Difference between revisions of "X configuration"

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(a beginning. need to put in dpkg-reconfigure and the other ways to configure X)
 
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== Configuring X ==
The X-windows system configuration information is kept in text files in /etc/X11.  In 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.
 
  
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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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.
  
==How to edit the file==
 
  
Occasionally, the normal methods of configuring X fail and we need to edit the file directly.
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==Editing the configuration file==
  
Using [[nano]] or another command line editor as [[root]], you open up 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.
  
  nano -w /etc/X11/XF86Config-4  
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'''Don't edit this file unless you REALLY know what you are doing.'''
or
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nano -w /etc/X11/xorg.conf
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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>
  
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.
  
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
  
  /etc/init.d/kdm restart  (for the FreekBox 3)
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  startx
 
or
 
or
  /etc/init.d/gdm restart  (for Ubuntu boxes)
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  sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart   
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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 31: 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]]
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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.