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.
The easiest way to install and configure X is to install the X Window System component during the Linux installation procedure. If you omitted the X Window System component, you should consider redoing the installation procedure, as this may be the simplest way to install X. But if it’s not practical to redo the installation procedure, you can use the information in this section to manually install and configure X.
Note
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 appendix clear and accurate, but our efforts don’t ensure that the procedure presented here 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.
If you followed the instructions in Chapter 3 and the installation procedure went smoothly, you’ve already installed X on your system. However, sometimes the installation procedure is unable to properly install and configure X. Or,you may accidentally delete one or more files needed by X. In such cases, it’s handy to know how to manually install X.
To manually install the packages needed to run X, insert Disc 1 of Red Hat Linux (obtain CD material online at http://examples.oreilly.com/redhat2) into your system’s CD-ROM drive and issue the following commands:
su - mount -t iso9660 /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom -o ro cd /mnt/cdrom/RedHat/RPMS rpm -Uvh --replacepkgs libtiff-*.rpm switchdesk-* gtk+-*.rpm gnome-libs-*.rpm imlib-1*.rpm ORBit-*.rpm netpbm-* libungif-*.rpm qt-*.rpm gdk-pixbuf-*.rpm xinitrc-*rpm Mesa-*.rpm libmng-*.rpm XFree86-100dpi-fonts-*.rpm XFree86-75dpi-fonts-*.rpm XFree86-tools-*.rpm XFree86-twm-*.rpm XFree86-xdm-*.rpm XFree86-4*.rpm Xaw3d-*.rpm Xconfigurator-*.rpm cd umount /mnt/cdrom exit
Be careful to type the commands correctly. A single mistyped character can cause a command to fail, possibly without warning.
Next, insert Disc 2 of Red Hat Linux (obtain CD material online at http://examples.oreilly.com/redhat2) into your system’s CD-ROM drive and issue the following commands:
su - mount -t iso9660 /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom -o ro cd /mnt/cdrom/RedHat/RPMS rpm -Uvh --replacepkgs XFree86-3DLabs-*.rpm XFree86-8514-*.rpm XFree86-AGX-*.rpm XFree86-doc-*.rpm XFree86-I128-*.rpm XFree86-Mach32-*.rpm XFree86-Mach64-*.rpm XFree86-Mach8-*.rpm XFree86-Mono-*.rpm XFree86-P9000-*.rpm XFree86-S3-*.rpm XFree86-S3V-*.rpm XFree86-SVGA-*.rpm XFree86-VGA15-*.rpm XFree86-W32-*.rpm cd umount /mnt/cdrom exit
Tip
Depending on the packages you’ve installed, RPM may not be able
to install the specified packages, owing to unsatisfied dependencies.
If this is the case, read the section in Chapter 8 that explains how to install and use
the rpmdb-redhat package. That package will help
you identify the packages needed to satisfy the dependencies.
To install a set of packages providing a basic GNOME environment, insert Disc 1 of Red Hat Linux into your system’s CD-ROM drive and issue the following commands:
su - mount -t iso9660 /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom -o ro cd /mnt/cdrom/RedHat/RPMS rpm -Uvh --replacepkgs gnome-core-*rpm control-center-*.rpm rep-gtk-*.rpm pygnome-libglade-*.rpm pygtk-libglade-*.rpm fortune-mod-*.rpm sawfish-*.rpm xloadimage-*.rpm libglade-*.rpm xscreensaver-*.rpm librep-*.rpm libxml-*.rpm cd umount /mnt/cdrom exit
To install a set of packages providing a basic KDE environment, insert Disc 1 of Red Hat Linux into your system’s CD-ROM drive and issue the following commands:
su - mount -t iso9660 /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom -o ro cd /mnt/cdrom/RedHat/RPMS rpm -Uvh --replacepkgs arts-*.rpm kdebase-*.rpm kdelibs-*.rpm kdesupport-*.rpm lm_sensors-*.rpm cd umount /mnt/cdrom exit
Tip
The GNOME and KDE packages identified provide a very sparse desktop
environment. So you’ll probably want to install additional
GNOME or KDE packages. A good way to identify some candidates is by
studying the file /RedHat/base/comps on Disc 1
of Red Hat Linux. Look for the section titled GNOME or KDE and
examine the packages listed there. Then, use the techniques explained
in Chapter 8 to install the desired
packages.