How to change from gnome to kde desktop?

sirius57 · 12-14-2009, 03:23 PM

I am new to Debian and have a new install. How does one change the desktop from gnome to kde? Also, I would like to change the screen resolution, but under preferences > screen resolution, the settngs are blank, ie, no resolutions to choose from. This Debian install is from the latest net install iso.

pljvaldez · 12-14-2009, 03:38 PM

Basically, to change to KDE, you just need to install the kde packages and then logout and select KDE from the Session at the login screen (gdm or kdm).

Was that the latest "stable" netinstall (i.e. Debian Lenny 5.0)? That will change what packages you need to install to get kde. In Lenny, install the package kde for a full desktop. In Squeeze (testing) or Sid (unstable), you have to install kde-full. If you just want a basic KDE desktop without all the extra KDE programs installed, then there's a different package to install on each.

evo2 · 12-14-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirius57

Also, I would like to change the screen resolution, but under preferences > screen resolution, the settngs are blank, ie, no resolutions to choose from. This Debian install is from the latest net install iso.

What is the output of

Code:

xrandr

Also, what video device do you have and what driver are you using?
Hint: lspci will help you answer the first of these questions and /var/log/Xorg.0.log will help with the second.

Cheers,

Evo2.

craigevil · 12-15-2009, 05:48 AM

KdeDebInstall - Debian Wiki - http://wiki.debian.org/KdeDebInstall

Xorg - Debian Wiki - http://wiki.debian.org/Xorg
Chances are you need to create a xorg.conf file and add the modlines for the resolutions you want to use.
XStrikeForce/HowToRandR12 - Debian Wiki - http://wiki.debian.org/XStrikeForce/HowToRandR12

Brains · 12-15-2009, 03:39 PM

I believe aptitude will install KDE in Lenny using the command posted in the first link in craigevil's post, but in Squeeze aptitude will bark, you can use: aptitude install kde-minimal, or kde-standard which is currently still kde-minimal. Then after logout and login it should be available in the "session type" menu during login if your user is not automatically logged in. If you already installed KDE, it should already be available in the session menu.

You can also run command: dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg to run a graphical xorg.conf reconfiguration tool to add different resolutions, just hit enter to accept default values for all questions except where you would like to change things like adding resolutions, or giving the video card a model name etc.
Sometimes it is necessary to install proprietary drivers for your video card to get extra resolutions.

Cage47 · 12-15-2009, 05:50 PM

use the netinst cd.
Install like normal.
when you get to the tasksel section unselect the desktop environment.
(this will install a base system)
when the system finishes and reboots, log in as root (This will be commandline, no graphics, don't be afraid)
then enter this command (minus the quotes) "apt-get install kdm konqueror kmix"
(this will install a basic kde install)
from there use aptitude or synaptic to install all you want
(kde will install KRandRtray this will allow you to change your screen settings)

sirius57 · 12-16-2009, 02:18 PM

Thanks for the replies. I installed the kde desktop, but I could not see 'session type' on the log in screen because my resolution was out of wack, so I had to pan the screen to see it. The screen resolution was due to a needed driver. Now I can see the entire desktop. The net install with minimal kde looks interesting for a future install.