XFree86 Riddle....

[MADHATter7]

I am just curious if anyone knows there answer to this, it is odd:

First, some background -
I was running Debian Woody (then Unstable) with XFree86 4.0.1pre2-RC3. When this upgrade took place it took awhile for me to get my XF86Config-4 file correct.
However, due to a short between the keyboard and the chair, ( http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif ) I messed up when trying to move /usr and /var to seperate partitions on an unused portion of /dev/hdb...
Therefore, I did a complete reinstall of Slink and updated to Potato, Woody and now Sid. This included updating XFree from 3.3.6 to now Xfree 4.0.2
Now that you have the background, here is what is puzzling me...

After I downloaded and --force installed XFree, I did a few other things and rebooted my computer. AND IT REBOOTED INTO X WINDOWS !!! I haven't even created my XF86Config-4 file yet, it was using XF86Config. http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/confused.gif

This did not work last time, why does it work now ??

------------------
MADHATter7

EMAIL : madhatterus@netscape.net
ICQ : 101324593
AIM : MADHATTERus
Yahoo : madhatt_t00l


[This message has been edited by MADHATter7 (edited 10 January 2001).]

[Strike]

Well, you skipped all the steps between 3.3.6 and 4.0.2, so chances are you had some messed up configs from steps inbetween when you did it the first time, and then those persisted for when you upgraded to 4.0.2. This time you circumvented those by making the big jump.

[MADHATter7]

Originally posted by Strike:
Well, you skipped all the steps between 3.3.6 and 4.0.2, so chances are you had some messed up configs from steps inbetween when you did it the first time, and then those persisted for when you upgraded to 4.0.2. This time you circumvented those by making the big jump.

So you are saying that XFree86 4.0.2 can utilize XFree86 3.3.6 Config files ??

THAT I DID NOT KNOW ! (I thought I read somewhere that they were not compatible....) I suppose I was mistaken...

[Strike]

No, it can't. But the 4.0.1-RC<blah blah> releases use the same ones as 4.0.2, and if those were weird to begin with that would have propagated into 4.0.2. With the upgrade to 4.0.2 you got fresh clean 4.0.2 config files and not the messy old ones inbetween.

[MADHATter7]

Now I am really confused. Bear with me so I can get my brain working again...

I should have stated I did a reformat and reinstall. My system has no XFree 4.0.x config files on it.

Plus, help me figure this out -

I can type mv /etc/XF86Config /etc/old-XF86Config on another console, switch back to the X console, do a <Ctrl> <Alt> <Backspace> to kill X windows and it will drop me back at the command prompt to log in.

Then, I can log in as root, mv /etc/old-XF86Config /etc/XF86Config type startx & it works. Back at the xdm login.

What gives ? (This is what I don't understand) All of the task-x-window and task-x-window-system-core packages updated succesfully, I still have the old xserver-svga on my system, but everything else is 4.0.2... (even the fonts)

[This message has been edited by MADHATter7 (edited 10 January 2001).]

[pointreyes]

Sounds like your xinit = 6 instead of 3.

[Strike]

You said:
Originally posted by MADHATter7:
Therefore, I did a complete reinstall of Slink and updated to Potato, Woody and now Sid. This included updating XFree from 3.3.6 to now Xfree 4.0.2
Updating X should have given you config files UNLESS you didn't use apt, which is what I'm beginning to think happened.

Actually, you might be (and I think you are) looking in the wrong place. The X4.0.2 files are in /etc/X11, not right in /etc (that changed from 3.3.x I think). For example, my config is /etc/X11/XF86Config-4.

[MADHATter7]

OK, I am home now posting this on my Sid box in XFree86 4.0.2 with Netscape 4.76. I am sorry to take up all of your time, Strike, as I am going to make a XFree86Config-4 file here in a little while anyway. But, I should clear up the following-

This is SOP when I decide to reinstall Debian: Reformat. Install Slink from the CD I have (minimum install --no X), edit sources.list, apt-get update, apt-get upgrade... (to Potato)

Then I have to update all packages to Potato (via apt-get). This is the point I install task-x-window and task-x-window-system-core. (XFree86 3.3.6) Then, I apt-get upgrade to Woody (now testing) and then carefully (and in a predefined order or things break) I apt-get up to Sid. THEN, I apt-get install then new task-xwindow packages.

I USE APT-GET +/- 98% OF THE TIME. (I HATE DSELECT)

You are right, XF86Config is in the /etc/X11/ directory, I just did not type it correctly in the post. (Sorry)

And my whole point is I do not have a XFree86Config-4 file in this directory, yet I am in X right now...

Partial list of /etc/X11/ directory:

X
XF86Config
XftConfig
Xmodmap
Xresources
Xserver
Xserver.bak
Xsession
Xsession.d
Xsession.options
Xwrapper.config
app-defaults
......


Why is X working ??

[Strike]

/etc/X11/XF86Config is fine, and it will load if there is no /etc/X11/XF86Config-4.

But I still think that it's odd that upgrading didn't create a new package for you... weird.