Of course, before ever running xmkmf, you should read the documentation that usually comes with such packages.

Run xmkmf in the directory that contains the Imakefile. If there is a hierarchy of directories with Imakefiles, you usually only have to run xmkmf in the root directory of that hierarchy.

The xmkmf command builds the Makefiles in all directories in the hierarchy.

Then you should run the make command with an argument to let make resolve its dependencies, using the following command:

$ make depend

After that, you can make the program by running make, and you can install your new utility (usually in /usr/X11R6/bin) by running this line:

$ make install

The installation of the man pages is accomplished by running

$ make install.man

Some Common Problems

Some of the problems you might see when you work with XFree86 are outlined in the following:

• No windows—all you get is a gray background and no windows. This is due to running without a window manager. Running X only starts the X server, not the window manager. You should use the startx script in usr/X11/R6/bin/startx.

• Your Logitech serial mouse does not work. The keyword Logitech is reserved for older Logitech serial mice. Use the keyword MouseMan (or Microsoft) for newer mice. Logitech serial mice plugged into a PS/2 port require the keyword PS/2.
• You get errors about not finding any font files. First check the XF86Config file to see whether the directories in the font path are named correctly and contain fonts. If they are correct, run mkfontdir in each of those directories to set them up for use with X.
• After leaving X, your screen fonts are not restored. This is a known bug with some servers. There are utilities called runx or restoretext included with svgalib that can help you in most cases. You can get them from sunsite.unc.edu in the file /pub/Linux/libs/graphics/svgalib-1.2.10.tar.gz.
• You will have some problems on uncommon, extremely new, or extremely old cards. This is what you have to live with when you are dealing with freeware.
• The server dies with the message Cannot find a free VT. XFree86 needs a free virtual terminal (VT) on which to run. So if you have put a getty process on every virtual console in your /etc/inittab, XFree86 is not able to start. The common practice is to leave /dev/tty8 (for kernel messages) and /dev/tty7 (for XFree86) free of a getty process.

This is not an exhaustive list. Read the HOWTO documents in /usr/docs on the CD-ROM for more information about other video card problems that are too specific to list here.

Compiling Sources for XFree86

You do not typically want to compile sources for XFree86 unless you really want to make changes to the sources because something is not working. You will need a lot of disk space and CPU time to do a complete build of the XFree86 system. Anything you need to know for compiling XFree86, you can find in the following files (in /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/doc): INSTALL, README, and README.Linux.

Note that you should not compile XFree86 to get rid of hard-coded restrictions (on the maximal pixel clock, for example) because without these restrictions, your hardware will probably break down.

To build a server that includes only those drivers you need, you should use the LinkKit instead of compiling the complete system. This is a little easier than trying to build it from scratch. The LinkKit package is specific and complicated and is therefore beyond the scope of this chapter.

Read /usr/X11R6/lib/Server/README for a description of how to use LinkKit. This file is not included in the standard XFree86 tar files but is part of the file that includes the LinkKit. You can find the LinkKit at www.xfree86.org.

For adding drivers to the SVGA servers, you need the LinkKit only.

The documentation on how to build servers can be found in the /usr/X11R6/lib/Server/VGADriverDoc directory after installing the LinkKit package.

Summary

This chapter covers the topic of configuring the XFree86 system. After reading this chapter, you should have an idea of how to set up your XF86Config file to generate your X environment. Just remember to start with the basic configuration settings for VGA cards and then make enhancements. Keep backups of your work and do not change the video settings unless you know what you are doing. If nothing works despite your best efforts, you have the recourse of knowing where to look for answers in FAQs, newsgroups, and FTP sites on the Internet for HOWTO and other documents on Linux.

Part III

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