Setting up X
There are many ways to do this. Two are explained below. The
first way is my personal favorate but can cause the system to stop responding
if your vedio card doesn't like being probed. The second way is a
failsafe way. Both ways assume you have a basic video card. For
some cards there are specific instuctions you should follow. Research
before you start.
Either way, before you start make sure you have:
- Video card info. model/chipset and ram.
- Monitor HorizSync and VertRefresh
1. Using the XFree86 utility.
Build initial configuration file for X.
#XFree86 -configure
This creates /root/XF86Config.new or locks up your system in which
case go to the second method.
If successfull we will now need to edit this new file.
We'll need to edit two sections, the first is 'monitor
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "leave unchanged"
VendorName "leave unchanged"
ModelName "leave unchanged"
HorizSync 30-70 # input your
values here.
VertRefresh 50-120 # input
your values here
End Section
and the second is "Screen"
Section "Screen"
Identifier "leave unchanged"
Device "leave unchanged"
Monitor "leave unchanged"
DefaultDepth 15 # Choose your colour depth.
SubSection "Display"
Depth 15
Modes "1024x768" #set
your mode in the correct Display Depth
EndSubSection
EndSection
Now save and quit the editor. Time to test the configuration file:
# XFree86 -xf86config /root/XF86Config.new
If you get a black & grey grid and a X mouse cursor, it worked.
Press Ctrl+Alt+Backspace to exit and read the screen for errors (EE)
If all is good move\copy the file to /etc/X11/XF86Config
2. Using xf86config (My card crashed during probe)
/usr/X11R6/bin/xf86config
This is covered in detail in the handbook. Make sure you make the
changes above before you test.
Adding Fonts
You can add a number of different fonts so that X displays fonts a little
nicer.
Check the /usr/ports/x11-fonts directory.
Adding some type 1 fonts
# cd /usr/ports/x11-fonts/urwfonts
# make install
Now edit /etc/X11/XF86Config, under the section "files" add
Section "Files"
FontPath "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/URW"
EndSection
Save and quit editor
XF86 v4 also supports truetype fonts. See the handbook.
Window Manager
Time to choose a windows manager.
FreeBSD comes with many window managers/desktop environments including
KDE
XFce
GNOME
fvwm
Windowmaker
and the list goes on...
Pick your favorate and use the package or the port to install.
Try windowmaker using package:
pkg_add -r windowmaker
Now su - name.added.during.install
The "su -" will put you into your users environment. you should
be in there home dir.
create ~/.xinitrc
add
exec /usr/X11R6/bin/wmaker
Now the user can start a windowing session from the command line using
"startx"
You could use a graphical login using XDM or KDM if you want.