Can't create new XF86Config-4 in Debian
 

For some reason 'dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86' won't overwrite (or create a new) /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file for me anymore. I've been using the old XF86Config for some months now since I was able to set that one up (basically) with xf86config and then muddle through editing it by hand, changing options for the nvidia driver, etc. I tried the directions at the top of the XF86Config-4 file (with md5sums and stuff) but that doesn't make any difference. Neither does using 'dpkg-reconfigure -plow xserver-xfree86' as someone suggested. Should I just learn how to write my own XF86Config-4 file, then? Any guides on this a little more helpful than the man page (nvidia-specific especially)?

what's the option you want to change?
it's not hard to change this file to your needs without using dpkg-reconfigure (afaik dpkg won't override your config because you made any changes in it? maybe there is an switch to cange that..)

sl mritch.

At the end of the dpkg reconfigure, I believe it shows the default to where it is going to write the config file. What does that say and can you just change it to read ...config-4 instead of XF86Config???

if you're using X version >=4 (you definitely are..) the configuration-file is called XF86Config-4. earlier versions of the xserver named it just XF86Config.
see "man XF86Config-4" for syntax/options of that file & "man nv" for infos 'bout nvidia's driver-options in this file.

sl mritch.

Re: Can't create new XF86Config-4 in Debian
 

You can simply run xf86config to regenerate an XF86Config file for you then just use mv like so:

At the end of configuration you get this:

Let's say you called it /etc/X11/XF86Config

Then just move the original out of the way and put your new one into place.

Simple! :)

>>what's the option you want to change? >>
All of them:D I'm just frustrated that Debian won't create a new config file, and I would rather use the newer XF86Config-4 than the XF86Config file, since someday that won't be used anymore.

>>At the end of the dpkg reconfigure, I believe it shows the default to where it is going to write the config file. What does that say and can you just change it to read ...config-4 instead of XF86Config???>>
It doesn't say where it's going to write to, it doesn't even say if it fails to write the file at all.

>>if you're using X version >=4 (you definitely are..) the configuration-file is called XF86Config-4. earlier versions of the xserver named it just XF86Config.
see "man XF86Config-4" for syntax/options of that file & "man nv" for infos 'bout nvidia's driver-options in this file.>>
I already knew this (did you read what I posted?)

Finally, richenbacharus: I already did use xf86config to generate the old 3.x XF86Config file. XFree86 4.x uses the old file if you don't have XF86Config-4, so I moved that out of the way. I don't think renaming the 3.x version file to the 4.x version would work very well though. Isn't the reason they gave them different names because the syntax changed significantly?

just a note, I finally managed to get my nvidia drivers installed the other day, and am now running kde. I pulled up XF86config-4 in Kedit, and there was a thing at the top about auto updateing being turned off if you manually edit the file, yet it also gave instructions of how to turn it back on. it may be worth while just reading the #comments at the top of the config file.

hope that helps

I probably wan't clear about this on my first post, but I followed the directions at the top of the XF86Config-4 file and Debian still won't replace the file.

Hi,

I've had that type of problem. when you chenge you Xf86Config-4 file by éditing it, it changes the md5sum than Dpkg-reconfigure won't ovewrite it.

You can type # md5sum /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 > /var/lib/sfree86/XF86Config-4.md5sum

It's written here http://www.bxlug.be/articles/197 but in french (sorry for that ; )

Hope this helps

Thanks everybody, turns out I was backing up the md5sum to the wrong directory:o