Has anyone changed from xfree to x.org?

rignes · 07-09-2004, 07:09 PM

Has anyone removed xfree86 from a slack 9.1 install and setup x.org from current in it's place? If so, how did it go? What gotcha's did you run into? What, other than licensing, do you consider the main advantage for x.org over xfree86? Is x.org able to read your current XF86Config file? If you use an Nvidia card, do the current drivers from nvidia.com work with x.org?

Whew, that was lots of questions.

But I can't seem to find decent answers else where. Thus my post here.

Thanks,

Brian

keefaz · 07-09-2004, 07:14 PM

I would think nearly all readers and members here did the upgrade. It is not too difficult, first install xorg, then remove all xfree packages.

For my part, the benefit is to follow slack evolution and have a system up to date as my computer is a workstation.

And yes the new nvidia drivers work with xorg.

AxelFendersson · 07-09-2004, 07:37 PM

I did it. I downoaded all the x11 (xorg) packges, dropped down to runlevel 3, removed the xfree86 packages, removed the old xfree86.conf file, installed all the new packages, ran xorgconfig, and edited the xorg.conf file to get my scroll wheel working and get it to use the nvidia driver. Job done.

I didn't have any major problems, but I did have some problems with openGL screensavers crashing X until I reinstalled the NVIDIA driver. Other than that, it's worked just fine.

rignes · 07-09-2004, 07:42 PM

So then. The config files are compatable between xfree86 and x.org it sounds like? My aim is to be lazy and just copy over my config file.

Brian

rotvogel · 07-09-2004, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rignes
So then. The config files are compatable between xfree86 and x.org it sounds like? My aim is to be lazy and just copy over my config file.

Brian

That's what I did without any problem.

320mb · 07-10-2004, 01:08 AM

Nope, Xorg blows

So I changed back to XFree 4.4
the Nvidia drivers work BETTER with XFree86!!

Mephisto · 07-10-2004, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 320mb
Nope, Xorg blows

So I changed back to XFree 4.4
the Nvidia drivers work BETTER with XFree86!!

How does it "blow"? Can you be more specific about what facet of the X.org /Nvidia combination was not satisfactory? Going from the XFree in 9.1 to X.org in 10 with the current NVidia drivers to my eye xorg actually has better visual quality, There are a lot of other things that changed between 9.1 and 10 so it may not have been x.org that made the difference though.

jong357 · 07-10-2004, 07:36 PM

Yea, On my computer I lost a hundred FPS or more when I switched to xorg..... I pull about 11 now instead of 1250..... Could be other stuff. I don't play games on this so I don't really care. No biggie.... I'll have to use it for awhile longer but frankly, I see no reason to switch from XFree..... People are getting their panties in a bunch over the licence..... Doesn't affect the end user any to the best of my knowledge so why bother switching? Especially if Xfree plays nicer with Nvidia....

Mephisto · 07-10-2004, 08:08 PM

Thanks for the reply. I can understand a hardcore gamers need for speed to a certain extent. I am not a gamer any more, at least not in any way that it would make a difference whether I am getting 100 FPS versus 92, or 54 versus 60 for that matter. (My Ti4600 does quite well for me.) I like to know the reasons why people state preferences though so I can make more informed decisions for myself.

romasport · 07-10-2004, 09:16 PM

I have upgraded Xfree to Xorg and it seemed to run ok... Just one problem.... my fonts are screwed up! I tried to install my True type fonts again but nothing happened! And when I type ctrl+alt+f1, there are a lot of messages of this kind:

freetype: can't open face: /usr/share/fonts/TTF/VERDANA.TTF

(of course, this message applies to other ttf fonts too)

Please, if someone knows how to correct this, post a solution here

Thanks,

Roma

AGilley007 · 07-10-2004, 11:03 PM

My Slackware 10 came with xorg what are the advantages over XFree86?

Hegemon · 07-11-2004, 07:34 AM

I recommend getting Dropline Gnome - http://www.dropline.net/gnome/
It has xorg, and is compiled for newer system so its heaps faster than Slackwares default gnome/xfree combo. I assume you can still use kde if thats your persuasion. And if you actually use Gnome then its a much better install, the latest version and has been setup heaps better. Its all very easy to install although its a few 100mbs of downloading, it also has a very handy updating system.

maciek · 07-11-2004, 03:18 PM

heh upgraded from Xfree 4.3.x to X.org with no problem, fonts are all ok, nvidia driver also working out fine (i'm not a lucky gf Ti owner just simple mx440)