Minimal installation but now need GUI?

WinSrev · 02-12-2006, 07:31 AM

Hello everybody, i'm new to Debian, infact new to all linux software but Debian seemed a good place to start.

Okay, ive got Debain running in a virtual environment on Windows but i need to get the display rather than just the command line, how do i do this without downloading the bootable disc, I chose the minimal installation so is there maybe someway i can install the GUI (i think thats what it is) through the command line?

Thanks.

kloss · 02-12-2006, 08:14 AM

Hello

Install X :
aptitude install x-window-system-core or (x-window-system)

Install a destkop environment or a wm, for instance :
aptitude install wmii

Then Create a ~/.xinitrc with :
exec <name of your wm>

Run startx.

++

WinSrev · 02-12-2006, 08:44 AM

Thanks, i did the first 2 but the last 2 i cant seem to do, what do you mean by <name of your wm>? and the Run command cannot be found.

kloss · 02-12-2006, 08:51 AM

I meant:

"exec wmii" (without quotes) if you installed wmii.

or

"exec kde" (without quotes) if you installed kde... etc.

You don't have to type "Run startx" but only "startx" (without quotes).

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WinSrev · 02-12-2006, 09:47 AM

Thanks, when i type startx i get the following error:
img139.imageshack.us/img139/3184/error26ho.png

Dead Parrot · 02-12-2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

when i type startx i get the following error:
img139.imageshack.us/img139/3184/error26ho.png

First, check that you have psmouse in /etc/modules (type "cat /etc/modules"). If not, add it there and then run (as root) "modprobe psmouse".

Then install the mdetect package (aptitude install mdetect) and run "dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86". Thanks to the mdetect package, you should now get a chance to let debconf configure your mouse automatically.

WinSrev · 02-12-2006, 03:18 PM

Thanks for all your help guys, its all working but how do i change the screen size? thanks.