Debian 4 Etch: Changing Desktop from Gnome to XFCE using apt-get how-to

Heru-kun · 04-27-2008, 10:53 AM

i have a Laptop with Debian 4 (codename Etch) with gnome desktop installed and i want to change to xfce. I read that xfce 4.4 can be downloaded with apt-get, but i need to know HOW to do it. It would be really helpful if someone posts the necesary commands.

bcwagne · 04-27-2008, 02:54 PM

It's a simple matter of logging in as root, or using sudo to run the following commands:

Code:

apt-get install xfce4

or by using Synaptic or Aptitude to search for and install the correct packages.

Once they are installed, all you have to do is log out, change your session to XFCE, and you are ready to go.

Good luck.

Heru-kun · 04-28-2008, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcwagne

It's a simple matter of logging in as root, or using sudo to run the following commands:

Code:

apt-get install xfce4

or by using Synaptic or Aptitude to search for and install the correct packages.

Once they are installed, all you have to do is log out, change your session to XFCE, and you are ready to go.

Good luck.

Thx, i succeeded at doing it. I got one more question, and i don't wanna make a second thread for this, as it goes into the same subject:

After enabling and changing to XFCE, i want to enable some visual effects, but using the configuration menus, i just can't find the right place to customize and/or add some cool visual effects. I want to use a "Red Fire" set of effects i saw on a guy's laptop at a convention, but i don't know how. (thank god i post it in the newbie section, i'd be burned for this...)

P.S.sry for asking such lame things.

bcwagne · 04-29-2008, 04:36 PM

No problem. First you have to enable compositing in xorg. Add the following to your xorg.conf file (assuming you have an nvidia video card.):

Code:

Section "Extensions"
	Option 	"Composite" "Enable"
EndSection

Add the following to the devices section of your xorg.conf file:

Code:

Option 		"RenderAccel" 		"true"
	Option 		"AllowGLXWithComposite" "true"

The first section needs to be added whether you have an nvidia or ATI card. The second section is only for nvidia cards.

Make sure you have the proper drivers installed.

Once you have added these lines, restart X (Ctrl+Alt+Backspace), then go in to XFCE. Find the settings manager, then click "Window Manager Tweaks". Under the compositing tab, you need to click "enable compositing" (or something like that). Then you can change your various settings the way you like them.

Good luck. Let me know if it doesnt' work. I have an nvidia card, so ATI you'll have to do a little searching.

Heru-kun · 05-01-2008, 05:16 PM

My Laptop has a Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 card, don't know if the config will work with these too...