Slackware Linux Essentials
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Chapter 6 X Configuration

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Table of Contents
6.1 xorgconfig
6.2 xorgsetup
6.3 xinitrc
6.4 xwmconfig
6.5 xdm

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Starting with Slackware-10.0, the X Window environment in Slackware is provided by -Xorg. X is responsible for providing a graphical user interface. It is independent from -the operating system, unlike Windows or the MacOS.

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The X Window System is implemented through many programs that run in userland. The two -main components are the server and the window manager. The server provides the lowlevel -functions for interacting with your video hardware, thus it is system specific. The -window manager sits on top of the server and provides the user interface. The advantage -to this is you can have many different graphical interfaces by simply changing the window -manager you use.

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Configuring X can be a complex task. The reason for this is the vast numbers of video -cards available for the PC architecture, most of which use different programming -interfaces. Luckily, most cards today support basic video standards known as VESA, and if -your card is among them you'll be able to start X using the startx command right out of the box.

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If this doesn't work with your card, or if you'd like to take advantage of the -high-performance features of your video card such as hardware acceleration or 3-D -hardware rendering, then you'll need to reconfigure X.

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To configure X, you'll need to make an /etc/X11/xorg.conf -file. This file contains lots of details about your video hardware, mouse, and monitor. -It's a very complex configuration file, but fortunately there are several programs to -help create one for you. We'll mention a few of them here.

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6.1 `xorgconfig`

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This is a simple menu driven frontend that's similar in feel to the Slackware -installer. It simply tells the X server to take a look at the card, and then set up the -best initial configuration file it can make based on the information it gathers. The -generated /etc/X11/xorg.conf file should be a good starting -point for most systems (and should work without modification).

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This is a text-based X configuration program that's designed for the advanced system -administrator. Here's a sample walkthrough using xorgconfig. -First, start the program:

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-# xorgconfig
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This will present a screenful of information about xorgconfig. To continue, press ENTER. -xorgconfig will ask you to verify you have set your PATH correctly. It should be fine, so go ahead and hit ENTER.

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Figure 6-1. xorgconfig Mouse Configuration

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Select your mouse from the menu presented. If you don't see your serial mouse listed, -pick the Microsoft protocol -- it's the most common and will probably work. Next xorgconfig will ask you about using ChordMiddle and Emulate3Buttons. You'll -see these options described in detail on the screen. Use them if the middle button on -your mouse doesn't work under X, or if your mouse only has two buttons (Emulate3Buttons lets you simulate the middle button by pressing both -buttons simultaneously). Then, enter the name of your mouse device. The default choice, -/dev/mouse, should work since the link was configured during -Slackware setup. If you're running GPM (the Linux mouse server) in repeater mode, you can -set your mouse type to /dev/gpmdata to have X get information -about the mouse through gpm. In some cases (with busmice -especially) this can work better, but most users shouldn't do this.

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xorgconfig will ask you about enabling special key bindings. -If you need this say “y”. Most users can say -“n” -- enter this if you're not sure.

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Figure 6-2. xorgconfig Horizontal Sync

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In the next section you enter the sync range for your monitor. To start configuring -your monitor, press ENTER. You will see a list of monitor -types -- choose one of them. Be careful not to exceed the specifications of your monitor. -Doing so could damage your hardware.

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Figure 6-3. xorgconfig Vertical Sync

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Specify the vertical sync range for your monitor (you should find this in the manual -for the monitor). xorgconfig will ask you to enter strings to identify the monitor type -in the xorg.conf file. Enter anything you like on these 3 lines -(including nothing at all).

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Figure 6-4. xorgconfig Video Card

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Now you have the opportunity to look at the database of video card types. You'll want -to do this, so say “y”, and select a card from -the list shown. If you don't see your exact card, try selecting one that uses the same -chipset and it will probably work fine.

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Next, tell xorgconfig how much RAM you have on your video -card. xorgconfig will want you to enter some more descriptive -text about your video card. If you like, you can enter descriptions on these three -lines.

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You'll then be asked which display resolutions you want to use. Again, going with the -provided defaults should be fine to start with. Later on, you can edit the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file and rearrange the modes so 1024x768 (or -whatever mode you like) is the default.

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At this point, the xorgconfig program will ask if you'd like -to save the current configuration file. Answer yes, and the X configuration file is -saved, completing the setup process. You can start X now with the startx command.

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Network File Systems		`xorgsetup`

Chapter 6 X Configuration

6.1 xorgconfig

6.1 `xorgconfig`