Getting a proper X Window System up and running used to be a real
challenge on Linux, almost a rite of passage. Today, device drivers
are available for a much wider array of hardware, and configuration
tools to assist in the setup process have greatly improved. While
still tricky at times - especially with unusual hardware - X
setup and configuration is no longer the daunting process it once was,
and should be relatively easy.
You'll go through two stages before you have X successfully
running. The first stage involves installing the needed programs that
enable X to run. These can be grouped into several categories:
-
Basic XFree86 program
-
X servers
-
Window Managers
-
Applications
-
Fonts
This stage is very straightforward and can even be done
as part of the basic installation process, if you select the
relevant X packages during that step.
In the second stage you configure X to run properly on your
system. This is a matter of identifying an X server compatible with
your graphics card, and tuning the server for your graphics card. If
you have a common card and all the documentation for it, this second
stage will be relatively simple. Missing information makes the process
harder, but not impossible.
As shown in Appendix C,
The Debian Package Management Utilities, X consists of
many packages.
Once you've installed the necessary packages, you're ready to
configure X.
WARNING:
You should exercise due care while configuring X to run on your
system. If you incorrectly or incompletely configure X, your system
can be permanently damaged. In particular, if you configure your
monitor for a refresh rate that exceeds its capacity, you can damage
the monitor. Older fixed-frequency monitors are particularly
susceptible to such damage. The author and publisher have taken pains
to make this chapter clear and accurate, but their efforts don't
ensure that the procedure presented in this chapter will work
correctly with your hardware. Consequently, the author and publisher
cannot be held responsible for damages resulting from a faulty
installation or configuration of X.
If you have a card or monitor of unknown manufacture or model,
and feel that you must guess, at least start with a narrow range of
middle values, and gradually expand that range to see if you can find
a value that works. Don't let a monitor that displays an unstable or
garbled image run any longer than the time it takes you to cut power
to the monitor.
