dpkg-reconfigure doesn't run
 

I need to reconfigure xfree86. All the instructions I've seen say to run the command dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg. When I do that there's no configuration dialog. The command just returns to the command prompt.

I've rebooted and run the command as root. I've removed the xfree86 software and reinstalled it. Can anyone tell me why this is happening and how to get dpkg-reconfigure to run?

Thank you.

Are you running Debian? On a recent Lenny install, I found the Xserver auto-configuration just did not work at all for the nvidia video board. I ended up doing a manual configuration, but found some better solutions later. I can't remember the package name, but Lenny repositories now have the nvidia (non-free) drivers as well as a package that will do an auto-config of the nvidia drivers, IIRC.

I should have said I'm working with Sarge. I got Sarge on a CD that came with the book I'm using to learn about Linux. I found out after I started working with it that it is no longer the supported stable version. It worked well for most things, but I'm making no progress with the XFree86 configuration. Another thread suggested I try Etch, and I will probably do that.

I'm not sure where to look for information about manually configuring XFree86 or other ways to configure it. Do you have books or websites to suggest as sources of information?

You really should use Lenny, especially if you are having video issues. Etch is about 2 years old already. Lenny is about to become the new stable. Really, you should probably grab a weekly build of the "testing" netinstall CD from here:

http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/

This will generally give you the best chance of successful auto-detection of hardware and autoconfiguration.

Unless this is a server or other mission-critical application, I'd suggest pointing your sources list to "testing" and just stick with that. It's not as bleeding edge as it sounds.

I'm using a training machine so I should take a little risk and use Lenny on it. Thanks for the link to the Lenny CD.

You've been very helpful. Thanks a lot.