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How do I choose my window manager in Mandrake?

BlvdKing

Golden Member
I just upgraded XFree86 from 4.0.3 to 4.1.0 and it works, but the default windows manager is twm. How do I select another windows manager in Mandrake 8? I have KDE and gnome, as well as blackbox, e, and other installed but don't know how to initialize them. I tried kdm, but even after choosing a wm, twm loads anyways. Thanks in advance.
 

if you arent picky, you can use 'switchdesk' (if thats available in mandrake) to choose between gnome, kde, fvwm, E, windowmaker or twm. If not, just edit your ~/.xinitrc with the window manager you want to start. For example, put 'exec gnome-session' if you want to start gnome. If you dont have an .xinitrc file in your home, just create it.
 
I tried running KDM, which allows you to choose users and a WM session, but it was unresponsive. Strangely, I'm getting used to twm but it has problems when I try to change the resolution in Quake 3. I guess I need a more up to date WM. twm is ugly too.

I thought it had something to do with the .xinitrc file in the home directory, but the last time I edited something like that was to change the WM on my Slackware install. Anyways, I'll try what you said. Thanks again.
 


<< And if you can, try to support Loki @ www.lokigames.com by buying a game or two. They really need the help and the linux community is much better off with them than without them. >>



Man, i really suck at this forum. This message was intended for another thread. Anyone know how i can delete or edit my posts?
 
OK. I realized the other day that I have spent more $$ on Linux (yes I know it's free) than on MS software. In fact, I was thinking about getting that new Mandrake gamers edition early next year. I hear that counter-strike and Wolfenstein can be played on it. Also, I noticed my favorite game, Tribes 2, was only $30.00 on Loki website. That's a damn good deal.

Anyways, I update this thread later when I attempt to switch the window manager again.

OOPS! 😀 Your post seemed a bit out of place but I responded anyways. Only mods can delete posts.
 
This is wierd. I am now running gnome inside of twm. It looks like I have a twm theme applied to gnome. Both wm's are functional. Wierd.
 
Just for the record I found out how to choose the wm in Mandrake 8. After working on it all day and then reinstalling after screwing everything up, I found the xinitrc file that counts. It's in the /etc/X11/xinit/ directory. This is for XFree86 4.1.0 (probably for 4.0.3 also). Anyways, does anyone the command to initialize windows maker? I put 'wmaker' (w/o quotes) in the xinitrc file and it gave me an error. Thanks.
 
did you put "wmaker" or "exec wmaker"?

I'd think that editting the /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc would make the change globally. That is, every user on your system would use wmaker instead of individual users making the choice. If you couldnt find .xinitrc (notice the dot in front of the filename) in your home directory, it is safe to create it manually.
 
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