I'm fiddling with a test Debian install on an older machine (486 DX4 100, 64 MB RAM, S3Virge/VX 4MB PCI video card). I installed the base Debian system via network, then switched sources.list to Sid. I used tasksel to install the Xwindows system: I believe this is 4.2.something. So far, no luck in getting a GUI display (runs fine in command line mode). I should mention that, on this same machine, I have gotten Xwindows working fine on another partition that uses a Slackware distro with XFree 3.3, I think. The monitor is an older Epson EVGA - 14" (does only 640x480, I believe). I want to use fluxbox as a desktop, btw.
I thought getting a working display might be as simple as copying over the XF86Config file from my Slackware partition. Thus far, that hasn't worked. I've also tried running the command "xf86config" and entering in all the same values I've used for the other, working, X display. That also has not worked. By "not worked," here is what I mean: after doing the configuration and generating the XF86Config file with it (or copying it over, as the case may be), I issue "startx" from the command line. When I do so, I get a blank screen - almost as if the monitor is turned off, though there is obviously some low level of phosphor excitement. The display becomes totally useless at this point: I can't get to any virtual terminals, for example. I can't kill X with ctrl-alt-backspace. I only get this blank screen display, no matter what I do. When I get exasperated, I hit ctrl-alt-del, hear the system bell, and the computer reboots (so it is accepting keyboard input, apparently). So, I'm a bit confused about what to do to get a working GUI display. One point of confusion is the two XF86Config files I find in /etc/X11: one is named just XF86Config, while the other is XF86Config-4. I'm guessing the system is using the latter. Any clarification on this, anyone? Also, I was hoping there is something like XF86Setup (like under the older Slack I have on this system) for Debian, but I've been unable to find such. apt-get install xf86setup returns a message saying it's been superseded by xbase-clients. Looking over info I've found on the web about xbase-clients however, doesn't reveal anything that sounds like the XF86Setup program (this is a GUI program for generating the XF86Config file that runs in VGA mode, as I understand it). Is there such a program that runs under Debian? Feedback on this problem, anyone? Further details needed, Ray? Thanks, James PS I should also mention that I edited /etc/X11/Xsession.d/99xfree86-common_start and inserted "fluxbox" there, since I understood that is where the desktop is specified. Usual disclaimers about my ignorance in these matters are appended here as a formality. - To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-newbie" in the body of a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] More majordomo info at http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html Please read the FAQ at http://www.linux-learn.org/faqs
