Rasperry Pi 2 won't startx, and how can I tell if the Pi is

[Tadpo]

I've connected to my Laptop running w7 via usb to serial cable using Putty. The Pi boots up, lets me log in, then when I type "startx", it seems to shut down, as it won't respond to any further commands. How can I tell if Rasbian is still running or not? Why can't I get x started? This is the first time firing this thing up. (I am a complete noob) Thanks!

[xoopha]

SSH connections are console only. If you want to use the desktop you'll have to either use the Pi directly or use the LAN, install x11vnc on the Pi, run it when the X session starts and connect through a VNC client on your laptop.

[Tadpo]

OK, thank you. I didn't realize that.
Is there a way to tell if Raspbian, (or any OS) is running while connected via SSH? It stops responding to commands, but I know that unplugging the power while the OS is running can corrupt the sd card. So how do I know if its safe to unplug it? And why would it shut down or stop responding to commands when I try to startx? Seems like it oughta come back with "startx not available" or something.

[B.Goode]

why would it shut down or stop responding to commands when I try to startx?

Maybe it is simply waiting for some response from the non-existent display, which never arrives? Have you tried interrupting/killing the process by using Ctrl-C at the keyboard to try to regain control? [That's press and hold the Control key, and while doing that press the letter 'C' ] That's a standard linux way of stopping a program from running.

[Tadpo]

Thank you, that helps. 'ppreciate it!

[Fpaezcom]

Same here!, pi boots but startx does nothing. I do a fresh Raspbian installation and get same error. Changed the sdcard and nothing. Any fix???

[B.Goode]

Same here!... Any fix???

If the problem is the same, the solution is the same.