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1	<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>	1	<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
2
3	<!-- $Header: /var/cvsroot/gentoo/xml/htdocs/doc/en/xorg-config.xml,v 1.8 2005/02/14 09:26:19 swift Exp $ -->
4
5	<!DOCTYPE guide SYSTEM "/dtd/guide.dtd">	2	<!DOCTYPE guide SYSTEM "/dtd/guide.dtd">
		3	<!-- $Header: /var/cvsroot/gentoo/xml/htdocs/doc/en/xorg-config.xml,v 1.35 2009/12/31 01:37:01 nightmorph Exp $ -->
6		4
7	<guide link="xorg-config.xml">	5	<guide>
8
9	<title>The X Server Configuration HOWTO</title>	6	<title>The X Server Configuration HOWTO</title>
10		7
11	<author title="Author">	8	<author title="Author">
12	<mail link="swift@gentoo.org">Sven Vermeulen</mail>	9	<mail link="swift@gentoo.org">Sven Vermeulen</mail>
13	</author>	10	</author>
		11	<author title="Author">
		12	<mail link="nightmorph"/>
		13	</author>
14		14
15	<abstract>	15	<abstract>
16	Xorg is the X Window server which allows users to have a graphical	16	Xorg is the X Window server which allows users to have a graphical
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/2.0 -->	22	<!-- See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5 -->
23	<license/>	23	<license/>
24		24
25	<version>1.7</version>	25	<version>1.25</version>
26	<date>2005-02-07</date>	26	<date>2009-12-30</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>
…		…
33		33
34	<p>	34	<p>
35	The average user may be frightened at the thought of having to type in commands.	35	The average user may be frightened at the thought of having to type in commands.
36	Why wouldn't he be able to point and click his way through the freedom provided	36	Why wouldn't he be able to point and click his way through the freedom provided
37	by Gentoo (and Linux in general)? Well, big smile, of course you are able to	37	by Gentoo (and Linux in general)? Well, big smile, of course you are able to
38	do this :-) Linux offers a wide variety of flashy user interfaces and	38	do this. :-) Linux offers a wide variety of flashy user interfaces and
39	environments which you can install on top of your existing installation.	39	environments which you can install on top of your existing installation.
40	</p>	40	</p>
41		41
42	<p>	42	<p>
43	This is one of the biggest surprises new users come across: a graphical user	43	This is one of the biggest surprises new users come across: a graphical user
…		…
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.	61	compatible with the GPL license; the use of Xorg is therefore recommended.
62	The official Portage tree does not provide an XFree86 package anymore.	62	The official Portage tree does not provide an XFree86 package anymore.
63	</p>	63	</p>
64		64
65	</body>	65	</body>
66	</section>	66	</section>
…		…
68	<title>The X.org Project</title>	68	<title>The X.org Project</title>
69	<body>	69	<body>
70		70
71	<p>	71	<p>
72	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
73	maintains a freely redistributable open-source implementation of the X11 system.	73	maintains a freely redistributable, open-source implementation of the X11
74	It is an open source X11-based desktop infrastructure.	74	system. It is an open source X11-based desktop infrastructure.
75	</p>	75	</p>
76		76
77	<p>	77	<p>
78	Xorg provides an interface between your hardware and the graphical software	78	Xorg provides an interface between your hardware and the graphical software
79	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
80	are able to run an application on one system while viewing it on a different	80	are able to run an application on one system while viewing it on a different
81	one.	81	one.
82	</p>	82	</p>
83		83
84	</body>	84	</body>
85	</section>	85	</section>
86	</chapter>	86	</chapter>
		87
87	<chapter>	88	<chapter>
88	<title>Installing Xorg</title>	89	<title>Installing Xorg</title>
89	<section>	90	<section>
90	<title>Using emerge</title>	91	<title>Kernel configuration</title>
		92	<body>
		93
		94	<p>
		95	By default, Xorg uses <c>evdev</c>, a generic input driver. You'll need to
		96	activate support for <c>evdev</c> by making a change to your kernel
		97	configuration. (Read the
		98	<uri link="/doc/en/kernel-config.xml">Kernel Configuration Guide</uri> if you
		99	don't know how to setup your kernel.)
		100	</p>
		101
		102	<pre caption="Enabling evdev in the kernel">
		103	Device Drivers --->
		104	Input device support --->
		105	<*> Event interface
		106	</pre>
		107
91	<body>	108	</body>
		109	</section>
		110	<section>
		111	<title>make.conf configuration</title>
		112	<body>
92		113
		114	<p>
		115	Before you install Xorg, you have to configure two important variables in the
		116	<path>/etc/make.conf</path> file.
93	<p>	117	</p>
94	Enough chitchat, let's get to business shall we? To install Xorg, you just	118
95	need to run <c>emerge xorg-x11</c>. Installing Xorg does take a while	119	<p>
96	though, so you might want to grab a snack while you are waiting.	120	The first variable is <c>VIDEO_CARDS</c>. This is used to set the video drivers
		121	that you intend to use and is usually based on the kind and brand of card you
		122	have. The most common settings are <c>nvidia</c> for Nvidia cards or
		123	<c>fglrx</c> for ATI Radeon cards. Those are the proprietary drivers from Nvidia
		124	and ATI respectively. If you would like to use the open source nVidia driver,
		125	use <c>nv</c> rather than <c>nvidia</c> in the variable, but bear in mind that
		126	using this driver means no 3D acceleration at all. The free <c>radeon</c> and
		127	<c>radeonhd</c> drivers are available for ATI cards, and are more or less the
		128	equal of the proprietary <c>fglrx</c> driver. The <c>intel</c> driver may be
		129	used for desktops or laptops with common Intel integrated graphics chipsets.
		130	<c>VIDEO_CARDS</c> may contain more than one driver, in this case list of them
		131	should be separated with spaces.
		132	</p>
		133
		134	<p>
		135	The second variable is <c>INPUT_DEVICES</c> and is used to determine which
		136	drivers are to be built for input devices. In most cases setting it to
		137	<c>evdev</c> should work just fine. If you use alternative input
		138	devices, such as a Synaptics touchpad for a laptop, be sure to add it to
		139	<c>INPUT_DEVICES</c>.
		140	</p>
		141
		142	<p>
		143	Now you should decide which drivers you will use and add necessary settings to
		144	the <path>/etc/make.conf</path> file:
		145	</p>
		146
		147	<pre caption="Sample make.conf entries">
		148	<comment>(For mouse, keyboard, and Synaptics touchpad support)</comment>
		149	INPUT_DEVICES="evdev synaptics"
		150	<comment>(For Nvidia cards)</comment>
		151	VIDEO_CARDS="nvidia"
		152	<comment>(OR, for ATI Radeon cards)</comment>
		153	VIDEO_CARDS="radeon"
		154	</pre>
		155
		156	<note>
		157	More instructions on how to configure nVidia and ATI cards can be found in the
		158	<uri link="/doc/en/nvidia-guide.xml">Gentoo Linux nVidia Guide</uri> and in the
		159	<uri link="/doc/en/ati-faq.xml">Gentoo Linux ATI FAQ</uri>. If you don't know
		160	which drivers you should choose, refer to these guides for more information.
		161	</note>
		162
		163	<p>
		164	If the suggested settings don't work for you, you should run <c>emerge -pv
		165	xorg-server</c>, check all the options available and choose those which apply to
		166	your system. This example is for a system with a keyboard, mouse, Synaptics
		167	touchpad, and a Radeon video card.
		168	</p>
		169
		170	<pre caption="Displaying all the driver options available">
		171	# <i>emerge -pv xorg-server</i>
		172
		173	These are the packages that would be merged, in order:
		174
		175	Calculating dependencies... done!
		176	[ebuild R ] x11-base/xorg-server-1.6.3.901-r2 USE="hal nptl xorg -debug
		177	-dmx -ipv6 -kdrive -minimal -sdl -tslib" 0 kB
		178	[ebuild R ] x11-base/xorg-drivers-1.6 INPUT_DEVICES="evdev synaptics
		179	-acecad -aiptek -citron -elographics -fpit -hyperpen -joystick -keyboard -mouse
		180	-mutouch -penmount -tslib -virtualbox -vmmouse -void -wacom"
		181	VIDEO_CARDS="radeon -apm -ark -ast -chips -cirrus -dummy -epson -fbdev -fglrx
		182	(-geode) -glint -i128 (-i740) (-impact) (-imstt) -intel -mach64 -mga -neomagic
		183	(-newport) -nv -nvidia -r128 -radeonhd -rendition -s3 -s3virge -savage
		184	-siliconmotion -sis -sisusb (-sunbw2) (-suncg14) (-suncg3) (-suncg6) (-sunffb)
		185	(-sunleo) (-suntcx) -tdfx -tga -trident -tseng -v4l (-vermilion) -vesa -via
		186	-virtualbox -vmware (-voodoo) (-xgi)" 0 kB
		187	</pre>
		188
		189	<p>
		190	After setting all the necessary variables you can install the Xorg package.
97	</p>	191	</p>
98		192
99	<pre caption="Installing Xorg">	193	<pre caption="Installing Xorg">
100	# <i>emerge xorg-x11</i>	194	# <i>emerge xorg-server</i>
101	</pre>	195	</pre>
102		196
		197	<note>
		198	You could install the <c>xorg-x11</c> metapackage instead of the more
		199	lightweight <c>xorg-server</c>. Functionally, <c>xorg-x11</c> and
		200	<c>xorg-server</c> are the same. However, <c>xorg-x11</c> brings in many more
		201	packages that you probably don't need, such as a huge assortment of fonts in
		202	many different languages. They're not necessary for a working desktop.
		203	</note>
		204
103	<p>	205	<p>
104	When the installation is finished, you might need to reinitialise some	206	When the installation is finished, you will need to re-initialise some
105	environment variables before you continue. Just run <c>env-update</c> followed	207	environment variables before you continue. Just run <c>env-update</c> followed
106	by <c>source /etc/profile</c> and you're all set. This doesn't harm your system	208	by <c>source /etc/profile</c> and you're all set.
107	in any way.
108	</p>	209	</p>
109		210
110	<pre caption="Reinitialising the environment variables">	211	<pre caption="Re-initialising the environment variables">
111	# <i>env-update</i>	212	# <i>env-update</i>
112	# <i>source /etc/profile</i>	213	# <i>source /etc/profile</i>
113	</pre>	214	</pre>
114		215
		216	<p>
		217	Now it's time to start the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) daemon and set it to
		218	automatically start each time you boot. This is necessary to get a working X
		219	environment, otherwise your input devices won't be detected and you'll probably
		220	just get a blank screen. We'll cover HAL more in the <uri
		221	link="#using_hal">next section</uri>.
		222	</p>
		223
		224	<pre caption="Starting HAL">
		225	# <i>/etc/init.d/hald start</i>
		226	# <i>rc-update add hald default</i>
		227	</pre>
		228
115	</body>	229	</body>
116	</section>	230	</section>
117	</chapter>	231	</chapter>
		232
118	<chapter>	233	<chapter>
119	<title>Configuring Xorg</title>	234	<title>Configuring Xorg</title>
		235	<section id="using_hal">
		236	<title>Using HAL</title>
		237	<body>
		238
		239	<p>
		240	Recent X server versions are designed to work out-of-the-box, with no need to
		241	manually edit Xorg's configuration files.
		242	</p>
		243
		244	<p>
		245	You should first try <uri link="#using_startx">starting X</uri> without creating
		246	<path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf</path>.
		247	</p>
		248
		249	<p>
		250	If Xorg won't start (if there's something wrong with the screen, or with your
		251	keyboard/mouse), then you can try fixing problems by using the right
		252	configuration files.
		253	</p>
		254
		255	<p>
		256	By default, Xorg uses HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) to detect and configure
		257	devices such as keyboards and mice.
		258	</p>
		259
		260	<p>
		261	HAL comes with many premade device rules, also called policies. These policy
		262	files are available in <path>/usr/share/hal/fdi/policy/</path>. Just find a few
		263	that suit your needs most closely and copy them to
		264	<path>/etc/hal/fdi/policy/</path>.
		265	</p>
		266
		267	<impo>
		268	Do not edit the files in <path>/usr/share/hal/fdi/</path>! Just copy the ones
		269	you need, and edit them once they're placed in the proper <path>/etc</path>
		270	location.
		271	</impo>
		272
		273	<p>
		274	For example, to get a basic working keyboard/mouse combination, you could copy
		275	the following files to <path>/etc/hal/fdi/policy/</path>:
		276	</p>
		277
		278	<pre caption="Using HAL policy files">
		279	# <i>cp /usr/share/hal/fdi/policy/10osvendor/10-input-policy.fdi /etc/hal/fdi/policy</i>
		280	# <i>cp /usr/share/hal/fdi/policy/10osvendor/10-x11-input.fdi /etc/hal/fdi/policy</i>
		281	</pre>
		282
		283	<p>
		284	There are several other HAL policies in <path>/usr/share/hal/fdi/</path> that
		285	may interest you, such as laptop configurations, storage device handling, power
		286	management, and more. Just copy any of the policies to
		287	<path>/etc/hal/fdi/policy/</path>.
		288	</p>
		289
		290	<impo>
		291	Remember, <e>every</e> time you finish making changes to HAL policy files, you
		292	need to restart the HAL daemon by running <c>/etc/init.d/hald restart</c>.
		293	</impo>
		294
		295	<p>
		296	You can edit the policy files in <path>/etc/hal/fdi/policy</path> to your
		297	liking. You may want to make a few tweaks or to expose additional
		298	functionality. Let's go through an example of tweaking a HAL policy.
		299	</p>
		300
		301	<p>
		302	One very convenient trick is to kill the X server entirely by pressing
		303	Ctrl-Alt-Backspace. This is useful when your X server is malfunctioning, frozen,
		304	etc. It's not as extreme as rebooting the whole machine with Ctrl-Alt-Del.
		305	</p>
		306
		307	<p>
		308	Recent X server versions disabled this key combination by default. However, you
		309	can reenable it by copying <path>10-x11-input.fdi</path> to
		310	<path>/etc/hal/fdi/policy</path> and editing it. You'll need to add just one
		311	line to the appropriate section, as shown below:
		312	</p>
		313
		314	<pre caption="Editing 10-x11-input.fdi">
		315	<comment>(Open the file in your preferred editor)</comment>
		316	# <i>nano -w /etc/hal/fdi/policy/10-x11-input.fdi</i>
		317	<comment>(Find the "input.keys" section)</comment>
		318	<match key="info.capabilities" contains="input.keys">
		319	<comment>(Add the "terminate" merge string as shown)</comment>
		320	<match key="info.capabilities" contains="input.keys">
		321	<merge key="input.x11_driver" type="string">keyboard</merge>
		322	<i><merge key="input.xkb.options" type="string">terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp</merge></i>
		323	<match key="/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/computer:system.kernel.name"
		324	string="Linux">
		325	<merge key="input.x11_driver" type="string">evdev<merge>
		326	</match>
		327	</match>
		328	</pre>
		329
		330	<p>
		331	Once you're done, run <c>/etc/init.d/hald restart</c> so that HAL picks up your
		332	changes.
		333	</p>
		334
		335	<p>
		336	There, now you have a handy way of killing an unresponsive X server. This is
		337	useful when programs have frozen your display entirely, or when configuring and
		338	tweaking your Xorg environment. Be careful when killing your desktop with this
		339	key combination -- most programs really don't like it when you end them this
		340	way, and you may lose some (or all) of what you were working on.
		341	</p>
		342
		343	<p>
		344	Hopefully just working with the HAL policy files results in a working X desktop.
		345	If Xorg still won't start, or there's some other problem, then you'll need to
		346	manually configure <path>xorg.conf</path> as shown in the next section.
		347	</p>
		348
		349	</body>
120	<section>	350	</section>
		351	<section>
121	<title>The xorg.conf File</title>	352	<title>The xorg.conf file</title>
122	<body>	353	<body>
123		354
		355	<note>
		356	Configuring <path>xorg.conf</path> should be seen as a "last resort" option. It
		357	really desirable to run without one if possible, and to do all your
		358	configuration via HAL policy files. If you still can't get a working
		359	configuration, then read on.
		360	</note>
		361
124	<p>	362	<p>
125	The configuration file of Xorg is called <path>xorg.conf</path> and it	363	The configuration file of Xorg is called <path>xorg.conf</path> and it resides
126	resides in <path>/etc/X11</path>. The Xorg-X11 package provides an example	364	in <path>/etc/X11</path>. Xorg provides an example configuration as
127	configuration as <path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf.example</path> which you can use to	365	<path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf.example</path> which you can use to create your own
128	create your own configuration. It is heavily commented, but if you are in need	366	configuration. It is heavily commented, but if you are in need of more
129	of more documentation regarding the syntax, don't hesitate to read the man page:	367	documentation regarding the syntax, don't hesitate to read the man page:
130	</p>	368	</p>
131		369
132	<pre caption="Reading the xorg.conf man page">	370	<pre caption="Reading the xorg.conf man page">
133	# <i>man 5 xorg.conf</i>	371	$ <i>man 5 xorg.conf</i>
134	</pre>
135
136	<p>
137	Happy reading for those of you willing to. We surely don't so we'll continue
138	with checking out how we can create the file automatically.
139	</p>	372	</pre>
140		373
141	</body>	374	</body>
142	</section>
143	<section>	375	</section>
		376	<section>
144	<title>Default: Automatic Generation of xorg.conf</title>	377	<title>Automatic Generation of xorg.conf</title>
145	<body>	378	<body>
146		379
147	<p>	380	<p>
148	Xorg itself is able to guess most parameters for you. In most cases, you	381	Xorg itself is able to guess most parameters for you. In most cases, you
149	will only have to change some lines to get the resolution you want up and	382	will only have to change some lines to get the resolution you want up and
150	running. If you are interested in more in-depth tweaking, be sure to check the	383	running. If you are interested in more in-depth tweaking, be sure to check the
151	resources at the end of this chapter. But first, let us generate a (hopefully	384	resources at the end of this chapter. But first, let us generate a (hopefully
152	working) Xorg configuration file.	385	working) Xorg configuration file.
153	</p>	386	</p>
154		387
155	<pre caption="Generating an xorg.conf file">	388	<pre caption="Generating an xorg.conf file">
156	# <i>Xorg -configure</i>	389	# <i>Xorg -configure</i>
157	</pre>	390	</pre>
…		…
159	<p>	392	<p>
160	Be sure to read the last lines printed on your screen when Xorg has finished	393	Be sure to read the last lines printed on your screen when Xorg has finished
161	probing your hardware. If it tells you it failed at some point, you're forced to	394	probing your hardware. If it tells you it failed at some point, you're forced to
162	manually write an <path>xorg.conf</path> file. Assuming that it didn't fail, it	395	manually write an <path>xorg.conf</path> file. Assuming that it didn't fail, it
163	will have told you that it has written <path>/root/xorg.conf.new</path> ready	396	will have told you that it has written <path>/root/xorg.conf.new</path> ready
164	for you to test. So let's test :)	397	for you to test. So let's test. :)
165	</p>	398	</p>
166		399
167	<pre caption="Testing the xorg.conf.new file">	400	<pre caption="Testing the xorg.conf.new file">
168	# <i>X -config /root/xorg.conf.new</i>	401	# <i>X -config /root/xorg.conf.new</i>
169	</pre>	402	</pre>
170		403
171	<p>	404	<p>
172	If all goes well, you should see an ugly, loathsome, repulsive, deformed	405	If all goes well, you should see a simple black and white pattern. Verify if
173	window manager called <c>twm</c>, probably the smallest window manager	406	your mouse works correctly and if the resolution is good. You might not be able
174	available. Try moving your mouse and see if your keyboard and such is working.	407	to deduce the exact resolution, but you should be able to see if it's too low.
175	In the next section we will optimize our <path>xorg.conf</path> so it fits your	408	You can exit any time by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Backspace.
176	hardware. Now go into one of the terminals you see on your screen and type in
177	<c>exit</c> (or press Ctrl-D) until Xorg shuts down. If you are unable to
178	use your mouse to focus the terminals, you can also press Ctrl-Alt-Backspace to
179	kill the X server.
180	</p>
181
182	<p>	409	</p>
183	If <c>twm</c> doesn't load, don't worry - it will once you'll start the X server
184	through the regular <c>startx</c> command. Verify if your mouse works correctly
185	and if the resolution is good. You might not be able to deduce the exact
186	resolution, but you should be able to see if it's too low. You can exit any time
187	by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Backspace.
188	</p>
189		410
190	</body>	411	</body>
191	</section>
192	<section>	412	</section>
193	<title>Alternative: Semi-Automatic Generation of xorg.conf</title>
194	<body>
195
196	<p>
197	Xorg provides a tool called <c>xorgconfig</c> which will ask you for various
198	information regarding your system (graphical adapter, keyboard, ...). Based on
199	your input it will create a <path>xorg.conf</path> file.
200	</p>
201
202	<pre caption="Semi-Automatic Generation of xorg.conf">
203	# <i>xorgconfig</i>
204	</pre>
205
206	</body>
207	</section>
208	</chapter>
209	<chapter>
210	<title>Tweaking xorg.conf</title>
211	<section>	413	<section>
212	<title>Copying over xorg.conf</title>	414	<title>Copying over xorg.conf</title>
213	<body>	415	<body>
214		416
215	<p>	417	<p>
216	Let us first copy over the <path>xorg.conf.new</path> to	418	Let us copy over the <path>xorg.conf.new</path> to
217	<path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf</path> so we won't have to continuously run <c>Xorg	419	<path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf</path> now, so we won't have to continuously run
218	-config</c> -- typing <c>startx</c> is far more easy :)	420	<c>X -config</c> -- typing just <c>startx</c> is easier. :)
219	</p>	421	</p>
220		422
221	<pre caption="Copying over xorg.conf">	423	<pre caption="Copying over xorg.conf">
222	# <i>cp /root/xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf</i>	424	# <i>cp /root/xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf</i>
223	</pre>	425	</pre>
224		426
225	<p>	427	</body>
226	Now run <c>startx</c> to start up your X server. It will use the freshly copied	428	</section>
227	file as its configuration file. To finish the X session, type in <c>exit</c> or	429	<section id="using_startx">
228	Ctrl-D in the upcoming xterms. You can also kill the X session using the	430	<title>Using startx</title>
229	Ctrl-Alt-Backspace combination. This will however make X exit disgracefully -	431	<body>
230	something that you might not always want. It doesn't hurt though :)	432
231	</p>	433	<p>
		434	Now try <c>startx</c> to start up your X server. <c>startx</c> is a script
		435	that executes an <e>X session</e>, that is, it starts the X servers and some
		436	graphical applications on top of it. It decides which applications to run
		437	using the following logic:
		438	</p>
		439
		440	<ul>
		441	<li>
		442	If a file named <path>.xinitrc</path> exists in the home directory, it will
		443	execute the commands listed there.
		444	</li>
		445	<li>
		446	Otherwise, it will read the value of the XSESSION variable and will execute
		447	one of the sessions available in <path>/etc/X11/Sessions/</path>
		448	accordingly. You can set the value of XSESSION in
		449	<path>/etc/env.d/90xsession</path> to make it a default for all the users on
		450	the system. For example, as root, run <c>echo XSESSION="Xfce4" >
		451	/etc/env.d/90xsession</c>. This will create the <path>90xsession</path> file
		452	and set the default X session to Xfce4.
		453	</li>
		454	<li>
		455	If all of the above fail, it will fall back to a simple window manager,
		456	usually <c>twm</c>.
		457	</li>
		458	</ul>
232		459
233	<pre caption="Starting X">	460	<pre caption="Starting X">
234	# <i>startx</i>	461	# <i>startx</i>
235	</pre>	462	</pre>
236		463
		464	<p>
		465	You can kill the X session using the Ctrl-Alt-Backspace combination. This will
		466	however make X exit disgracefully -- something that you might not always want.
		467	</p>
		468
237	</body>	469	</body>
238	</section>	470	</section>
		471	</chapter>
		472
		473	<chapter>
		474	<title>Tweaking X settings</title>
239	<section>	475	<section>
240	<title>Setting your Resolution</title>	476	<title>Setting your Resolution</title>
241	<body>	477	<body>
242		478
243	<p>	479	<p>
244	If you feel that the screen resolution is wrong, you will need to check two	480	If you feel that the screen resolution is wrong, you will need to check two
245	sections in your configuration. First of all, you have the <e>Screen</e> section	481	sections in your <path>xorg.conf</path> configuration. First of all, you have
246	which lists the resolutions - if any - that your X server will run at. By	482	the <e>Screen</e> section which lists the resolutions, if any that your X server
247	default, this section might not list any resolutions at all. If this is the	483	will run at. By default, this section might not list any resolutions at all. If
248	case, Xorg will estimate the resolutions based on the information in the	484	this is the case, Xorg will estimate the resolutions based on the information in
249	second section, <e>Monitor</e>.	485	the second section, <e>Monitor</e>.
250	</p>	486	</p>
251		487
252	<p>	488	<p>
253	What happens is that Xorg checks the settings of <c>HorizSync</c> and	489	What happens is that Xorg checks the settings of <c>HorizSync</c> and
254	<c>VertRefresh</c> in the <e>Monitor</e> section to compute valid resolutions.	490	<c>VertRefresh</c> in the <e>Monitor</e> section to compute valid resolutions.
255	For now, leave these settings as-is. Only when the changes to the <e>Screen</e>	491	For now, leave these settings as-is. Only when the changes to the <e>Screen</e>
256	section (which we will describe in a minute) don't work, then you will need to	492	section (which we will describe in a minute) don't work, then you will need to
257	look up the specs for your monitor and fill in the correct values. You can also	493	look up the specs for your monitor and fill in the correct values.
258	use a tool that searches for your monitor's specs, such as
259	<c>sys-apps/ddcxinfo-knoppix</c>.
260	</p>	494	</p>
261		495
262	<warn>	496	<warn>
263	Do <b>not</b> "just" change the values of these two monitor-related variables	497	Do <b>not</b> "just" change the values of these two monitor related variables
264	without consulting the technical specifications of your monitor. Setting	498	without consulting the technical specifications of your monitor. Setting
265	incorrect values lead to out-of-sync errors at best and smoked up screens at	499	incorrect values lead to out-of-sync errors at best and smoked up screens at
266	worst.	500	worst.
267	</warn>	501	</warn>
268		502
269	<p>	503	<p>
270	Now let us change the resolutions. In the next example from	504	Now let us change the resolutions. In the next example from
271	<path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf</path> we add the <c>Modes</c> lines and the	505	<path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf</path> we add the <c>Modes</c> lines and the
272	<c>DefaultDepth</c> so that our X server starts with 24 bits at 1024x768 by	506	<c>DefaultDepth</c> so that our X server starts with 24 bits at 1440x900 by
273	default. Don't mind the given strings - they are examples and will most likely	507	default. Don't mind the given strings -- they are examples and will most likely
274	differ from the settings on your system.	508	differ from the settings on your system.
275	</p>	509	</p>
276		510
277	<pre caption="Changing the Screen section in /etc/X11/xorg.conf">	511	<pre caption="Changing the Screen section in /etc/X11/xorg.conf">
278	Section "Screen"	512	Section "Screen"
279	Identifier "Default Screen"	513	Identifier "Default Screen"
280	Device "S3 Inc. ProSavage KN133 [Twister K]"	514	Device "RadeonHD 4550"
281	Monitor "Generic Monitor"	515	Monitor "Generic Monitor"
282	<i>DefaultDepth 24</i>	516	<i>DefaultDepth 24</i>
283	<comment># Skipping some text to improve readability</comment>	517	<comment># Skipping some text to improve readability</comment>
284	SubSection "Display"	518	SubSection "Display"
285	Depth 24	519	Depth 24
286	<i>Modes "1024x768"</i>	520	<i>Modes "1440x900"</i>
287	EndSubSection	521	EndSubSection
288	EndSection	522	EndSection
289	</pre>	523	</pre>
290		524
291	<p>	525	<p>
292	Run X (<c>startx</c>) to discover it uses the resolution you want :)	526	Run X (<c>startx</c>) to discover it uses the resolution you want. :)
293	</p>	527	</p>
294		528
295	</body>	529	</body>
296	</section>
297	<section>	530	</section>
		531	<section>
298	<title>Configuring your Keyboard</title>	532	<title>Configuring your keyboard</title>
299	<body>
300
301	<p>
302	To setup X to use an international keyboard, search for the <e>InputDevice</e>
303	section that configures the keyboard and add the <c>XkbLayout</c> option to
304	point to the keyboard layout you want. As an example, we show you how to apply
305	for the Belgian layout. Just substitute the country-keycode with yours:
306	</p>
307
308	<pre caption="Changing the keyboard layout">
309	Section "InputDevice"
310	Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
311	Driver "keyboard"
312	Option "CoreKeyboard"
313	Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
314	Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
315	<i>Option "XkbLayout" "be"</i>
316	EndSection
317	</pre>
318
319	</body>	533	<body>
320	</section>	534
		535	<p>
		536	To setup X to use an international keyboard, you can copy the content of
		537	<path>/usr/share/doc/hal-//use-estonian-layout.fdi.bz2</path> to
		538	<path>/etc/hal/fdi/policy/10-xinput-configuration.fdi</path>:
		539	</p>
		540
		541	<pre caption="Using an existing config file">
		542	# <i>bzcat /usr/share/doc/hal-//use-estonian-layout.fdi > /etc/hal/fdi/policy/10-xinput-configuration.fdi</i>
		543	</pre>
		544
		545	<p>
		546	Now you can just edit <path>10-xinput-configuration.fdi</path> and change the
		547	Estonian keyboard layout (<c>ee</c>) to your own, such as Great Britain
		548	(<b>gb</b>) or Polish (<b>pl</b>).
		549	</p>
		550
		551	<p>
		552	When you're finished, run <c>/etc/init.d/hald restart</c> as root to make sure
		553	that HAL picks up your configuration file changes.
		554	</p>
		555
		556	</body>
321	<section>	557	</section>
322	<title>Configuring your Mouse</title>	558	<section>
		559	<title>Finishing up</title>
323	<body>	560	<body>
324		561
325	<p>
326	If your mouse isn't working, you will first need to find out if it is detected
327	by the kernel at all. PS/2 mice are (device-wise) seen as
328	<path>/dev/psaux</path>. Other mice (like USBs) are seen as
329	<path>/dev/input</path> (or <path>/dev/input/mice</path>). In either case you
330	can check if the devices do represent your mouse by checking the output of those
331	files when you move your mouse. To end the session press <c>Ctrl-C</c>.
332	</p>	562	<p>
333
334	<pre caption="Checking the device files">
335	# <i>cat /dev/input</i>
336	<comment>(Don't forget to press Ctrl-C to end this)</comment>
337	</pre>
338
339	<p>
340	If your mouse isn't detected, verify if all the necessary modules are loaded.
341	</p>
342
343	<p>
344	If your mouse is detected, fill in the device in the appropriate
345	<e>InputDevice</e> section. In the next example you'll see we also set two other
346	options: <c>Protocol</c> (which lists the mouse protocol to be used - most users
347	will use PS/2 or IMPS/2) and <c>ZAxisMapping</c> (which allows for the
348	mousewheel (if applicable) to be used).
349	</p>
350
351	<pre caption="Changing the mouse settings in Xorg">
352	Section "InputDevice"
353	Identifier "TouchPad Mouse"
354	Driver "mouse"
355	Option "CorePointer"
356	<i>Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"</i>
357	<i>Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"</i>
358	<i>Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"</i>
359	EndSection
360	</pre>
361
362	<p>
363	Run <c>startx</c> and be happy about the result :) Congratulations, you now	563	Run <c>startx</c> and be happy about the result. Congratulations, you now
364	(hopefully) have a working Xorg on your system. The next step is to remove this	564	(hopefully) have a working Xorg on your system. The next step is to install a
365	ugly lightweight window manager and use a high-feature one (or even a desktop	565	useful window manager (or even a desktop environment) such as KDE or GNOME, but
366	environment) such as KDE or GNOME, but that's not part of this guide :)	566	that's not part of this guide.
367	</p>	567	</p>
368		568
369	</body>	569	</body>
370	</section>	570	</section>
371	</chapter>	571	</chapter>
		572
372	<chapter>	573	<chapter>
373	<title>Resources</title>	574	<title>Resources</title>
374	<section>	575	<section>
375	<title>Creating and Tweaking xorg.conf</title>	576	<title>Creating and Tweaking xorg.conf</title>
376	<body>	577	<body>
377		578
378	<p>	579	<p>
379	First of all, <c>man 5 xorg.conf</c> provides a quick yet complete reference	580	First of all, <c>man xorg.conf</c> and <c>man evdev</c> provide quick yet
380	about the syntaxis used by the configuration file. Be sure to have it open on a	581	complete references about the syntax used by these configuration files. Be sure
381	terminal near you when you edit your configuration file!	582	to have them open on a terminal near you when you edit your configuration
382	</p>	583	files!
383
384	<p>	584	</p>
385	A second point of resources on your system is the	585
386	<path>/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/doc</path> directory with various <path>README</path>'s	586	<p>
387	for individual graphical chipsets.	587	Also, be sure to look at <path>/etc/X11/xorg.conf.example</path>; you may wish
		588	to copy this and use it as a foundation for writing your own
		589	<path>xorg.conf</path>.
		590	</p>
		591
		592	<p>
		593	You may find the X.org <uri link="http://www.x.org/wiki/FAQ">FAQ</uri> provided
		594	on their website, in addition to their other documentation.
388	</p>	595	</p>
389		596
390	<p>	597	<p>
391	There are also many online resources on editing <path>xorg.conf</path>. We only	598	There are also many online resources on editing <path>xorg.conf</path>. We only
392	list few of them here, be sure to <uri link="http://www.google.com">Google</uri>	599	list few of them here, be sure to <uri link="http://www.google.com">Google</uri>
393	for more :) As <path>xorg.conf</path> and <path>XF86Config</path> (the	600	for more.
394	configuration file for the XFree86 project) use the	601	</p>
395	same syntaxis for most configuration options and more information about	602
396	<path>XF86Config</path> is available, we'll list those resources as well.	603	</body>
		604	</section>
		605	<section>
		606	<title>Other resources</title>
		607	<body>
		608
397	</p>	609	<p>
		610	More information about installing and configuring various graphical desktop
		611	environments and applications can be found in the <uri
		612	link="/doc/en/?catid=desktop">Gentoo Desktop Documentation Resources</uri>
		613	section of our documentation.
		614	</p>
398		615
399	<ul>	616	<p>
400	<li>	617	If you're upgrading to xorg-server-1.6 from an earlier version, then be sure to
401	<uri link="http://tldp.org/HOWTO/XFree-Local-multi-user-HOWTO/">The XFree	618	read the <uri
402	Local Multi-User HOWTO</uri>	619	link="/proj/en/desktop/x/x11/xorg-server-1.6-upgrade-guide.xml">migration
403	</li>	620	guide</uri>.
404	<li>	621	</p>
405	<uri
406	link="http://www-106.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/os-dw-linuxxwin-i.html">An
407	Introduction to XFree 4.x</uri> by Chris Houser
408	</li>
409	</ul>
410		622
411	</body>	623	</body>
412	</section>	624	</section>
413	</chapter>	625	</chapter>
414	</guide>	626	</guide>

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