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Linux-Debian-Ubuntu

J

JOHNGALT99

Senior member
I just started using linux and I am going to give Ubuntu a try since its debian based and i can use apt-get with it

I have a dell 2005fpw lcd that runs at 1680x1050

I know i need to edit the xf86config-4 file,

however when i open it, the xf86config-4 is allways read only?

How can I open it without it being read only, i am trying to open it right now with the gnome default text editor not from the command line.

thanks for the help
 
you have to change it permissions. first and foremost you need to familiarize yourself with the command chmod xxx (where xxx are numbers denoting the permissions you want to set for that file) I dont remember what numbers to use ( I have unsed linux in almost 2 years) but you should be able to find out somewhere online
 
For files such as these, u must be root to edit them. In ubuntu, I believe it's "sudo". Difference being, I believe all others linux distros being "su" for root (also known as "super user").
When you edit files like the one in question, always make a copy of it before changing it.
Copy it, and name it "xf86config-4.old".
One simple mistake, and it won't be read correctly (a typo for example).
If you make changes to a file, and something stops working, chances are it's that last change you made. If you can't find your mistake, you have the original file to restore by nameing back the way it should be.
Making this a habit, will be a very good habit when something stops working for you.
 
so its it that or do i have to kill xwindows in order to change the xf86config?
Click to expand...

For practice, would be good to able to edit it without a gui (command prompt). Because if you make a mistake, chances are xwindows won't start.
To answer your question, you can edit the file anytime, changes won't take effect untill it's restarted with the changes you made.
 
Originally posted by: dpgdog187
you have to change it permissions. first and foremost you need to familiarize yourself with the command chmod xxx (where xxx are numbers denoting the permissions you want to set for that file) I dont remember what numbers to use ( I have unsed linux in almost 2 years) but you should be able to find out somewhere online
Click to expand...
There's absolutely no reason to change the permissions on XF86Config-4. He merely needs to edit the file as root (or in the case of ubuntu, using sudo).



su means switch user, not super user.
 
su means switch user, not super user.
Click to expand...

If you look around, you will find some call it "switch user", others "super user".
I like to call it super user as I find it fits the meaning better.

http://www.linux.org/lessons/interm/c96.html
In Unix/Linux speak, the term 'su' means superuser - that is, root.

su can also stand for switch user. For example, if you had two accounts on a machine - let's say bob and harry - you could log on as 'bob' and do: su harry and then work as harry.
Click to expand...
 
If you look around, you will find some call it "switch user", others "super user".
I like to call it super user as I find it fits the meaning better.
Click to expand...

It's either switch user-id or substitute user-id, "super user" is misleading because you can use su to become any user on the system, not just root.
 
First make a copy of the file before you edit it just in case.

Then do sudo gvim XF86Config-4 (replace gvim with your favorite editor), you should be able to save it now.
 
su
nano -w /etc/X11/XF86Config-4

Make your changes.

Are you actually using xfree or does ubuntu use xorg? Most newer distros come with xorg so you should also rename the file to xorg.conf

You can test it out in your home directory if you like. Kill your xserver, copy the old file to your home directory, edit it save it and then do a:

X -config /home/user/testfile.conf (or whatever)

If it works just copy it to the default location.

I have my 2005FPW working great with xorg 6.8.0. It is definitely possible 🙂
 
Are you actually using xfree or does ubuntu use xorg? Most newer distros come with xorg so you should also rename the file to xorg.conf
Click to expand...

Warty still uses XFree, Hoary will use X.org.
 
If you read his thread you would notice that it say that the file cannot be used cause it is read only. If he doenst use some command (chmod) to change the attribute then how can he edit it? Sprinkle pixie dust in his hard drive and say "wal-la"!
 
If you read his thread you would notice that it say that the file cannot be used cause it is read only. If he doenst use some command (chmod) to change the attribute then how can he edit it? Sprinkle pixie dust in his hard drive and say "wal-la"!
Click to expand...

It was only read-only because he wasn't editing it with the right uid, he needs to use su or sudo to run his editor as root. Changing permissions is not necessary and would be a really, really bad idea.
 
Originally posted by: silverpig
su
nano -w /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
Click to expand...
That won't work in ubuntu since it uses the sudo system. Root has no password by default. You'd have to do sudo su (or sudo -s) for that to work.

Are you actually using xfree or does ubuntu use xorg? Most newer distros come with xorg so you should also rename the file to xorg.conf
Click to expand...
Ubuntu 4.10 (warty) uses Xfree86 4.3.0.
Ubuntu 5.04 (hoary) uses X.org 6.8.1
 
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