6. Running X

The easiest way for new users to start X windows is to type:

startx >& startx.log

To get out of X windows, type: ``exit'' in the console xterm. You can customize your X by creating .xinitrc, .xserverrc, and .twmrc files in your home directory as described in the xinit and startx man pages.

6.1. Starting Xdm, the display manager

To start the display manager, log in as root on the console and type: ``xdm -nodaemon''.

You can start xdm automatically on bootup by changing the line

xdm=NO			xdm_flags=""            # x11 display manager

xdm=YES			xdm_flags=""            # x11 display manager

Under NetBSD 1.4 and later with the wscons console driver, you must enable a virtual console for the X server first. To do this follow these steps:

• Make sure the device file exists. If not, ``cd /dev ; ./MAKEDEV wscons''.
• Next, make sure your kernel wants to do wscons. (see below).
• Next, make sure ``wscons=YES'' in /etc/rc.conf.
• Next, make sure /etc/wscons.conf exists. The relevant bits:

  #screen	0	-	vt100
  screen	1	-	vt100
  screen	2	-	vt100
  screen	3	-	vt100
  screen	4	-	-
  screen	5	-	vt100
  

Note that the binary distributions of XFree86 for NetBSD don't include support for the XDM-AUTHORIZATION-1 protocol.