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<A HREF="QuickStart.html"><EM>Quick-Start Guide to XFree86 Setup</EM></A>
 <b>:</b> <EM>Running <code>xf86config</code></EM><BR>
<b>Previous:</b> <A HREF="QuickStart3.html"><EM>Using <code>XF86Setup</code></EM></A><BR>
<b>Next:</b> <A HREF="QuickStart5.html"><EM>Fixing the XF86Config file</EM></A>


<HR NOSHADE>
  <H2><A NAME="16"></A>4. Running <code>xf86config</code></H2>
<p>From a text screen, run the <code>xf86config</code> program.  This
program should be run as <i>root</i> (although not absolutely
necessary, it will allow xf86config to do more of the work
for you).  You can press your interrupt character (usually
Control-C or perhaps Delete), at any time to stop the program,
if you need to.  You can just start it over again.</p>
<p>The <code>xf86config</code> program provides instructions on screen
as to what you need to do.  Following are some notes that
document the various stages in the process. They should help
you get through the process quickly and provide some
documentation for those people who like to know what they're
getting themselves into, before running a program.</p>

<H3><A NAME="17"></A>4.1. The intro screen</H3>
<p>First, <code>xf86config</code> begins by telling you a few things like
the fact that it can help you setup an XF86Config file or that
you can do the job yourself with an editor.  Just read what
it says and press <SF>Enter</SF> when done.</p>

<H3><A NAME="18"></A>4.2. Getting your <code>PATH</code> right</H3>
<p>The program will next check that you have the directory
<code>/usr/X11R6</code> (the standard installation directory)
on your system and tell you that it needs to be in your
<code>PATH</code> environment variable.</p>
<p>It will also check if you have the
<code>/usr/X386</code> directory as used by older (pre 3.0)
versions of XFree86.  If by chance you do, it will warn you
that <code>/usr/X11R6</code> must be before <code>/usr/X386</code>
in your <code>PATH</code>.</p>
<p>If everything is okay, just press Enter and go on, otherwise
press Control-C to exit and make any necessary changes and
restart <code>xf86config</code>.</p>

<H3><A NAME="19"></A>4.3. Mouse setup</H3>
<p>Pick the mouse type from the menu and enter the name of the
device to which mouse is connected, as directed.</p>
<p>If you are using an OS (e.g. SVR4, SCO) that has a built in
mouse driver that the Xserver could use, you'll need to edit
the XF86Config file to setup your mouse, so just pick any
mouse from the list and press enter when asked for the device.</p>
<p>If you don't know which protocol your mouse uses, you'll just
have to guess (the xf86config program will give you some hints
as to which might be most likely) and then see the
troubleshooting section if it doesn't work when you run the
server.</p>
<p>The xf86config program has not been updated to allow you to
select the latest mouse protocols, so you may have to edit
the config file by hand after xf86config has finished.</p>

<H3><A NAME="20"></A>4.4. Keyboard setup</H3>
<p>Simply answer yes to the question regarding keyboard setup.</p>
<p>If there is some reason you need to use the right-alt and
control keys for something else, you can enter no.</p>

<H3><A NAME="21"></A>4.5. Monitor setup</H3>
<p>Setting up a monitor consists of entering the specifications
of your monitor and a description of the model and manufacturer.</p>
<p>You are first asked for the horizontal sync rate.  It is
<b>VERY</b> important to enter the correct value(s) from the
manual. If one of the ranges given matches the rate of your
monitor, then pick it, otherwise pick <code>custom</code> and enter
the values from your manual.</p>
<p>Next is the vertical refresh rate. Again, it is <b>VERY</b>
important that this parameter be specified correctly.
Enter it in a manner similar to the horizontal sync rate.</p>
<p><i>If either rate is mis-specified, it can result in damage
to your monitor.</i></p>
<p>Finally, you are asked for an "identifier", your monitor
manufacturer, and model.  You can just press enter to
get through these quickly.</p>

<H3><A NAME="22"></A>4.6. Selecting your card</H3>
<p>You are next asked if you would like to view the database of
cards.  Picking your card from the list will cause the answers
to the questions in the next two sections to be filled in for
you and so can save a little time.</p>
<p>If your card does not appear in the list, just press <code>q</code>
and enter to skip on to the next step - where you'll have to
answer the questions yourself.</p>

<H3><A NAME="23"></A>4.7. Server selection</H3>
<p>If you selected your card in the previous step, then server
selection is easy - just use the recommendation from the
database.</p>
<p>If you have a card which uses one of the chipsets for which a
specific server exists (Mach8, Mach32, Mach64, AGX/XGA,
8514/A, S3, I128, P9000) you'll want to pick the
<code>accel</code> option.</p>
<p>Otherwise you'll probably want to use the SVGA server.</p>
<p>Next, answer yes when the program asks if you want it to
set the symbolic link for you.  If you picked the <code>accel</code>
option, you'll also need to indicate which particular
accelerated server to link to.</p>

<H3><A NAME="24"></A>4.8. Screen/Video configuration</H3>
<p>Pick the appropriate option from the list to indicate the
amount of memory on your video card.</p>
<p>Then you are asked to provide and identifier, the manufacturer,
and the model of your card.  You can just press enter to skip
through these, if you wish.</p>
<p>Next, the program will ask for the type of RAMDAC and Clockchip
on your card.  If your card was in the database, you should
just to tell it to use the values from the database.</p>
<p>If you don't have one of the listed RAMDACs or Clockchips
on your card, just press enter when asked what type you have.
If you do not have a programmable clock chip, the program will
next attempt to probe to find out what clock rates are
supported by your clock chip.</p>

<H3><A NAME="25"></A>4.9. Mode Selection</H3>
<p>Now you get to tell the program which video modes you would
like to be able to run. </p>
<p>The program will show you the common modes that should work
with your card (some might not work with your monitor, but
if you've correctly specified the monitor's sync rates, the
X server will just ignore them when it runs).</p>
<p>You could just accept the settings as they are given, but
you'll probably wish to reverse the order.  For example, if
you have a card with 1 Meg RAM, it will list the modes
<blockquote><code>
<pre>
		"640x480" "800x600" "1024x768" for 8bpp
	
</pre>
</code></blockquote>
</p>
<p>Select <code>1</code> to change the settings for 8bpp and the type
<code>432</code> to select the reverse order.</p>
<p>When you've select the modes, in the order you wish, select
option <code>4</code> to continue.</p>

<H3><A NAME="26"></A>4.10. Creating the <code>XF86Config</code> file</H3>
<p>The program will now ask if you would like to write the
configuration settings you've selected to the file
<code>XF86Config</code>. Answer yes.</p>

<H3><A NAME="27"></A>4.11. Some final notes</H3>
<p>Lastly, the program tells you that it's finished its part
of this process and counsels you to check the file before
using it.  The next section covers the changes that are most
likely to be needed.</p>

 <HR NOSHADE>
<A HREF="QuickStart.html"><EM>Quick-Start Guide to XFree86 Setup</EM></A>
 <b>:</b> <EM>Running <code>xf86config</code></EM><BR>
<b>Previous:</b> <A HREF="QuickStart3.html"><EM>Using <code>XF86Setup</code></EM></A><BR>
<b>Next:</b> <A HREF="QuickStart5.html"><EM>Fixing the XF86Config file</EM></A>



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