Linux, how do I change the default window manager?

[brian_riendeau]

I am running Madrake for now and my computer loads to a terminal window for login. When I log in and startx, it shoots me right into KDE. I also have Gnome and a few other window managers installed. The only way I can see to get to them is selecting the Xwindows login via the Control Center and then changing the default there. How do I pick and choose what the default is from the command line? I would rather not use the graphical login. Thanks.

 

[n0cmonkey]

edit your .xinitrc file to load a different wm/de.

 

[brian_riendeau]

Um, where would that be? 🙂

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< Um, where would that be? 🙂 >>



~/

 

[fivepesos]

on most distros the default xinitrc is in /etc/X11/xinitirc/ and usually has an xinitrc that is symlinked to whichever you want.

to override the default you create a file called .xinitrc in your home dir ~/ and then edit it to start whichever windowmanager u like.

i use windowmaker so my .xinitrc has one line: wmaker, i dont know what the commands to start gnome or kde are. maybe others can help.

 

[Dreadogg]

alright since you all are talking about Window managers here i'll have to tell you all how mine is right now! Ok first of Im still really new to linux this is my second time installing it and I did this Friday last time I was using Red HAT and I had a friend set it up for me, which he did everything for me and i did'nt learn a thing! This time Im on my own and doing lots of reading and terminal commands and stuff like that! Ok so when I started to configure my desktop I just logged in with the gnome went and downloaded enlightenment and installed the rpm then just ran it from Gnome control center it works just fine! I do feel as if its not suppose to run like this though and later on tonight I'll be reserching to find the command line to leave in the file mention above so it runs default without bringing up the gnome manager! Only thing is I like the Gnome taskbar I have it on auto hide and I love the Browsier thats there also!

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< alright since you all are talking about Window managers here i'll have to tell you all how mine is right now! Ok first of Im still really new to linux this is my second time installing it and I did this Friday last time I was using Red HAT and I had a friend set it up for me, which he did everything for me and i did'nt learn a thing! This time Im on my own and doing lots of reading and terminal commands and stuff like that! Ok so when I started to configure my desktop I just logged in with the gnome went and downloaded enlightenment and installed the rpm then just ran it from Gnome control center it works just fine! I do feel as if its not suppose to run like this though and later on tonight I'll be reserching to find the command line to leave in the file mention above so it runs default without bringing up the gnome manager! Only thing is I like the Gnome taskbar I have it on auto hide and I love the Browsier thats there also! >>



The browser (Galeon? Mozilla?) should work fine no matter what you are using. Enlightenment can be the WM for Gnome, or it could last time I checked (a while ago). So you can have the gnome taskbar thingy, or even all of gnome, just not sawfish (the default wm for gnome). Give us screen shots when you get it all themed up though 🙂

 

[vash]

In the home directory, for the user you created during install, make a file with any text editor (I think pico is install by default) and name it .xinitrc

In that file, it should have one line that will point to the one you want. Mine is pointed to /usr/bin/blackbox

vash

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< In the home directory, for the user you created during install, make a file with any text editor (I think pico is install by default) and name it .xinitrcIn that file, it should have one line that will point to the one you want. Mine is pointed to /usr/bin/blackboxvash >>



Ya dont say? 😛