To make is so that X does not start by default when the machine boots:
In /etc/inittab, the first line should be something like:
id:5:initdefault:
Change it to:
id:3:initdefault:
Now reboot.
The first says to boot the machine into runlevel 5 (running X); the
second says to boot it into runlevel 3, multiuser mode without X. When
you login, just run the startx command that Brandon gave you.
E
On Mon, 12 Nov 2001, Phil Suh wrote:
>
> Thanks for all the replies.
>
> I'm using XFree86 4.0.1 on Mandrake 8.1
>
> My Xconfigurator was incorrectly sym-linked on install to
> /usr/X11/sbin/XFdrake, which didn't exist.
>
> I fixed it to point to /usr/sbin/XFdrake.
>
> I run XFdrake. oooh. pretty UI. Well, I try to change to a higher video
> mode, and then I go to test. I get the grey-background and 'x' cursor,
> but that's it. I don't know how to kill X at this point, so I kill the
> power. Bad, yes, I know. I do this a couple times. You know, just to make
> sure.
>
> I finally get back to this mail list, and read the advice.
>
> I look at my /etc/X11/XF86Config-4. MY monitor is set to a Sony. I have a
> Viewsonic. This makes sense however, cause I installed on a Sony. I switch
> to the proper Viewsonic monitor.
>
> I run XFdrake again, and this time I don't test.
>
> I reboot.
>
> New monitor resolution! whoo!
>
> LESSONS
>
>
> So, when I do the XFdrake test, sometimes I'd get an error, (cant find
> font?) but mostly Id go off into this grey-screen generic X with a cursor
> but no apps or anything, and I just didn't know how to get out.
>
> The config file wasnt that scary, but I did not have to hand-edit it. I
> used XFdrake to change the monitor.
>
> Best advice so far has contained keystroke commands for X:
>
> Killing X: Ctrl-Alt-F1, Ctrl-Alt-Backspace
> Cycling Video Modes: Ctrl-Alt-plus or Ctrl-Alt-minus
>
> Start X with this command?:
> startx -- -nolisten tcp -bpp 32 2>&1 | tee $HOME/.X-log
>
> Note: X starts up on bootup. I have no idea how to start it from the
> command line...
>
> Phil
>
>
> On Mon, 12 Nov 2001, Brandon Harris wrote:
>
> > On Mon, 12 Nov 2001, Erik Curiel wrote:
> >
> > > The real man's (or woman's) way is to use the xf86config app. This will
> > > earn you respect. The real hardcore geek's way is to edit the XF86Config
> > > file by hand (it's in /etc/X11---read the man file). This will earn you
> > > undying glory and several ulcers.
> >
> > Bah. That's for pansies, too.
> >
> > The *REAL* man's way to do it is edit the /etc/X11/XF86Config
> > file by hand. In my day, you had to figure out your modelines
> > yourself.
> >
> > And I'm not kidding.
> >
> > On with the show:
> >
> > (Different distros put the XF86Config file in different locations.
> > Typically this is /etc/X11/XF86Config in most Linuxen; Mandrake
> > *does* put it there. If you are running XF86 4.0, the file
> > is named /etc/X11/XF86Config-4)
> >
> > Chances are you already have the resolution modes you need
> > *defined* in the XF86Config file; they just need to be
> > added to the available resolution list for your card. You
> > can check to see that the mode is there by opening the file
> > and looking for lines like this:
> >
> > ModeLine "1024x768" 65.00 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777
> > 806 -hsync -vsync
> >
> > (on one line - this is for 1024 x 768 @ 65h.).
> >
> > You can write your own modelines if you like, but I wouldn't do
> > that just yet, because:
> >
> > IF YOU PUSH YOUR MONITOR PAST THE LIMITS IT CAN HANDLE IN THE
> > VERTICAL SYNC RANGE IT *WILL* DESTROY ITSELF.
> >
> > THIS IS NOT A JOKE.
> >
> > That said. . .
> >
> > Go down to where you see the "Device" sections. You're
> > looking for the one with your video card. For example, if you
> > have an ATI Mach64, it will say:
> >
> > Identifier "ATI Mach64"
> >
> > There are bunch of other lines that are pointless for our
> > purposes (such as VendorName and BoardName), but make sure that
> > you have "Chipset" and "VideoRam" commented out (the server
> > will auto-probe those.
> >
> > Now, go to the "Screen" section that uses the Device "your
> > video card". You'll see lots of 'Subsection "Display"' areas.
> > Each one of these corresponds to a basic color depth. Chances
> > are you are loading X at 16 or 32 bits per pixel; with a shitty
> > card it may default to 8, and I don't know of any reason why
> > you would use 15 or 24, but it is possible. Either way, there
> > are lines that say this:
> >
> > Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
> >
> > This is the list of the resolutions you have in order. You
> > can cyle through them at any time with <CONTROL><ALT><PLUS> or
> > <CONTROL><ALT><MINUS>. In this instance, the server loads
> > to 1280x1024 and then can be switched to the others.
> >
> > You can switch the order of the modes or add new ones.
> >
> > Very simple.
> >
> > Once you're done, do not be stupid and just start your X
> > session. Test it, first:
> >
> > X --probeonly
> >
> > If there are no errors, fire up X however your normally
> > do (startx -- -nolisten tcp -bpp 32 2>&1 | tee $HOME/.X-log)
> > but keep your fingers over <CONTROL><ALT><BACKSPACE>. If
> > you hear the monitor start whining, press them immediately
> > (C-A-B instantly slays an X Server unless you have foolishly
> > added the DontZap line to the config file).
> >
> > I have my old X site archived if you want to download it;
> > it has a much more in depth tutorial about configuring these
> > things.
> >
> >
> > _____________________________________________b r a n d o n h a r r i s___
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.gaijin.com
> >
> >
>
> GPG [ Key Id: 0x1E766390 | http://filsa.net/about/keys ]
>
>
>
>
--
Erik Curiel
Sometime Web Engineer/Almost Philosopher
"The affairs of human beings are not worthy of great seriousness,
and yet we must take them seriously."
---Plato, *The Laws*
