NAME

xconfig − manipulate the X11 configuration file

SYNOPSIS

xconfig [−help] [−edit] [−list] [−delete] [−config configuration_file]
[−dir server_directory] [−display display_number]

SUMMARY

The xconfig utility allows the system administrator to interactively create, edit, list, and delete X11 display server configuration information stored in the system configuration file. 

OPTIONS

−help
Print out a summary of command line options

−edit
Allow interactive editing (or creating) of a display.

−list List the information about a display. 

−delete
Delete displays from the configuration file.

−config config_file
Specify an alternate configuration file in place of /usr/lib/X11/Xconfig. 

−dir server_directory
Specify an alternate server directory in place of /usr/lib/X11/Xservers.  This directory contains subdirectories, each of which contains a prototype Xconfig file. 

DESCRIPTION

The xconfig utility reads the standard system-wide display configuration file (/usr/lib/X11/Xconfig, unless overidden with the −config option) and allows this information to be viewed, edited, or deleted by the user. 

The xconfig utility understands an X11 “display” to be a collection of “resources” referred to by display name, where a “resource” is typically a single input or device, such as a mouse or video display.  The xconfig utility presents the collection of resources to the user as a single group, and allows each resource to be modified interactively via menus and questions. 

If invoked with the −display name option, xconfig will use the named display, then quit; otherwise, the top level will prompt for the display to use, perform the operation, and prompt for the next display.  At the display prompt, the user can view a list of all currently-configured displays using the l response. 

If the −list option was specified, xconfig will show the information for all resources specified for this display.  It will not allow any modifications to be made. 

If the −delete option was specified, xconfig will display the information for the display, then prompt the user for confirmation before actually deleting the display information.  If the user confirms, all references to the named display will be removed from the configuration file. 

Otherwise, xconfig will enter interactive editing mode.  It first presents a menu of resources to use, such as keyboard, mouse, and display.  Once the user selects a resource, xconfig will present another menu listing all possible choices for this type of resource.  For example, assuming the user chose display, he would be presented a menu that includes EGA and VGA displays, among others.  Next, xconfig will provide device-specific menus and questions based on the particular selection.  The actual data describing each resource type and device-specific data for each device is contained in the Xconfig files in each subdirectory of the /usr/lib/X11/Xservers directory.  Once the user has made all the changes, xconfig will print the new resource settings and ask for confirmation before saving the changes.  If the user confirms, all old information for the named display will be updated with the changed data, and any new data will be appended to the end of the xconfig file. 

Any time that xconfig presents a menu or asks a question, if a default answer exists, it will be shown inside brackets, and simply entering a carriage return will select the default.  If no default exists, you must select from the menu choices or enter an acceptable answer to a question.  Most menus and questions also allow using q to quit that part of xconfig without affecting the current display.  At all times, all valid menu choices will be shown to the user. 

FILES

/usr/lib/X11/Xconfigstandard system configuration file
/usr/lib/X11/Xserversserver directory
/usr/lib/X11/Xservers/*/Xconfig prototype Xconfig files for each
server

SEE ALSO

Xconfig(5). 

\*U  —  Version 1.0