:48:19 kali org.freedesktop.thumbnails.Cache1[881]: Registered thumbnailer evince-thumbnailer -s %s %u %o
Jan 13 14:48:19 kali org.freedesktop.thumbnails.Cache1[881]: Registered thumbnailer /usr/bin/gdk-pixbuf-thumbnailer -s %s %u %o
Jan 13 14:48:19 kali org.freedesktop.thumbnails.Cache1[881]: Registered thumbnailer atril-thumbnailer -s %s %u %o
Jan 13 14:48:19 kali org.freedesktop.thumbnails.Cache1[881]: Registered thumbnailer gsf-office-thumbnailer -i %i -o %o -s %s
Jan 13 14:48:20 kali org.freedesktop.thumbnails.Cache1[881]: Registered thumbnailer /usr/bin/totem-video-thumbnailer -s %s %u %o
Jan 13 14:48:20 kali org.freedesktop.thumbnails.Cache1[881]: Registered thumbnailer /usr/bin/gdk-pixbuf-thumbnailer -s %s %u %o
Jan 13 14:48:20 kali org.freedesktop.thumbnails.Cache1[881]: Registered thumbnailer gnome-thumbnail-font --size %s %u %o
Jan 13 14:48:20 kali dbus-daemon[752]: [session uid=1000 pid=752] Successfully activated service 'org.freedesktop.thumbnails.Cach>
Jan 13 14:48:20 kali systemd[723]: Started Tracker file system data miner.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 23.
Jan 13 14:48:20 kali systemd[723]: Reached target Main User Target.
░░ Subject: A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ A start job for unit UNIT has finished successfully.
░░
░░ The job identifier is 5.
Jan 13 14:48:20 kali systemd[723]: Startup finished in 31.999s.
░░ Subject: User manager start-up is now complete
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ The user manager instance for user 1000 has been started. All services queued
░░ for starting have been started. Note that other services might still be starting
░░ up or be started at any later time.
░░
░░ Startup of the manager took 31999948 microseconds.
Jan 13 14:48:23 kali sudo[894]: pam_unix(sudo:auth): Couldn't open /etc/securetty: No such file or directory
Jan 13 14:48:30 kali systemd[723]: tracker-extract.service: Succeeded.
░░ Subject: Unit succeeded
░░ Defined-By: systemd
░░ Support: https://www.debian.org/support
░░
░░ The unit UNIT has successfully entered the 'dead' state.
Jan 13 14:48:30 kali sudo[894]: pam_unix(sudo:auth): Couldn't open /etc/securetty: No such file or directory
Jan 13 14:48:30 kali sudo[894]:     kali : TTY=tty1 ; PWD=/home/kali ; USER=root ; COMMAND=/usr/sbin/service ssh start
Jan 13 14:48:30 kali sudo[894]: pam_unix(sudo:session): session opened for user root by kali(uid=1000)
Jan 13 14:48:36 kali sudo[894]: pam_unix(sudo:session): session closed for user root
WHAT I'VE TRIED:
1)

Tried this to get the system to start the desktop on boot:

Code:
sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target
Result:

Still getting the blinking cursor.

2)

System was hanging starting Network Manager so reinstalled it and got past the error.

3)

Reinstalled GRUB even though I get a grub splash page offering to start kali or kali with advanced options.

4)

Code:
sudo apt-get install -f gdm3
   sudo apt-get install gnome


FURTHER INVESTIGATION:

I'm stumped. Can anyone suggest a way forward or avenue of investigation?

thanks