Attempting vnc connection results in gray screen with X mouse cursor.

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Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop or Server
Remote access enabled in YaST-->Network Services-->Remote Administration (VNC)

Situation

Remote Administration (VNC) enabled in YaST on a SUSU Linux Enterprise Server or Desktop 11 SP1 system. Attempting to connect through a VNC client on either Windows or another SUSE Linux system, a gray screen would be displayed with a X mouse cursor.

Resolution

In the /etc/hosts file, the entry for 127.0.0.1 looked like this:

127.0.0.1 null

It should normally look similar to this:

127.0.0.1 localhost <hostname>
(the <hostname> would be the actual hostname for this system)

Fixed the /etc/hosts entry and it started working perfectly.

Disclaimer

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