Make KDM run .xinitrc or .xsession

asrisk · 07-21-2005, 02:18 AM

Hi folks. This is a simple question with a (hopefully) simple answer.

When I log in graphically via KDM (autologin without password), neither my ~/.xinitrc or ~/.xsession files are run.

If I log in non-graphically and type startx, my ~/.xsession is run. (Yes, .xsession and not .xinitrc. Don't know why.)

~/.xsession says, (recalling from memory):

Code:

#!/bin/sh
xterm &
gkrellm &
xscreensaver &
xsetbg <whatever>
exec fluxbox

How can I make this be run when starting up with KDM?

System is knoppix 3.6 installed to HD, kernel 2.4.27, using Fluxbox.

Cheers,
Andy.

trey85stang · 07-21-2005, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by asrisk
Hi folks. This is a simple question with a (hopefully) simple answer.

When I log in graphically via KDM (autologin without password), neither my ~/.xinitrc or ~/.xsession files are run.

If I log in non-graphically and type startx, my ~/.xsession is run. (Yes, .xsession and not .xinitrc. Don't know why.)

~/.xsession says, (recalling from memory):

Code:

#!/bin/sh xterm & gkrellm & xscreensaver & xsetbg <whatever> exec fluxbox

How can I make this be run when starting up with KDM?

System is knoppix 3.6 installed to HD, kernel 2.4.27, using Fluxbox.

Cheers,
Andy.

Fluxbox has a startup script of it's own. Here is a link to a gentoo fluxbox tutorial about the startup script.

http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Fluxbox...p_Applications

EDIT: .xsession & .xintrc do not lauch from a graphical log in manager, at least in my expierience

asrisk · 07-22-2005, 02:18 AM

Thanks trey85stang. I'll give the startup feature a try. Lots of other interesting stuff in that howto as well - a good find!

trey85stang · 07-22-2005, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by asrisk
Thanks trey85stang. I'll give the startup feature a try. Lots of other interesting stuff in that howto as well - a good find!

No problem, have fun

james.farrow · 07-22-2005, 09:12 AM

I think .xinitrc and .xsession are only used when executing startx from the command line.

asrisk · 07-25-2005, 07:09 AM

Ooookay. The fluxbox startup works fine when I type startx (I have put in my .xinitrc the command "exec startfluxbox" instead of "exec fluxbox") - this is OK.

But logging in via KDM, still none of the applications start. I expect that somewhere, there is a file telling KDM what the command is to start the various window managers. I think I need to find this file, and change "fluxbox" into "startfluxbox". Trouble is I've had a good look around in /etc/X11/kde3/kdm (or something similar - not in front of my Linux box at the moment) and cannot find such a file anywhere.

Any guesses where this information may be squirreled away?

Cheers,
Andy.

trey85stang · 07-26-2005, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by asrisk
Ooookay. The fluxbox startup works fine when I type startx (I have put in my .xinitrc the command "exec startfluxbox" instead of "exec fluxbox") - this is OK.

But logging in via KDM, still none of the applications start. I expect that somewhere, there is a file telling KDM what the command is to start the various window managers. I think I need to find this file, and change "fluxbox" into "startfluxbox". Trouble is I've had a good look around in /etc/X11/kde3/kdm (or something similar - not in front of my Linux box at the moment) and cannot find such a file anywhere.

Any guesses where this information may be squirreled away?

Cheers,
Andy.

Try updatedb and then locate fluxbox, you will get a lot of resulsts... But look for one in the /etc directory. That should be what you are looking for. Finding the load file for the desktop managers is sometimes a PITA, seems like every distro has them in a different spot.

asrisk · 08-01-2005, 06:20 AM

Right - we've got it licked. Eventually.

It turns out that KDM's xsession runs the global Xsession in /etc/X11. This Xsession runs a whole bunch of scripts in /etc/X11/Xsession.d, one of which launches the chosen window manager, which had been passed as $1.

I had to add a bit to catch $1=fluxbox, and execute startfluxbox, instead of simply executing $1.

Thanks to all contributors for your help.

Andy.