Since some time between Alpha3 and Alpha4 X is unable to load evdev_drv at gdm startup time. The relevant error message is:
(EE) config/hal: couldn't initialise context: (null) ((null))
If gdm is later restarted, everything works fine, so this appears to be a race between hal / dbus startup and gdm / X startup.
Description: Ubuntu intrepid (development branch)
Release: 8.10
hal:
Installed: 0.5.11-3~ubuntu7
Candidate: 0.5.11-3~ubuntu7
Version table:
*** 0.5.11-3~ubuntu7 0
500 http://archive.ubuntu.com intrepid/main Packages
100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
xserver-xorg-input-evdev:
Installed: 1:2.0.3-2
Candidate: 1:2.0.3-2
Version table:
*** 1:2.0.3-2 0
500 http://archive.ubuntu.com intrepid/main Packages
100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
I am tempted to put a delay into the gdm startup to test whether this resolves the issue.
One effect of this (timing) issue is, that any attempt to enter user/pass at the non-functional gdm login screen followed by a GDM restart will display user and password in the clear on vt7 while X moves to vt8. Without evdev present the input goes to the vt7 and when X no longer displays on this vt...