need some X help, seems to be missing

sporkydonkey · 08-22-2004, 09:47 AM

I searched to see if I was double posting this but I wasn't able to find anything about missing Xorg or XFree on a new install of Slackware 10.

I've read through alot of posts on many different web sites about where the new XFree like software is locted on Slackware 10. Except its not there on the install I just competed.

I followed Grogan's install guide over at bitbenders and too the differences between his and mine for changes in the versions. I then searched for info on xf86config and leraned that SW10 doesnt use it, it uses xorg.

So I went looking for xorg. I don't have a X11 directory under /etc , I do however have one under /usr but there are no xorg files there, only some directories.

Is it possible I missed something? Is there a way to install X if I do not have it on my system? Am I just retarded and am not able to locate X?

I am new to linux installations, this is my first. I have a console knowledge of Irix from work and can move around in the shell fairly well.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

SporkyD

Mephisto · 08-22-2004, 10:10 AM

If you used the default Slack 10 Disks and there is not a /etc/X11 directory then X is not installed, or at the least not installed correctly. Mount CD1 and install the X packages from the slackware/<x packages directory> chances are the subdir is x but I don't have my CD set to check.

sporkydonkey · 08-22-2004, 11:02 AM

Loaded the cd. Went to /slackware/x dir and ran a installpkg *.tgz.

It que'd up and appeared to be installing, however still no X11 dir under /etc.

There is a /usr/X11 dir but it has no files in it.

Mephisto · 08-22-2004, 11:42 AM

Let's start at the basics then, what X packages you DO have installed. Can you post the results of this please:

Code:

ls /var/log/packages/x11*

I have a few more packages than is strictly necessary but here is my result

Code:

/var/log/packages/x11-6.7.0-i486-4
/var/log/packages/x11-devel-6.7.0-i486-4
/var/log/packages/x11-docs-6.7.0-noarch-1
/var/log/packages/x11-docs-html-6.7.0-noarch-1
/var/log/packages/x11-fonts-100dpi-6.7.0-noarch-1
/var/log/packages/x11-fonts-cyrillic-6.7.0-noarch-1
/var/log/packages/x11-fonts-misc-6.7.0-noarch-1
/var/log/packages/x11-fonts-scale-6.7.0-noarch-1
/var/log/packages/x11-xnest-6.7.0-i486-1
/var/log/packages/x11-xprt-6.7.0-i486-1
/var/log/packages/x11-xvfb-6.7.0-i486-1

really the one of importance is "x11-6.7.0-i486-4" though you will need fonts as well. Once we get those installed we can worry about a Window Manager or Desktop.

sporkydonkey · 08-22-2004, 11:56 AM

I have those exacted same files shown when I execute that list.

Hmm. I feel every inept - lol. I am on a Windows box right now with the linux box sitting right next to it. It is connected to the internet but I know nothing of being able to runa browser from the shell.

Mephisto · 08-22-2004, 12:06 PM

If you have those packages listed as installed and nothing in your /etc/X11 directory then something is very wrong. Not just a little, either you deleted the directory by accident, the packages are corrupt on your CD, or your install itself is corrupt.

do a "rempovepkg x11-6.7.0-i486-4" and see what comes up. My guess is it will generate a lot of errors but remove x11 from your installed list. Then mount your CD1 (again) find the x11-6.7.0-i486-4.tgz package and do an "installpkg x11-6.7.0-i486-4.tgz" and then check the /etc/X11 (note the capital "X"). If it is still empty or missing then I am guessing something is wrong with the CD, try grabbing the package from a mirror.

Once you do have the base package installed correctly you will likely need to remove and reinstall the other packages as well.

Mephisto · 08-22-2004, 12:14 PM

Can you post a link to the guide you followed? Perhaps it would make more sense if I knew what you did. If there is nothing installed on your system but default Slack 10 then you might try starting over and following insyte's tutorial, which seems to be looked upon favorably. http://www.insyte.uni.cc/

sporkydonkey · 08-22-2004, 12:23 PM

Ok now im very confused. I did the rempack and it echo'd deleting alot of files in the /etc/X11 dir. Then I instpack and it echo'd installing the files.

So i go into /etc and there is no X11 dir. But I type #cd X11 and it places me in there. and all the files are there. Can it be that this dir is hidden some how? even to root?

Mephisto · 08-22-2004, 12:52 PM

Can you see other things in the X11 directory? I can't think of a reason just X11 would not be visible. The most likely cause is X11 is in caps therefore at the very top of ls and going off the screen try "ls /etc |less" as root or as a normal user. The first three entries should be DID_COLORS, HOSTNAME, and X11.

But either way you have X installed so try "startx" and see what happens.

sporkydonkey · 08-22-2004, 12:59 PM

Wow I am a tard. That was it Mephisto. I just couldnt see the directory. Thank you for your generous help and your time. I gotta get this usb mouse working so I can be a little more efficent with this system.

Thank you!

Mephisto · 08-22-2004, 01:43 PM

Not a tard, just learning. We all had to do it some time. You searched first, tried to solve it yourself, then asked for help. That's the way I wish all questions were asked...

IRT your USB mouse, if it is not responding try changing this line in your xorg.conf

Code:

    Option "Device"      "/dev/mouse"

Change To

    Option "Device"      "/dev/input/mice"

If that does not work search the forum, it's been covered (especially scroll wheels <shudder>)