Difference between revisions of "X configuration"

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m (XF86Config moved to X configuration: XF86 no longer used. We need a more general page.)
 
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== Configuring X ==
  
  
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==Overview of contents==
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In most cases the default X install on freekboxen will just work, but in some cases it needs some tweaking.  On Ubuntu systems, you can use "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg" from a root terminal to reconfigure the X server, but there are also several easier methods depending on the exact distribution.
  
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The /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file holds configuration information for the XF86 windowing system.  This includes information on the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and video card, as well as some special options for resolution, fancy graphics display, and multi-headed systems.  The file is broken up into sections such as <code>"InputDevice"</code> for mice and keyboards, <code>"Monitor"</code> for monitors, and just plain <code>"Device"</code> for video cards themselves.  The <code>"Screen"</code> section has meta information about combining all the pieces together correctly.
 
  
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We are going to have to deal with this file most often because [[magix]] somehow fails to create it correctly.  In these situations, we need to make small tweaks to fix things.
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==Editing the configuration file==
  
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==How to edit the file==
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The X-windows system configuration information was previously kept in text files in /etc/X11 in a file /etc/X11/xorg.conf. This file is now intentionally blank as X will auto-configure. Very occasionally, the normal methods of configuring X fail and we need to edit/create the file directly.
  
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Using [[nano]] or another command line editor as [[root]], you open up the file:
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'''Don't edit this file unless you REALLY know what you are doing.'''
  
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  nano -w /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
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<del>This file includes information on the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and video card, as well as some special options for resolution, fancy graphics display, and multi-headed systems. The file is broken up into sections such as <code>"InputDevice"</code> for mice and keyboards, <code>"Monitor"</code> for monitors, and just plain <code>"Device"</code> for video cards themselves.  The <code>"Screen"</code> section has meta information about combining all the pieces together correctly.</del>
  
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Then you'll need to look for what you have to change.  One common change is the video [[driver]], for instance from <code>"nvidia"</code> to <code>"nv"</code> (closed source to open source drivers for nVidia cards).  Look through the file until you find the <code>"Device"</code> section, and change the value of the <code>Driver</code> line to match the correct driver. Another common change is the default color depth, which is under the <code>"Screen"</code> section, on a line labeled <code>DefaultDepth</code>.
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Since this is file is blank you need only add the relevant section. Do not blindly add others.
  
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Make your changes and save the file, then quit out of the editor.  As root, you'll want to try to start X again, which you accomplish by:
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You will need to test your changes by running
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startx
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or
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sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart  
  
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/etc/init.d/kdm restart
 
  
 
If this doesn't work again, check the log file:
 
If this doesn't work again, check the log file:
  
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  less /var/log/XFree86.0.log
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or
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  less /var/log/Xorg.0.log
  
 
and try again.
 
and try again.
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You can ask X to attempt to configure itself, with this command
 
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X -configure
 
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It saves the XF86Config-4 file in the local directory, so you'll need to move it, or tell X to work with it. For example, you can try your local XF86Config-4 file with this command:
 
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X --xf86config XF86Config-4
 
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This will produce a grey screen with a working mouse if it works.
 
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For more information, type:
 
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[[man]] XF86Config-4
 
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at the command line.
 
  
  
 
[[Category: Build]]
 
[[Category: Build]]
 
[[Category:Tech support]]
 
[[Category:Tech support]]
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[[Category:Needs updating]]

Latest revision as of 16:57, 19 October 2013

Configuring X

In most cases the default X install on freekboxen will just work, but in some cases it needs some tweaking. On Ubuntu systems, you can use "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg" from a root terminal to reconfigure the X server, but there are also several easier methods depending on the exact distribution.


Editing the configuration file

The X-windows system configuration information was previously kept in text files in /etc/X11 in a file /etc/X11/xorg.conf. This file is now intentionally blank as X will auto-configure. Very occasionally, the normal methods of configuring X fail and we need to edit/create the file directly.

Don't edit this file unless you REALLY know what you are doing.

This file includes information on the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and video card, as well as some special options for resolution, fancy graphics display, and multi-headed systems. The file is broken up into sections such as "InputDevice" for mice and keyboards, "Monitor" for monitors, and just plain "Device" for video cards themselves. The "Screen" section has meta information about combining all the pieces together correctly.

Since this is file is blank you need only add the relevant section. Do not blindly add others.

You will need to test your changes by running 

startx

or 

sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart


If this doesn't work again, check the log file:

or 

less /var/log/Xorg.0.log

and try again.

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