Startx wrong window manager


Recommended Posts

I installed just the base system of Ubuntu. I also installed fluxbox then openbox. But now when I use the command startx, it loads openbox instead of fluxbox. What do I need to edit, so that I can use fluxbox?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use a display manager (gdm) to provide a graphical login. At that screen, you can select which environment to boot into for that 'session'. And you can make it remember that as default for all sessions. Or just for that one time.

If you want to start fluxbox when you are at a text-only level, you can just type fluxbox, I believe to start fluxbox, specifically.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Meh. I hardly ever play around at runlevel 3, so not surprised I was wrong.

sudo apt-get install gdm (or xdm for a slightly smaller, more basic option)

will install a display manager for you to boot into to select what session you want.

That may be more what you are looking for. If not, I can try playing around with runlevel 3 a bit more on my PC. Just not tonite - heading out for the evening.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm too lazy to read what that Gentoo article has to say, but I imagine it's something along these lines:

To start an X session with a window manager other than the default type "startx /path/to/wm" (where "/path/to/wm" is for example /usr/bin/fluxbox). This will start a fluxbox session. If you want it to auto start fluxbox with a simple "startx" you need to edit the .xinitrc file in your home directory and make sure fluxbox is the only window manager that isn't commented out.

Good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I installed just the base system of Ubuntu. I also installed fluxbox then openbox. But now when I use the command startx, it loads openbox instead of fluxbox. What do I need to edit, so that I can use fluxbox?

If you are using fluxbox and openbox, you are probably looking for lighter weight stuff. Use WDM for a selection screen...

I use a display manager (gdm) to provide a graphical login. At that screen, you can select which environment to boot into for that 'session'. And you can make it remember that as default for all sessions. Or just for that one time.

If you want to start fluxbox when you are at a text-only level, you can just type fluxbox, I believe to start fluxbox, specifically.

...instead of GDM or KDM. It is a login box based on WindowMaker, a lightweight window manager. Installing GDM will bloat your system which, seeing as you are using lightweight WMs it looks like you don't want that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are using fluxbox and openbox, you are probably looking for lighter weight stuff. Use WDM for a selection screen...

...instead of GDM or KDM. It is a login box based on WindowMaker, a lightweight window manager. Installing GDM will bloat your system which, seeing as you are using lightweight WMs it looks like you don't want that.

wdm is just an 'enhanced' version of xdm, which I already recommended if keeping a login/display manager (which you have loaded an interact with only briefly to login, then never see again) size down to a minimum.

I'm not sure if wdm offers a size advantage over xdm. However, since the OP has Ubuntu installed, I am pretty sure he already has gdm installed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

wdm is just an 'enhanced' version of xdm, which I already recommended if keeping a login/display manager (which you have loaded an interact with only briefly to login, then never see again) size down to a minimum.

I'm not sure if wdm offers a size advantage over xdm. However, since the OP has Ubuntu installed, I am pretty sure he already has gdm installed.

my bad! i thought the second option you wrote up there was kdm, i was reading too quickly... xdm is definately the slimmist but if it's too plain and you still want lightweight go for wdm.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think that any of them consume much more resources than just having X installed to begin with. In the end, they are just presented briefly to allow you to login and select a session to log into.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.