I burned free BSD to disc and went home to install and was all excited to try out my new system.Now when I did the install I did a standard install that they recommended.Now first time I type startx well I never configured anything so no x.Now I have tried twice since then and do startx to get a error message about the driver I picked for video card.Will someone please help me get this right so I can get a gui.my motherboard is a Abit NF7-M Rev 2 NForce2 Chipset with onboard VID/SND/LAN.Need to know drivers and video to pick for card so to get it right because I seem to keep screwing it up.

Let's start simple, which BSD and what version? Do you know what version of XFree86 you're using?

Edit: whoops, ok FreeBSD (note the spelling). Still need version.

Edit2: assuming you're using 5.x, look here:
http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO...dbook/x11.html

For future reference, the FreeBSD handbook may be found at:
http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO...books/handbook

and it should be the first place you look to see if your question is already covered.

As root, run the following commands:

1. XFree86 -configure

2. XFree86 -xf86config /root/XF86Config.new

When you have X running, press Ctrl+Alt+<- buttons, then:

3. cp /root/XF86Config.new /etc/X11/XF86Config

Then use an editor to edit /etc/X11/XF86Config. Assuming you can use vi:

4. vi /etc/X11/XF86Config

Edit the following parts (by adding):

Section "Monitor"
HorizSync xx-xx <--add your values
VertRefresh xx-xx <--add your values

Section "Screen"
DefaultDepth 24

SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"
EndSubSection

Save file, and run startx. Good luck.

Or you can run sysinstall as root and go to Configure -> XFree86, and follow the prompts.

Tuvok gave you a detailed answer
you should read the online handbook sometimes...

Ok I did run configure and hey had KDE up but now for a new problem.During the install I configured the mouse and mouse moved fine and I told it yes mouse is moving.Now when KDE was loading mouse cursor was in center of screen and once loaded mouse arrow was no where to be found but moving the mouse I got the screen flashing on right side and if I got it in right spot I would get box up like if I right clicked on my desktop but I never clicked..But no arrow to see just screen like flashing on right side.Anyone have any idea what this problem is.But yeah was nice to see kde but being no mouse well couldn't do much Thank You

lmanwarren,

Can you post here your /etc/X11/XF86Config file? Did you change your resolution by pressing Ctrls+Alt plus + or -? In that case, you might want to use just 2 modes in /etc/X11/XF86Config. For instance, if you have this entry;

Modes "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"

change it to;

Modes "800x600" "640x480"

or any 2 combination.

Ok went and did new install and hey looks good and have fwmm.Now I do startx to get to gui.I installed kde and gnome and want to start one or the other with startx.I'm new to bsd and well with fwmm its all new to me and not sure about editing files yet or do I have to do it from the command line.I must say fwmm was very plain and didn't see text editors or anything else but maybe I'm missing something.Oh by the way I downloaded my iso from linuxiso.org and my x version is 4.3 .

lmanwarren,

There's a file named .xinitrc, it's a hidden file found in one's home directory like /home/lmanwarren. If you don't have it, create one. Now, when you do that, edit it to start whatever window manager (like fwmm) or desktop (like kde) manager you want. Just add one of the following entries (the one you have):

exec startkde
exec fwmm
exec startxfce4
exec icewm
exec gnome-session
exec fluxbox

The other thing, if you want to copy and post your /etc/X11/XF86Config file, you can use Mozilla or Opera to display it, then copy/paste it to the forum. For instance, if you type /etc/X11/XF86Config in address bar and click go, it will open the file. Good luck.