XF86Config

Section: Environments, Tables, and Troff Macros (7)
Updated: 2001-09-24
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NAME

XF86Config - XFree86 X server configuration

DESCRIPTION

The Debian system supports simultaneous installation of XFree86 version 3 and version 4 servers. To accomodate this simultaneity, the names of several utilities and manual pages had to be changed from their upstream defaults.

XFREE86 3.x SERVER CONFIGURATION

Version 3 XFree86 X server packages include:

xserver-3dlabs
xserver-8514
xserver-agx
xserver-fbdev
xserver-i128
xserver-mach32
xserver-mach64
xserver-mach8
xserver-mono
xserver-p9000
xserver-s3
xserver-s3v
xserver-svga
xserver-tga
xserver-vga16
xserver-w32

Information common to all version 3 XFree86 X servers is available in the XFree86-v3(1) manual page. The format of the version 3 server configuration file is given in XF86Config-v3(5), and the upstream, text-based configuration tool for version 3 servers is documented in xf86config-v3(1). Note, however, that usage of the debconf configuration process is preferred. To reconfigure the X server using debconf, simply run:

dpkg-reconfigure package

Where package is one of the above listed packages (whichever is appropriate for your hardware).

In the Debian system, the only supported location for the XFree86 3.x server configuration file is /etc/X11/XF86Config. The X server programs will look in a variety of locations, but /etc/X11/XF86Config is the only one supported by Debian for the server packages listed above. The reason for this strict policy is to reduce confusion.

When reporting bugs to the Debian Bug Tracking System in any of the above listed packages, be sure to include a copy of your /etc/X11/XF86Config file in the bug report. If possible, please also include the X server ouput, which can be preserved by redirecting to a file. For instance:

: startx > $HOME/xserver.log 2>&1

Many problems with the X server are the result of poor configuration. Furthermore, this information aids the Debian Developers in determining your hardware scenario.

Finally, keep in mind that most modern hardware is better supported by the version 4 XFree86 server, packaged as xserver-xfree86. The version 3 servers are no longer maintained upstream, and it is unlikely that bugs in those servers will ever be fixed. (Debian packaging issues will continue to be addressed by the Debian package maintainer.)

For information about the status of support for various video chipsets in XFree86 version 4, see <http://www.xfree86.org/current/Status.html>. Keep in mind that it takes time for new versions of XFree86 to be packaged for Debian; see <http://people.debian.org/~branden/xsf.html> for packaging progress reports.

XFREE86 4.x SERVER CONFIGURATION

There is only one server package for XFree86 4.x, xserver-xfree86, corresponding to the single server binary. (Modules supporting various hardware are loaded on demand by the server, and most XFree86 server modules that exist are available as part of the package.)

Information about the XFree86 X server is available in the XFree86(1) manual page. The format of the version 4 server configuration file is given in XF86Config-4(5), and the upstream, text-based configuration tool for the version 4 server is documented in xf86config(1), Note, however, that usage of the debconf configuration process is preferred. To reconfigure the X server using debconf, simply run:

dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xfree86

In the Debian system, the only supported location for the XFree86 4.x server configuration file is /etc/X11/XF86Config-4. The XFree86 server program will look in a variety of locations, but /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 is the only one supported by Debian for xserver-xfree86. The reason for this strict policy is to reduce confusion.

When reporting bugs to the Debian Bug Tracking System in xserver-xfree86, be sure to include a copy of your /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 and /var/log/XFree86.0.log (or whichever log file the X server used - see XFree86(1)) files in the bug report. Many problems with the X server are the result of poor configuration. Furthermore, this information aids the Debian Developers in determining your hardware scenario.