topic How do I turn on VGA, so that I can use GUI interface? in Operating System - Linux

How do I turn on VGA, so that I can use GUI interface?

Bob Coffey — Tue, 13 May 2003 13:15:47 GMT

Hi,
I have set-up serial console when installing the system. But would like to use VGA now.
Thanks,
Herve

Re: How do I turn on VGA, so that I can use GUI interface?

Steven E. Protter — Tue, 13 May 2003 13:18:03 GMT

Assuming you installed the necessary software for running X-Windows, you should be able to start it with the command:

xstart

If not, you can install the software from the distribution cd's and then make the command after logging on.

If the reply is useful, please assign points.

SEP

Re: How do I turn on VGA, so that I can use GUI interface?

Jerome Henry — Tue, 13 May 2003 13:23:26 GMT

Tell us which distribution and what kind of install you performed.
On startup, as Steven said, you should have a prompt for login, and password. Enter yours, the you get a prompt, like # if you are root, $ if you are not (better not be if you do not need to).
Type 'startx', and you'll get the gui.
You can also edit /etc/inittab, and change default run level form 3 to 5, to directly start on GUI at boot.
Last tip, you can change gui (from shell, not gui itself), by type 'switchdesk guiname', for example switchdesk kde, or switchdesk gonme.
You'll get another gui next time.
With your distro name, we'll redirect you to help pages linked on that.
hth

Jerome

Re: How do I turn on VGA, so that I can use GUI interface?

James Roper — Wed, 14 May 2003 04:48:00 GMT

What distribution of Linux are you using? I'm going to assume RedHat. There are two options. The first is to download the rpms for XFree86, plus a display manager, and then every gui program that you want to use. This would take for ever and meeting all the dependencies would be so tedious. The second and easier option is to upgrade RedHat. Get the CDs for whichever version you want to install, probably RedHat 9.0, then boot cd 1 and choose upgrade. Make sure you include X and other GUI programs that you may want when you upgrade it.

Re: How do I turn on VGA, so that I can use GUI interface?

Balaji N — Thu, 15 May 2003 05:44:32 GMT

hi
you have got some valued suggestions. am adding a few.

X -configure will normaly try to autdetect your settings and write a configuration file in /root. (guess it is called XF86config.new or something).

using this configuration, run X.

X -xf86config

if you are satisfied, move this file /etc/X11 as XF86Config and then run a startx. and voila.

to start X by default change your initdefault keyword to 5 (in Redhat.)

hope this helps. if you have any more questions, revert with your distro.

cheerio
-balaji

Re: How do I turn on VGA, so that I can use GUI interface?

herve pellan — Fri, 13 Jun 2003 08:47:45 GMT

Thanks folks for your help.

I am using a debian distribution.

checking /etc/elilo.conf content:
append="console=tty0 console=ttys0,9600"

enable VGA console (tty0) and serial console port at 9600 bauds.

along with your advice fixed the problem.
Herve

Re: How do I turn on VGA, so that I can use GUI interface?

Caesar_3 — Fri, 13 Jun 2003 14:05:05 GMT

Hello!

You can run startx, check if you installed
Xfree (The X)
Also you have Xconfigurator or X --configure
or to edit /etc/X11/Xconfig

Caesar