Configuring X Windows Using 'xorgconfig'

I find a spreadsheet that runs in windows easier to use than one that runs from the command prompt so I want my FreeBSD system configured to run X Windows (i.e. KDE, Gnome, Icewm, or Xfce4). Here are the steps I followed.

You can test these steps using the TrueBSD live CD. TrueBSD is basically FreeBSD 6.2. Boot to the CD, log in as root with a blank password and then type '/sysutils/trueconf'. Select '1' for "Setup X11" and then choose option '3' "Custom settings" to run xorgconfig.

1. Log in as root, type "xorgconfig" and press enter. You'll see a message something like below.

Before continuing know what video card you have, and the amuount of video ram on it.
Press enter to continue, or ctrl-c to abort.

Press enter.

2. I use a USB wireless mouse since the touchpad can be difficult to setup on some laptops. There are many choices after "1 Auto" in the following message but they do not concern me.

First specify a mouse protocol.
1. Auto [Auto detect]
Enter a protocol number:

I typed '1' and pressed enter.

Do you want to enable Emulate3Buttons?

I typed 'y' for yes and pressed enter.

The default is fine for the next message.


Mouse device:

Press enter to accept to the default.

3. Now for the keyboard.


Please select one of the following keyboard types.
1. Generic 101-key PC
5. Dell 101-key PC

Option '1' for generic keyboard is fine but option '5' seems to work just as well on my Dell laptop.

4. For the next message choose the number for the country you are in.


Enter a number to choose the country.
1. U.S. English

I typed '1' and pressed enter. Then I got the following prompt.

Please enter a variant name for 'US' layout.
Press enter for default variant.

I pressed enter to accept the default.
For more information about the following prompt, see the FreeBSD website.

Do you want to select additional XKB options?

I typed 'n' and pressed enter.

5. All the messages that follow concern the monitor (LCD display on the laptop) and the video card

Now we want to set the specifications of the monitor.
Press enter to continue.

I pressed enter.
You must indicate the horizontal sync range of your monitor.


Several options are listed. Option '6' works well.

31.5-4.5 Non-Interlaced SVCA, 1024X768 @ 60Hz

I typed '6' and pressed enter. Next I selected the vertical sync range. Be careful not to select a range higher than your monitor can handle.

You must indicate the vertical sync range.

The first choice is:

1. 50-70


I type '1' and pressed enter. Then I pressed enter to accept the default at the next prompt.

Enter an identifier for your monitor defintion:
Press enter for default.




6. I answered yes (typed 'y' and pressed enter) to the next question.

Do you want to look at the card database?


In the next screen the video card for my Dell Inspiron 1100 appeared as the 15th option

15  **Intel i810 (generic)** [i810]


I immediately typed '15' and pressed enter. The screen below appeared

Identifier:**Intel i810 (generic) [i810]
Chipset:--
Driveri810
Press enter to continue, or ctrl-c to abort.


I pressed enter to continue and was prompted for the amount of video ram the card has. Several options appeared and option '7' matched the amount of vram on my card (16MB).

How much video ram do you have on your video card:
7 16384k


I pressed enter to accept the default for the next message.

Enter an identifier for your video card definition:


7. Then the screen for setting the resolution came up:

For each depth, a list of modes (resolutions) is defined. The default
resolution that the server will start-up will be the first listed
mode that can be supported by the monitor and card.
Currently it is set to:
 
"1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x400" for 8-bit
"1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x400" for 16-bit
"1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x400" for 24-bit
 
Modes that cannot be supported due to monitor or clock constraints will
be automatically skipped by the server.
 
1. Change the modes for 8-bit (256 colors)
2. Change the modes for 16-bit (32k/64k colors)
3. Change the modes for 24-bit (24-bit color)
4. The modes are OK, continue.


I wanted to set the resolution at "1024x768" for 8-bit color because I know that will work fine so I typed '1' and pressed entered. In the following menu there were 13 choices. Only five are shown here to save space and time.

Select modes from the following list:
 
1 "640x400"
2 "640x480"
3 "800x600"
4 "1024x768"
5 "1280x1024"
 
Please type the digits corresponding to the modes
that you want to select.
 
Which modes?


I entered "4" for "1024x768".

Please answer the following question 'y' or 'n'.
Do you want a virtual sreen that is larger than the physical screen?


I know I don't want that so I answered 'n'.

After setting the mode for 8-bit color, I was returned to the screen for setting up the resolution ("For each depth, a list of modes (resolutions) is defined."). I selected '2' for 16-bit colors and set it exactly as I did for 8-bit colors. Then when the menu appeared for the third time, I selected '3' for 24-bit colors an set it the same as the previous two. Unfortunately I discovered I would have to stay with 8-bit color on my laptop.

Finally at the screen for setting resolution, the modes were set as follows:

"1024x768" for 8-bit
"1024x768" for 16-bit
"1024x768" for 24-bit


I selected '4' for "The modes are OK, continue."

Please specify which color depth you want to use by default.
1 1 bit (monochrome)
2 4 bits (16 colors)
3 8 bits (256 colors)
4 16 bits (65536 colors)
&nbssp;
Enter a number to choose a default depth.


I chose '3' for 8 bits. You can experiment if you want. If your settings fail, just run 'xorgconfig' again.

The final message asks:

Shall I write it to /etc/X11/xorg.conf?


I entered 'y' and was done

To run X Windows just type 'startx'. FreeBSD uses TWM for its default X Windows system. TWM is very plain. You can run firefox by typing 'firefox' in a terminal window and pressing enter. TWM comes with a calculator and some other utilities, but you'll probably want to install another X Windows system such as KDE, Gnome, IceWM or Xfce4.