XFree86 problem while installing FreeBSD 5.2.1
 

In the beginning of the installation everything seemed fine, until i tried to set up my mouse. My "MS Explorer" wasn't automatically or manually recognized, so i disabled it. When the installation finished GUI didn't start automatically and when i wrote "startkde" in the command line a "cannot start display" and some other messages having to do with XFree appeared on the screen.
Then i remembered that by mistake, during installation i answered negative to a question asking me to configure XFree. So, i repeated the installation. I used another mouse, which was eventually recognized and i entered the XFree86 configuaration menu. It didn't work; my display went black for a second and then a (hardware) message on black background appeared probably coming from my ATI Radeon 7500 "Video mode not supported".

The same problem with XFree had appeared with Debian 3.0r2 installation (when i typed "startkde"), but this was a stable version (with an older XFree86 version probably). However, i am now using a current FreeBSD version,with XServer which supprots my Radeon 7500.

The "ati" server will get you started. You can select the "radeon" driver. I bet your problem lies mostly with another section, though. What is your Horizontal sync and Vertical refresh set to in the XF86Config(-4) file? Be sure they are set to what your monitor can handle. I find that the default is sometimes set too high. If a range, try starting off lower (the datasheet for your monitor should help with the real values).

Although I have not done this before, you might want to try to have your setup autodetected. It'll write a file that you can sub in for your present config.

Unfortunately no luck. I also tried to do the setup manually with the exact specifications given in my " Ati Radeon 7500" and " Samsung Syncmaster 172v LCD Monitor" manuals.
I would also like to add two questions having to do with my problem:
Why does XFree86 of even older versions from Linux distros does the setup right in my PC?
Can I use an existing XFree86 file from a linux distro, which has been already installed in my PC, and copy it into the right folder in FreeBSD?
If yes must the file be generated from the same XFree86 version in order my previous idea to work right?

you should be able to reuse your config. Be sure to change the mouse device name if you use a linux config.

I tried the "startkde" on my 4.10 box, and it also complains, as well as making my wheel mouse quit working when I do get into kde. Utilizing "startx" works.

What is the KDE complaint? I often have seen kde messages that didn't interfere with startup of the environment. Can you post the mouse section of your xfree86 config file? What mouse do you have? Mine's a 3 button optical scroll mouse. I picked it because MS makes excellent mice and keyboards (that have good *nix compatibility) and it uses the IMPS/2 protocol, but I have seen it assigned the ExplorerPS/2 protocol as well and it worked.

I have been able to re-create the non scrolling mouse issue, using the command ..startkde, KDE fails to load, so I use...startx (like I have always done), KDE loads, but wheel wont work. Rebooting puts things back in order and use ...startx and all works well...as always.

my mouse is a "generic" set up as option auto on /dev/sysmouse.

Do you have the line in the mouse stanza?

yes, as well as:

Option "Buttons" "5"

Wouldn't work without that option.

Thanks to everybody.
I managed to configure the XFree86 (i also installed the new edition 4.4.0) and it works fine using the "startx" command in the command line. But there probably should be a graphical login menu, where i could also choose the Desktop or Window Manager (KDE, Gnome, windomaker,etc) every time i log in. How could i fix that?

I'm sorry; i forgot to mention that with "startx" i enter KDE by default (it has been probably been chosen as default the last time i ran "sysintall")

Its been a while since I had FreeBSD on my box, but I think the same file exists as in Linux. Look for /etc/inittab or something to the same effect. If you want a graphical login, it may be as simple as changing the runlevel default from 3 to 5 in that file. And, you'll want kdm or xdm listed on your initscripts as well. Be sure, of course, that you have a login manager of some sort so it can be done. Check for xdm or KDEs own KDM. If they're not installed, then pkg_add the one of your choice (or make it from the ports). When istalling, the process will usually ask if you want it in use by default, which means you don't have to dig into the config. Hope this sheds light on things.

If you were trying to use an XFree version < 4.4.0 then you would have had problems getting a 7500 working. It's only really been fixed with 4.4.0.


As for a graphical login manager, take a look at

http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO...ok/x11-wm.html