Newbie getting into window manager?

nbn792 · 12-23-2003, 08:44 PM

I'm new, and this is my first linux experience. I would like to get into the window manager on my linux system. I believe it was installed when I installed debian, but if not I would like to know how to do that as well.

Anyways, how do I go about getting into the window manager?

Thanks.

miaviator278 · 12-23-2003, 09:26 PM

startx

see man startx, man xinit, man XF86Config
for more details, that should get you started..

nbn792 · 12-23-2003, 09:28 PM

where woudl I enter this?

TheOneAndOnlySM · 12-23-2003, 09:36 PM

are you in a graphical user environment already?
if so, what do you mean by window manager? if you mean a browser, try opening a terminal and typing konqueror or nautilus

if you are at a command prompt with no graphical interface, login as root and type startx

nbn792 · 12-23-2003, 09:41 PM

I'm at a command prompt. I'm logged in as root right now. When I type in startx it says

bash: startx: command not found

slackie1000 · 12-24-2003, 08:45 AM

hi guys,

nbn792 what kind of instalattion you did? Support for graphical interface?
try the usual complete path...
/usr/X11R6/bin/startx - this works for Slack...

Regards

lokee · 12-24-2003, 09:31 AM

And you probably want it to start by default? No?

If so, then log in as 'root'.
Type 'vi /etc/inittab' and press enter.
This will open a file, press the down arrow until you see this line:

id:1:initdefault:
or
id:3:initdefault:

It's easy to find; it's the first line that doesn't begin with a '#'.
Press 'i'
Change it to:

id:5:initdefault:

Then press the following keys one after another ':wq' and hit enter.
Restart, voila!

nbn792 · 12-24-2003, 01:43 PM

Ok, I reinstalled Linux again, being sure to select the desktop manager etc.

Now when I boot the computer it goes through some stuff and then I guess it tries to load the window manager and I just get a black screen for a few minutes then it comes back to a command prompt and automatically tries to enter the window manager again and again. It won't let me do anything.

Now I'm really lost.

nbn792 · 12-24-2003, 01:45 PM

BTW, I believe it's tryingto enter something called GNOME?

nbn792 · 12-24-2003, 01:55 PM

OK I did a little research and it appears my computer is trying to get into my window manager and gnome but there is a problem and it's "looping".

How do I get out of this looping and fix this?

Thanks so much!
Garrett

miaviator278 · 12-24-2003, 04:46 PM

try pressing control + alt + f6 this might take you to a command prompt where you can configure x....

lokee · 12-25-2003, 06:35 AM

What is your graphic card?
This particular problem seems related to the configuration of your graphic card(or monitor?)...
By the way, this should be easy to fix...

lokee · 12-25-2003, 06:42 AM

Hey, I forgot something essential!
Debian doesn't automatically configure X(If I remember right), so while as root, type this:
'xf86cfg'.
It's a graphical utility for configuring X.

nbn792 · 12-25-2003, 07:10 AM

I'm not real sure of the card maker, I just chose the VGA setting to be safe.

I will try that config program.

Thanks for the help!