/[gentoo]/xml/htdocs/doc/en/xorg-config.xml

Diff of /xml/htdocs/doc/en/xorg-config.xml

Parent Directory | Revision Log | View Patch Patch

Revision 1.3		Revision 1.22
1	<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>	1	<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
2		2
3	<!-- $Header: /var/cvsroot/gentoo/xml/htdocs/doc/en/xorg-config.xml,v 1.3 2004/05/29 08:52:16 swift Exp $ -->	3	<!-- $Header: /var/cvsroot/gentoo/xml/htdocs/doc/en/xorg-config.xml,v 1.22 2007/06/09 12:40:12 jkt Exp $ -->
4		4
5	<!DOCTYPE guide SYSTEM "/dtd/guide.dtd">	5	<!DOCTYPE guide SYSTEM "/dtd/guide.dtd">
6		6
7	<guide link="/doc/en/xorg-config.xml">	7	<guide link="/doc/en/xorg-config.xml">
8		8
…		…
17	environment at their fingertips. This HOWTO explains what Xorg is, how to	17	environment at their fingertips. This HOWTO explains what Xorg is, how to
18	install it and what the various configuration options are.	18	install it and what the various configuration options are.
19	</abstract>	19	</abstract>
20		20
21	<!-- The content of this document is licensed under the CC-BY-SA license -->	21	<!-- The content of this document is licensed under the CC-BY-SA license -->
22	<!-- See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0 -->	22	<!-- See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5 -->
23	<license/>	23	<license/>
24		24
25	<version>1.2</version>	25	<version>1.16</version>
26	<date>May 29, 2004</date>	26	<date>2007-06-09</date>
27		27
28	<chapter>	28	<chapter>
29	<title>What is the X Window Server?</title>	29	<title>What is the X Window Server?</title>
30	<section>	30	<section>
31	<title>Graphical vs Command-Line</title>	31	<title>Graphical vs Command-Line</title>
…		…
46	a powerful tool that fully enables the graphical abilities of your workstation.	46	a powerful tool that fully enables the graphical abilities of your workstation.
47	</p>	47	</p>
48		48
49	<p>	49	<p>
50	As standards are important, a standard for drawing and moving windows on a	50	As standards are important, a standard for drawing and moving windows on a
51	screen, interacting with the user through mouse and keyboard and other basic yet	51	screen, interacting with the user through mouse, keyboard and other basic, yet
52	important aspects has been created and named the <e>X Window System</e>,	52	important aspects has been created and named the <e>X Window System</e>,
53	commonly abbreviated as <e>X11</e> or just <e>X</e>. It is used on Unix, Linux	53	commonly abbreviated as <e>X11</e> or just <e>X</e>. It is used on Unix, Linux
54	and Unix-like operating systems throughout the world.	54	and Unix-like operating systems throughout the world.
55	</p>	55	</p>
56		56
57	<p>	57	<p>
58	The application that provides Linux users with the ability to run graphical	58	The application that provides Linux users with the ability to run graphical
59	user interfaces and that uses the X11 standard is Xorg-X11, a fork of	59	user interfaces and that uses the X11 standard is Xorg-X11, a fork of
60	the XFree86 project. XFree86 has decided to use a license that might not be	60	the XFree86 project. XFree86 has decided to use a license that might not be
61	compatible with the GPL license; the use of Xorg is therefore recommended. Note	61	compatible with the GPL license; the use of Xorg is therefore recommended.
62	though that the differences between Xorg and XFree86 are currently very slim; if	62	The official Portage tree does not provide an XFree86 package anymore.
63	you know one, you know the other. XFree86 versions prior to 4.4 are available
64	through Portage as well.
65	</p>	63	</p>
66		64
67	</body>	65	</body>
68	</section>	66	</section>
69	<section>	67	<section>
70	<title>The X.org Project</title>	68	<title>The X.org Project</title>
71	<body>	69	<body>
72		70
73	<p>	71	<p>
74	The <uri link="http://www.x.org">X.org</uri> project created and	72	The <uri link="http://www.x.org">X.org</uri> project created and
75	maintains a freely redistributable open-source implementation of the X11 system.	73	maintains a freely redistributable, open-source implementation of the X11
76	It is an open source X11-based desktop infrastructure.	74	system. It is an open source X11-based desktop infrastructure.
77	</p>	75	</p>
78		76
79	<p>	77	<p>
80	Xorg provides an interface between your hardware and the graphical software	78	Xorg provides an interface between your hardware and the graphical software
81	you want to run. Besides that, Xorg is also fully network-aware, meaning you	79	you want to run. Besides that, Xorg is also fully network-aware, meaning you
…		…
84	</p>	82	</p>
85		83
86	</body>	84	</body>
87	</section>	85	</section>
88	</chapter>	86	</chapter>
		87
89	<chapter>	88	<chapter>
90	<title>Installing Xorg</title>	89	<title>Installing Xorg</title>
91	<section>	90	<section>
92	<title>Using emerge</title>	91	<title>Using emerge</title>
93	<body>	92	<body>
…		…
96	Enough chitchat, let's get to business shall we? To install Xorg, you just	95	Enough chitchat, let's get to business shall we? To install Xorg, you just
97	need to run <c>emerge xorg-x11</c>. Installing Xorg does take a while	96	need to run <c>emerge xorg-x11</c>. Installing Xorg does take a while
98	though, so you might want to grab a snack while you are waiting.	97	though, so you might want to grab a snack while you are waiting.
99	</p>	98	</p>
100		99
		100	<p>
		101	Before installing Xorg you have to configure two important variables in the
		102	<path>/etc/make.conf</path> file.
		103	</p>
		104
		105	<p>
		106	The first one is <c>VIDEO_CARDS</c>. This is used to set the video drivers that
		107	you intend to use and is usually based on the kind and brand of card you have.
		108	The most common settings are <c>nvidia</c> for Nvidia cards or <c>fglrx</c> for
		109	ATI Radeon cards. Those are the proprietary drivers from Nvidia and ATI
		110	respectively. If you would like to use the open source versions, use <c>nv</c>
		111	rather than <c>nvidia</c> in the variable, but bear in mind that using this
		112	driver means no 3d acceleration at all. The free <c>radeon</c> driver for ATI
		113	cards supports full 3D acceleration on older Radeons but doesn't work at all
		114	with the newer ones. <c>VIDEO_CARDS</c> may contain more than one driver, in
		115	this case list of them should be separated with spaces.
		116	</p>
		117
		118	<p>
		119	The second variable is <c>INPUT_DEVICES</c> and is used to determine which
		120	drivers are to be built for input devices. In most cases setting it to
		121	<c>keyboard mouse</c> should work just fine.
		122	</p>
		123
		124	<p>
		125	Now you should decide which drivers you will use and add necessary settings to
		126	the <path>/etc/make.conf</path> file:
		127	</p>
		128
		129	<pre caption="Sample make.conf entries">
		130	<comment>(For mouse and keyboard support)</comment>
		131	INPUT_DEVICES="keyboard mouse"
		132	<comment>(For Nvidia cards)</comment>
		133	VIDEO_CARDS="nvidia"
		134	<comment>(OR, for ATI Radeon cards)</comment>
		135	VIDEO_CARDS="fglrx"
		136	</pre>
		137
		138	<p>
		139	More instructions on how to configure Nvidia and ATI cards can be found in
		140	<uri link="/doc/en/nvidia-guide.xml">Gentoo Linux nVidia Guide</uri> and in
		141	<uri link="/doc/en/ati-faq.xml">Gentoo Linux ATI FAQ</uri>. If you don't know
		142	which drivers you should choose, refer to these guides for more information.
		143	</p>
		144
		145	<note>
		146	If the suggested settings don't work for you, you should run <c>emerge -pv
		147	xorg-x11</c>, check all the options available and choose those which
		148	apply to your system. In different versions of Xorg and on different
		149	architectures displaying these variables can be done with <c>emerge -pv
		150	xorg-server</c> command rather than the one above. The example is for x86
		151	architecture and xorg-x11-7.0.
		152	</note>
		153
		154	<pre caption="Displaying all the driver options available">
		155	# <i>emerge -pv xorg-x11</i>
		156
		157	These are the packages that would be merged, in order:
		158
		159	Calculating dependencies... done!
		160	[ebuild R ] x11-base/xorg-x11-7.0-r1 USE="-3dfx" INPUT_DEVICES="keyboard
		161	mouse -acecad -aiptek -calcomp -citron -digitaledge -dmc -dynapro -elo2300
		162	-elographics -evdev -fpit -hyperpen -jamstudio -joystick -magellan -magictouch
		163	-microtouch -mutouch -palmax -penmount -spaceorb -summa -synaptics -tek4957
		164	-ur98 -vmmouse -void -wacom" VIDEO_CARDS="nvidia -apm -ark -chips -cirrus
		165	-cyrix -dummy -fbdev -fglrx -glint -i128 -i740 -i810 -imstt -mach64 -mga
		166	-neomagic -nsc -nv -r128 -radeon -rendition -s3 -s3virge -savage -siliconmotion
		167	-sis -sisusb -tdfx -tga -trident -tseng -v4l -vesa -vga -via -vmware -voodoo" 0
		168	kB
		169	</pre>
		170
		171	<p>
		172	After setting all the necessary variables you can install the Xorg package.
		173	</p>
		174
101	<pre caption="Installing Xorg">	175	<pre caption="Installing Xorg">
102	# <i>emerge xorg-x11</i>	176	# <i>emerge xorg-x11</i>
103	</pre>	177	</pre>
104		178
105	<p>	179	<p>
106	When the installation is finished, you might need to reinitialise some	180	When the installation is finished, you might need to re-initialise some
107	environment variables before you continue. Just run <c>env-update</c> followed	181	environment variables before you continue. Just run <c>env-update</c> followed
108	by <c>source /etc/profile</c> and you're all set. This doesn't harm your system	182	by <c>source /etc/profile</c> and you're all set.
109	in any way.
110	</p>	183	</p>
111		184
112	<pre caption="Reinitialising the environment variables">	185	<pre caption="Re-initialising the environment variables">
113	# <i>env-update</i>	186	# <i>env-update</i>
114	# <i>source /etc/profile</i>	187	# <i>source /etc/profile</i>
115	</pre>	188	</pre>
116		189
117	</body>	190	</body>
…		…
165	will have told you that it has written <path>/root/xorg.conf.new</path> ready	238	will have told you that it has written <path>/root/xorg.conf.new</path> ready
166	for you to test. So let's test :)	239	for you to test. So let's test :)
167	</p>	240	</p>
168		241
169	<pre caption="Testing the xorg.conf.new file">	242	<pre caption="Testing the xorg.conf.new file">
170	# <i>Xorg -config /root/xorg.conf.new</i>	243	# <i>X -config /root/xorg.conf.new</i>
171	</pre>	244	</pre>
172		245
173	<p>	246	<p>
174	If all goes well, you should see an ugly, loathsome, repulsive, deformed	247	If all goes well, you should see a simple black and white pattern. Verify if
175	window manager called <c>twm</c>, probably the smallest window manager	248	your mouse works correctly and if the resolution is good. If you received errors
176	available. Try moving your mouse and see if your keyboard and such is working.	249	about "/dev/mouse", try changing your mouse device to <c>/dev/input/mice</c> in
177	In the next section we will optimize our <path>xorg.conf</path> so it fits your	250	the "InputDevice" section of <path>xorg.conf</path>. You might not be able to
178	hardware. Now go into one of the terminals you see on your screen and type in	251	deduce the exact resolution, but you should be able to see if it's too low. You
179	<c>exit</c> (or press Ctrl-D) until Xorg shuts down. If you are unable to	252	can exit any time by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Backspace.
180	use your mouse to focus the terminals, you can also press Ctrl-Alt-Backspace to
181	kill the X server.
182	</p>	253	</p>
183		254
184	</body>	255	</body>
185	</section>	256	</section>
186	<section>	257	<section>
…		…
195		266
196	<pre caption="Semi-Automatic Generation of xorg.conf">	267	<pre caption="Semi-Automatic Generation of xorg.conf">
197	# <i>xorgconfig</i>	268	# <i>xorgconfig</i>
198	</pre>	269	</pre>
199		270
		271	<p>
		272	Another tool, also provided by Xorg, is <c>xorgcfg</c>, which will first
		273	attempt to run <c>Xorg -configure</c> and then start the X server for more
		274	final tweaking.
		275	</p>
		276
		277	<pre caption="Using xorgcfg">
		278	# <i>xorgcfg</i>
		279	<comment>(In case X crashes or the configuration fails, try:)</comment>
		280	# <i>xorgcfg -textmode</i>
		281	</pre>
		282
		283	</body>
		284	</section>
		285	<section>
		286	<title>Copying over xorg.conf</title>
		287	<body>
		288
		289	<p>
		290	Let us copy over the <path>xorg.conf.new</path> to
		291	<path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf</path> now, so we won't have to continuously run
		292	<c>X -config</c> -- typing just <c>X</c> or <c>startx</c> is far more easy :)
		293	</p>
		294
		295	<pre caption="Copying over xorg.conf">
		296	# <i>cp /root/xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf</i>
		297	</pre>
		298
		299	</body>
		300	</section>
		301	<section id="using_startx">
		302	<title>Using startx</title>
		303	<body>
		304
		305	<p>
		306	Now try <c>startx</c> to start up your X server. <c>startx</c> is a script
		307	that executes an <e>X session</e>, that is, it starts the X servers and some
		308	graphical applications on top of it. It decides which applications to run
		309	using the following logic:
		310	</p>
		311
		312	<ul>
		313	<li>
		314	If a file named <path>.xinitrc</path> exists in the home directory, it will
		315	execute the commands listed there.
		316	</li>
		317	<li>
		318	Otherwise, it will read the value of the XSESSION variable and will execute
		319	one of the sessions available in <path>/etc/X11/Sessions/</path>
		320	accordingly (you can set the value of XSESSION in <path>/etc/rc.conf</path>
		321	to make it a default for all the users on the system).
		322	</li>
		323	<li>
		324	If all of the above fail, it will fall back to a simple window manager,
		325	usually <c>twm</c>.
		326	</li>
		327	</ul>
		328
		329	<pre caption="Starting X">
		330	# <i>startx</i>
		331	</pre>
		332
		333	<p>
		334	If you see an ugly, loathsome, repulsive, deformed window manager, that's
		335	<c>twm</c>. To finish the twm session, type in <c>exit</c> or Ctrl-D in the
		336	upcoming xterms. You can also kill the X session using the Ctrl-Alt-Backspace
		337	combination. This will however make X exit disgracefully -- something that you
		338	might not always want. It doesn't hurt though :)
		339	</p>
		340
200	</body>	341	</body>
201	</section>	342	</section>
202	</chapter>	343	</chapter>
203	<chapter>	344	<chapter>
204	<title>Tweaking xorg.conf</title>	345	<title>Tweaking xorg.conf</title>
205	<section>	346	<section>
206	<title>Copying over xorg.conf</title>
207	<body>
208
209	<p>
210	Let us first copy over the <path>xorg.conf.new</path> to
211	<path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf</path> so we won't have to continuously run <c>Xorg
212	-config</c> -- typing <c>startx</c> is far more easy :)
213	</p>
214
215	<pre caption="Copying over xorg.conf">
216	# <i>cp /root/xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf</i>
217	</pre>
218
219	<p>
220	Now run <c>startx</c> to start up your X server. It will use the freshly copied
221	file as its configuration file. To finish the X session, type in <c>exit</c> or
222	Ctrl-D in the upcoming xterms. You can also kill the X session using the
223	Ctrl-Alt-Backspace combination. This will however make X exit disgracefully -
224	something that you might not always want. It doesn't hurt though :)
225	</p>
226
227	<pre caption="Starting X">
228	# <i>startx</i>
229	</pre>
230
231	</body>
232	</section>
233	<section>
234	<title>Setting your Resolution</title>	347	<title>Setting your Resolution</title>
235	<body>	348	<body>
236		349
237	<p>	350	<p>
238	If you feel that the screen resolution is wrong, you will need to check two	351	If you feel that the screen resolution is wrong, you will need to check two
239	sections in your configuration. First of all, you have the <e>Screen</e> section	352	sections in your configuration. First of all, you have the <e>Screen</e> section
240	which lists the resolutions - if any - that your X server will run at. By	353	which lists the resolutions, if any that your X server will run at. By
241	default, this section might not list any resolutions at all. If this is the	354	default, this section might not list any resolutions at all. If this is the
242	case, Xorg will estimate the resolutions based on the information in the	355	case, Xorg will estimate the resolutions based on the information in the
243	second section, <e>Monitor</e>.	356	second section, <e>Monitor</e>.
244	</p>	357	</p>
245		358
…		…
252	use a tool that searches for your monitor's specs, such as	365	use a tool that searches for your monitor's specs, such as
253	<c>sys-apps/ddcxinfo-knoppix</c>.	366	<c>sys-apps/ddcxinfo-knoppix</c>.
254	</p>	367	</p>
255		368
256	<warn>	369	<warn>
257	Do <b>not</b> "just" change the values of these two monitor-related variables	370	Do <b>not</b> "just" change the values of these two monitor related variables
258	without consulting the technical specifications of your monitor. Setting	371	without consulting the technical specifications of your monitor. Setting
259	incorrect values lead to out-of-sync errors at best and smoked up screens at	372	incorrect values lead to out-of-sync errors at best and smoked up screens at
260	worst.	373	worst.
261	</warn>	374	</warn>
262		375
263	<p>	376	<p>
264	Now let us change the resolutions. In the next example from	377	Now let us change the resolutions. In the next example from
265	<path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf</path> we add the <c>Modes</c> lines and the	378	<path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf</path> we add the <c>Modes</c> lines and the
266	<c>DefaultDepth</c> so that our X server starts with 24 bits at 1024x768 by	379	<c>DefaultDepth</c> so that our X server starts with 24 bits at 1024x768 by
267	default. Don't mind the given strings - they are examples and will most likely	380	default. Don't mind the given strings -- they are examples and will most likely
268	differ from the settings on your system.	381	differ from the settings on your system.
269	</p>	382	</p>
270		383
271	<pre caption="Changing the Screen section in /etc/X11/xorg.conf">	384	<pre caption="Changing the Screen section in /etc/X11/xorg.conf">
272	Section "Screen"	385	Section "Screen"
…		…
316	<title>Configuring your Mouse</title>	429	<title>Configuring your Mouse</title>
317	<body>	430	<body>
318		431
319	<p>	432	<p>
320	If your mouse isn't working, you will first need to find out if it is detected	433	If your mouse isn't working, you will first need to find out if it is detected
321	by the kernel at all. PS/2 mice are (device-wise) seen as	434	by the kernel at all. Mice are (device-wise) seen as
322	<path>/dev/psaux</path>. Other mice (like USBs) are seen as
323	<path>/dev/input</path> (or <path>/dev/input/mice</path>). In either case you	435	<path>/dev/input/mouse0</path> (or <path>/dev/input/mice</path> if you want to
324	can check if the devices do represent your mouse by checking the output of those	436	use several mice). In some cases <path>/dev/psaux</path> is used. In either
325	files when you move your mouse. To end the session press <c>Ctrl-C</c>.	437	case you can check if the devices do represent
		438	your mouse by checking the output of those files when you move your mouse. You
		439	will usually see some junk on your screen. To end the session press
		440	<c>Ctrl-C</c>.
326	</p>	441	</p>
327		442
328	<pre caption="Checking the device files">	443	<pre caption="Checking the device files">
329	# <i>cat /dev/input</i>	444	# <i>cat /dev/input/mouse0</i>
330	<comment>(Don't forget to press Ctrl-C to end this)</comment>	445	<comment>(Don't forget to press Ctrl-C to end this)</comment>
331	</pre>	446	</pre>
332		447
333	<p>	448	<p>
334	If your mouse isn't detected, verify if all the necessary modules are loaded.	449	If your mouse isn't detected, verify if all the necessary modules are loaded.
335	</p>	450	</p>
336		451
337	<p>	452	<p>
338	If your mouse is detected, fill in the device in the appropriate	453	If your mouse is detected, fill in the device in the appropriate
339	<e>InputDevice</e> section. In the next example you'll see we also set two other	454	<e>InputDevice</e> section. In the next example you'll see we also set two other
340	options: <c>Protocol</c> (which lists the mouse protocol to be used - most users	455	options: <c>Protocol</c> (which lists the mouse protocol to be used -- most
341	will use PS/2 or IMPS/2) and <c>ZAxisMapping</c> (which allows for the	456	users will use PS/2 or IMPS/2) and <c>ZAxisMapping</c> (which allows for the
342	mousewheel (if applicable) to be used).	457	mousewheel (if applicable) to be used).
343	</p>	458	</p>
344		459
345	<pre caption="Changing the mouse settings in Xorg">	460	<pre caption="Changing the mouse settings in Xorg">
346	Section "InputDevice"	461	Section "InputDevice"
347	Identifier "TouchPad Mouse"	462	Identifier "TouchPad Mouse"
348	Driver "mouse"	463	Driver "mouse"
349	Option "CorePointer"	464	Option "CorePointer"
350	<i>Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"</i>	465	<i>Option "Device" "/dev/input/mouse0"</i>
351	<i>Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"</i>	466	<i>Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"</i>
352	<i>Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"</i>	467	<i>Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"</i>
353	EndSection	468	EndSection
354	</pre>	469	</pre>
355		470
…		…
402	</li>	517	</li>
403	</ul>	518	</ul>
404		519
405	</body>	520	</body>
406	</section>	521	</section>
		522	<section>
		523	<title>Other resources</title>
		524	<body>
		525
		526	<p>
		527	If you want to update your system from the old monolithic Xorg to the newer,
		528	modular Xorg 7, you should refer to the <uri
		529	link="/proj/en/desktop/x/x11/modular-x-howto.xml">Migrating to Modular X
		530	HOWTO</uri>.
		531	</p>
		532
		533	<p>
		534	More information about configuring different packages to work in X environment
		535	can be found in the <uri link="/doc/en/?catid=desktop">Gentoo Desktop
		536	Documentation Resources</uri> section of our documentation.
		537	</p>
		538
		539	</body>
		540	</section>
407	</chapter>	541	</chapter>
408	</guide>	542	</guide>

 Legend:



Removed from v.1.3
 


changed lines


 
Added in v.1.22
 Legend:



Removed from v.1.3
 


changed lines


 
Added in v.1.22
-Removed from v.1.3
+Added in v.1.22

	ViewVC Help
Powered by ViewVC 1.1.13