Installed Xfce from repository? , but what then? where is it,and how do I wake it up?
 

I've used the Instal/Remove Software thing a few times(in MANDRIVA 09.1), but it's never clear whether I've installed main program (or if that's even a relevant concept!) or if I have ticked all the files, or subprograms that I need.

I just (maybe) acquired Xfce Dsktp Envr, and I did find it in Documents;

Is that where I should always look??

And how can I get from Xfce being a page with 40 files, to being a working desktop?
I tried Alt/F2 and typed xfce, and was pleased with a thus-named cog icon, but it only delivered the page of files again.

I looked at helpfiles, but I don't think they stoop to my levels of ignorance.

I'm quite O>L>D but I may have 20 years, goddam ,maybe 40, left, and really do want to become as adept in linux as formerly with xp.

OK , so I'm off to memorise some command language I guess!

Age is an attitude..........Or, my mother's favorite saying: "old age is a question of mind over matter---if you don't mind, then it doesn't matter...."

When you boot up the Login manager (eg KDM or GDM) will normally give you an option to select the session type.

Thanks pixellany.My boot shows:

Mandriva 09 Spring
ditto(safemode)
desktop i586 dated 2.6.09
ditto dated something else

It only displays briefly before proceeding to load Spring so I have to restart to write down what I haven't glimpsed, but you prob. get the idea.

Point being, no sign of Xfce;
Anyway, I'll check out the Grub/boot link and the other.
Hopefully will find how to slow the boot display below hummingbird speed too:)

Not the GRUB screen---the login window. After Mandriva boots up, you have a login window to enter your username and password. There should be a control there to select the type of session.

no, no log-in window.
In case it's helpful - sometimes when I'm working, a pop-up asks for root p/word or sometimes user p/word, but never when I turn it on, just starts up to full desktop function.
Don't know if I'm working as root, or how to know. I know I shouldn't.

I see. So when you boot it goes straight into the graphic desktop without asking for user name and password? If this is the case you should have a settings somewhere that specify the default user that is used on boot. Somewhere in the same area you should also find a session type setting. I am not sure if Mandriva uses KDE or Gnome by default, but you should now see XFCE among the choices for session type.

Mons
PS! As pixellany says this is not to do with Grub. Look in system settings (or similar)

Yes, straight to desktop; KDE I have.
Your "somewhere" gets to the heart of my planned next question to plague these forums, but here and now seems relevant.

It may not be a good question, but it's a burning one.
I would love to know what the 20 directories in root(slash) are each for, or...
at least which 6 or 12 a newbie needs to have a grip on,or...

where I could look to find such a revelation (because opening them all up, and then the subs, is too much info to begin to make sense of.

Meantime, I'll go trawling, and keep one eye on LQ. Thanks

oops, just spotted your P.S., sorry.
(but burning question burns on):)

For a newbie I wouldn't recommend this sort of thing. Better find it in the graphical config tools first.

Someone who has KDE in front of them might know Precisely. I think you have a Control Centre application in your menues. I would look in there for desktop, kdm etc.

Mons

thanks thejims, I'll give that a go, if I can't find in control panel,

I found in Control Centre / Boot/ Display Manager a choice between
KDE display manager and X display manager,
The intro says[jeez i wish i could keep control centre open while typing here]
"X11 Display Mgr allows to graphically log in with the X window system running, and supports running several different X (graphical??) sessions..at the same time",
then gives choice of KDM or XDM, (not X11)
So I changed to XDM, and got a user login on restart.
Is this X anything to do with Xfce desktop?
It wouldn't let me connect to net, so I went and changed it back to square one, KDM, so I could get back here.

PS: there was at least one diff on desktop, in that the shutdown button didnt have the usual options.
ULP did I drive straight thru Xfce without noticing it??

I found this after a small search on the mandriva site: http://expert.mandriva.com/question/100927

So what you want is the Mandriva Control Center (MCC) ->Boot tab. Set favorite desktop. Hopefully you'll find XFCE as a choice there. The X display manager is something else, it should say XFCE.

Mons

RESOLVED
Yes,
ControlRoom-Boot-Set Up AutoLogin-scroll Default Desktop.

I found desktops I didn't know I had.
Thanks again, mons,thejims,and pixellany