Difference between revisions of "X configuration"

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Configuring X
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== Configuring X ==
  
In most cases the default X install on freekboxen will just work, but in some cases it needs some tweaking.  On all Debian systems since Sarge and 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.
 
  
==Hardy Heron==
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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.
All the following really does is run "dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg" but it is easier than typing it all out.
 
  
*Reboot the system
 
*press ESC when you see "Grub Loading"
 
*In the GRUB menu, choose the most recent "Recovery Mode" option
 
*When it boots to the recovery menu, choose "xfix"
 
*When it comes back to the recovery menu, choose "Resume normal boot"
 
  
==Dapper Drake==
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==Editing the configuration file==
(Free Geek Boxes only)
 
*In the GRUB menu, choose "Reconfigure video card and monitor"
 
  
==Freek Box 3==
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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.
*Log in to the text console as root
 
*run "magix"
 
*reboot
 
  
==Editing the configuration file==
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'''Don't edit this file unless you REALLY know what you are doing.'''
  
The X-windows system configuration information is kept in text files in /etc/X11In older freekboxen, this file is called /etc/X11/XF86Config-4, and in newer systems is /etc/X11/xorg.conf, but it is essentially the same file. Occasionally, the normal methods of configuring X fail and we need to edit the file directly.
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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 systemsThe 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>
  
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.
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Since this is file is blank you need only add the relevant section. Do not blindly add others.
  
Using [[nano]] or another command line editor as [[root]], you open up the file:
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You will need to test your changes by running
  
  nano -w /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 
+
  startx
 
or
 
or
  nano -w /etc/X11/xorg.conf
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  sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart  
 
 
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>.
 
 
 
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:
 
  
/etc/init.d/kdm restart  (for the FreekBox 3)
 
or
 
/etc/init.d/gdm restart  (for Ubuntu boxes)
 
  
 
If this doesn't work again, check the log file:
 
If this doesn't work again, check the log file:
  
less /var/log/XFree86.0.log
 
 
or
 
or
 
  less /var/log/Xorg.0.log
 
  less /var/log/Xorg.0.log
Line 49: Line 29:
 
and try again.
 
and try again.
  
<!--
 
You can ask X to attempt to configure itself, with this command
 
X -configure
 
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:
 
X --xf86config XF86Config-4
 
This will produce a grey screen with a working mouse if it works.
 
 
For more information, type:
 
 
[[man]] XF86Config-4
 
 
at the command line.
 
-->
 
  
 
[[Category: Build]]
 
[[Category: Build]]
 
[[Category:Tech support]]
 
[[Category:Tech support]]

Revision as of 11:29, 24 January 2012

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.