It keeps giving me an error saying it can't open /dev/psaux. It says no such file, I've tried the suggestion in the docs but it doesn't help, I can't even find the file either. I'm using xf86configure to create the /etc/X11?XF86Config file is this correct, why won't it recognize the core pointer of the PS/2 mouse? X won't start because of this. Any ideas would be appreciated.

"I can't even find the file either. "

Log in as root and create /dev/psaux using the mknod command. It should be a character device, with a major number of 10 and a minor number of 1. Set permissions to 600. See:
man mknod


___________________________________
Be prepared. Create a LifeBoat CD.
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Steve Stites

I'm afraid I don't have the skills to do that yet, I did successfully install Gentoo once, I had no problems getting X to work. Why is it different with Arch? I would think it would be the same, is it because Arch uses devfs?

devfs should create /dev/psaux for you if you are using a ps2 mouse
if your using a usb mouse it should be like /dev/input/mice

give us ome more info and someone should be able to help you

I have a PS/2 mouse. I have followed the docs from Arch about installing from a CD. I used my existing linux swap for the swap partition and used an existing linux partition for the root partition, the CD did not ask to create a boot partition. I then installed the base system. Then I installed the kernel, I did not do anything to the config files section. (Maybe thats the problem) I am afraid at this point to install a bootloader from the CD because I'm afraid I will lose my existing Fedora install. Then I just rebooted and typed the command to boot into the kernel from the cd. Arch Linux loads and then I logged in as root and tried to configure X. Somehow I have a problem with /dev/psaux, X won't start. There is no /dev/psaux file, Maybe I have to do a compete install, instead of booting from the cd, Thanks for the encouragement.

"Maybe I have to do a compete install, instead of booting from the cd,"

Before you do a reinstall try logging in as root and type in these commands:
mknod /dev/psaux c 10 1
chmod 600 /dev/psaux

Then try to configure your mouse and see what happens.

___________________________________
Be prepared. Create a LifeBoat CD.
http://users.rcn.com/srstites/LifeBo...home.page.html

Steve Stites

Hi frontier1, What I do with devfs is follow the links. Do a:
cd /dev
and have a look in there for /dev/psaux and when you find it, it should have a link to the way devfs labels its device's.
the link should be something like /dev/psaux -> /misc/psaux
then cd to /misc/psaux and you have your device which you can then add to /etc/X11/XF86Config by opening the file up with an editor (I use vim you can give that a try if you want).

This is my XF86Config mouse details:
#Core pointers input device section

Section "Input Device"

#Identifier and Driver

Identifier "Mouse1"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "PS/2"
Option "Device" "/dev/misc/psaux

This should work for any type of mouse just have a look around in /dev. Im only relatively new to linux so I hope this helps.

If none of the above work:

Edit your "/etc/devfsd.conf" file, put this at the bottom:

After you do that, as root type "killall -HUP devfsd".
Then try starting x again.
Also make sure you edit your ".xinitrc" file in your home dir for what window manager you want to use. example:

Hi i am new to Arch linux. i just installed Arch Linux 0.5.
I couldn't start X using startx.
Where can i find .xinitrc to start the Gnome as my default windows manager?
what file should i edit in order to start the Gnome?

Thanks.

.xinitrc can be found in your home dir. (aka /home/username/.xinitrc)

As for getting gnome to start.. just add this line:

Make sure everything else is commented out. (#exec startkde)

I hope this helps!