I'd first check that your .xinitrc is executable.
Failing that:
http://www.cygwin.com/problems.html
dc wrote:
Simple Question: How do I get a "gnome-session" to always start when I
"startx".
I have set my path to include the x11/bin.
I have made an "~/.xinitrc" file containing "exec gnome-session" line.
When I launch a cygwin terminal, and type: "startx" all I get is the
default window manager [I think]. Strangely, I was able to launch a
gnome session in this way, but only once! After I quit X11 i was never
able to see a gnome session start with x11.
Help would be appreciated. If you need more specs, please specify.
Cheers,
Dave