startx command not found
 

OK,

I decided after installing with netinst and selecting the desktop packages that I don't really need all the stuff that comes with the desktop. So, I formatted my HDD and went through an install but this time I choose the manual package selection. This only lists packages for linux' CLI and not for dektop GUI environments. I figured that's OK...I'll just install X, Openbox, etc... later on. So, I install all of the "base" progs and rebooted in as root (to make sure I have the rights). Then I do a "apt-get update" to get an updated package list. Then "apt-get dist-update" and that runs fine. I then do a "apt-get install xserver-xfree86" and that seems to install perfectly without probs. Next I type "apt-get install openbox" again everything installs and returns no errors. So then I type startx (I alrdy made the .xinit or whatever in my home to start openbox on that command) but bash returns with an error saying the command doesn't exist. I get this error in both root and my user account. When I try "openbox" I get a "can't open display" error.

things I've done:
1) #dpkg -l....lists the xserver in there
2) #dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86....runs great and I did it correctly.
3) tried searching on how to add a bash command (this may a given for all u vets but I'm coming from windows->Mandrake(great distro and very easy)->debian) in other words I'm a :newbie:


What I'm trying to accomplish is a simple desktop environment (openbox) without all the stuff you get from kde/gnome. I just don't need any of it. It's not that I don't have the room...I just don't want all those apps.

So, did i forget to install another package?...or perhaps I need to do configuring with the xserver?

any help would be fantastic. :D

apt-get install x-window-server

I ran in to the same problem, and found out that x-window-server was never installed. Hope that does it for you.

cool I'll give that a try

thanx for fast reply

I tried your exact command and apt returned with an error saying it can't find "x-window-server" package.

It's "x-window-system", not "x-window-server".

Try aptitude -- it'll save you from typos, and it shows you depends as well as recommended packages. Aptitude has useful quick help ("?").

You can move the highlighted area in aptitude by using up/down cursor keys and Enter. When you highlight a specific package and press Enter, you get to view its depends and recommended packages. And you get back from this package-specific view to the more general package list view by pressing "q".

busbarn...Dead Parrot

you deserve a beer.

Got it to work and I'm now in Openbox.

Oops...sorry about the system/server thing. Anyways, congrats on your new working system!