Lloyd, When I was learning to install and configure FreeBSD for the first year or so I always defaulted to using /stand/sysinstall. This allows you to configure your input devices (mouse and keyboard), video card, and choose the desktop you would like to use (Gnome/KDE).
If you are using a system in which you installed from CD and have not done any port upgrade magic I would recommend that method to getting started. Curtis On Wed, 16 Jun 2004 22:14:06 -0600, Lloyd Hayes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >How are you trying to start X Windows? If you're just expecting it to > start, you're going to end up disappointed. > > Oops... > I was expecting the graphical desktop to start automatically. However I > also tried startx, and I played with xdm. Whatever I was doing kept > coming up with errors about no screen. > > Lloyd Hayes > > Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > URL: http://TalkingStaff.bravehost.com > E-FAX Number: (208) 248-6590 > Web Journal: http://lloyd_hayes.bravejournal.com/ > > > > > Matt Navarre wrote: > > > > > > > Lloyd Hayes wrote: > > > >> I have been told that the reason that I don't have a graphic desktop > >> yet is because my XFree86 Server is not configured right. I finally > >> downloaded the exact specs on my old laptop from Gateway and plugged > >> them into the configure file. No help. > >> I tried each of the 4 configure methods from the menu. No good, nor > >> does the graphics menu work any more. > >> I have attempted to switch from KDE to Gnome, to Windowmaker. Again, > >> no good. > > > > > > How are you trying to start X Windows? If you're just expecting it to > > start, you're going to end up disappointed. > > > > To start X you need to either type startx at the command prompt or > > edit /etc/ttys to start xdm (or kdm or gdm) on the console. > > > > here's the handbook page on configuring xdm to start after boot: > > http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/x-xdm.html > > > > Generally the step in section 5.6.2 is all you need to do, the rest is > > advanced options that you needn't be concerned with at this point. > > This info applies to kdm and gdm (KDE Display Manager and Gnome > > Display Manager, respectively) > > > > To get your desired desktop to start you need to put the command to > > start it in $HOME/.xinitrc(for startx) or $HOME/.xsession(for xdm). To > > get KDE started (assuming it's installed) just type > > 'echo startkde >> .xinitrc' at the prompt. Assuming you're at the text > > console type 'startx'. KDE should start. > > > > > >> I have tried several other things such as the one below: > >> > >> # cd /usr/ports/x11/XFree86-4 > >> # make install clean > >> > >> It then suggests that I 'make reinstall' or 'make deinstall'. I tried > >> reinstall first with it then suggesting that I 'make reinstall' again > >> or 'make deinstall'. > >> > >> # make deinstall > >> > >> # cd /usr/ports/x11/XFree86-4 > >> # make install clean > >> > >> While this seemed to install ok, it was still no help. I'm still > >> stuck with line item commands. > >> > >> When executing afterwards: XFree86 -configure I get: Fatal Server Error > >> xf86EnableIO: Failed to open /dev/io for extended I/O > > > > > > Hmm, are you doing this as root? You need to be. Another alternative, > > if you have the specs for your monitor and video card, is > > /usr/X11R6/bin/xf86config. It'll ask you questions about your setup > > and generate a config file based on what you tell it. Try that, and if > > you still have problems post your config file and relevant log > > messages to the list, and we'll try to help. > > > >> > >> Log says the same thing. > >> > >> Any ideas? > >> > > > _______________________________________________ > [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list > http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions > To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" > _______________________________________________ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list http://lists.freebsd.org/mailman/listinfo/freebsd-questions To unsubscribe, send any mail to "[EMAIL PROTECTED]"