Red Hat Linux 7 Unleashed

Red Hat Linux 7 Unleashed

By William Ball

Choosing a Configuration Tool

The largest hurdle most new X users face after installing XFree86 is coming up with a working XF86Config file. This file can be initially generated during your install, but if you have a problematic graphics chipset, you may need to "tweak" your configuration after booting, or may even want to postpone configuring X11 until after you first log in.

This is sometimes the safest approach; trying to log in to a Linux system configured to boot directly to X11 without a properly configured system can be confounding. Fortunately, if you run into this problem, you can simply press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, reboot, then either press Ctrl+X at the Red Hat LILO login, or pass the kernel argument linux single at the LILO boot prompt like this:

boot: linux single

If you already have a working setup, chances are your old XFree86 3.3.6 XF86Config may work, as there is some compatibility built into the new server. However, the new version of XFree86 uses a new layout and structure for the XF86Config file!

If you're starting from scratch, one of the first things you should do after installing X and before configuration is to read as much of the documentation as possible. Although the daring and brave will launch right into configuring X11, even experienced users will benefit from reading about the latest XFree86 developments and checking the XFree86 documentation for tips about their specific hardware.

Documentation at the time of this writing was still a bit sparse, but you will find information under the /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/doc directory. Table 4.1 contains the details of this directory for XFree86 4.0.1. Note that documentation for the release is still somewhat sparse; just because you don't see a README file for your graphics chipset does not mean that it is not supported! This is true for Cirrus Logic, NeoMagic, Tseng, and Trident chipsets. You'll find detailed information regarding protocols, libraries, clients, and other services under the /usr/share/doc/XFree86-doc-4.0.1 directory.

Table 4.1. XFree86 Documentation

File Description
DESIGN Extensive server design information
LICENSE Licensing and copyright statement
README General information about the current XFree86 release
README.DECtga Information for DEC 21030 users
README.DGA How to program for the XFree86 DGA interface
README.DRI Information about DRI support
README.DRIcomp Compilation information about DRI
README.S3 Notes for S3 chipset users
README.s3virge Notes for S3 ViRGE, ViRGE/DX, ViRGE/GX, ViRGE/MX, and ViRGE/VX users
README.SiS Notes for SiS chipset users
README.apm Notes about the Alliance Promotion chipset
README.ati Information about XFree86's ATI Adapters video drivers
README.chips Notes about Chips and Technologies chipsets
README.cyrix Info for Cyrix MeidaGX users
README.fonts Using fonts with XFree86
README.i740 Info for Intel 740-based graphics cards
README.i810 Info regarding Intel 810 motherboards
README.mouse Details about XFree86's X11 mouse support
README.r128 ATI Rage 128 information
README.rendition Details about Rendition chipset users
RELNOTES The definitive release notes for XFree86
ServersOnly How your directories should look when building XFree86 X servers
Status Driver status in the release
VideoBoard98 Info on the PC98 XFree86 server

If you're new to X11, first read the man pages for X and XFree86 for an overview of X. Before you begin configuring X, you need to know some technical details about your computer and your computer's video card and monitor. Here is some of the information that will help:

Armed with this information, you then have to choose the method or tool for configuring XFree86 and generate a correct XF86Config file for your system. There are a number of ways to do this:

All these methods may be done from your console's command line or from a terminal window's command line.

Xconfigurator and xf86cfg have the advantage of providing a graphical interface; xf86config asks a series of questions in a text-mode screen; and XFree86 performs the configuration automagically. If you're lucky, your computer's hardware will exactly match the configuration generated by these programs. Problems can arise if the settings don't work, if you've entered incorrect information, or if your video chipset is not fully supported by the required module used by the XFree86 server.

In general, video hardware a couple years old will fare much better than "bleeding-edge" video cards because software contributors have had a chance to work with the video chipsets. Laptop users can also run into special problems, and it can be disheartening to buy the latest laptop, only to find that the embedded video system will not work with X—it pays to research!

Desktop users have the option of installing a new, supported video card. Laptop users should definitely check the Linux laptop user site at http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/kharker/linux-laptop.

If you find you cannot get correct settings, or if your chipset is not supported, you can also buy a commercial X distribution from one of the vendors mentioned in the introduction. Finally, your last resort is to whine at, plead with, cajole, or bribe a knowledgeable programmer to build a module for you from the XFree86 sources (but this rarely works).

Remember: The aim is to generate the best possible working XF86Config file for your needs!

The XF86Config File

Without a doubt, the most important configuration file for XFree86 is the XF86Config file. This file is used to properly feed font, keyboard, mouse, video chipset module, monitor capabilities, and color-depth setting information to the XFree86 server. When you start an X session, your X server will search for this file. XF86Config, although normally located under the /etc/X11 directory, may also be located under the /usr/X11R6/lib/X11 directory, the /etc directory, the /usr/X11R6/etc/X11 directory, or a directory pointed to by the environment variable $XF86CONFIG or $HOME.

XF86Config is a single text file, consisting of several sections:

To learn more about the XF86Config file, read the XF86Config man page.

Using the XFree86 Server

One of the new features of XFree86 4.0.1 is that you can try using the XFree86 to configure X11 automatically and create a working XF86Config file. Although this approach will not work for all graphics cards, you may find it a convenient way to configure and test your settings, especially if you've just installed a new graphics card in your system.

The XFree86 server has many different command-line options, but to create a test XF86Config file, first make sure that X11 is not running, and log in as the root operator. Next, make a backup of any working XF86Config file. Then use the server, along with its -configure option, like this:

					
   # XFree86 -configure 2>test.txt

The server will create a report in the file test.txt that details the probe of your computer's graphics card and input hardware. For example, the file will contain results of loading various modules, a list of installed video drivers, results of loading each of the various drivers, file paths, probes of input hardware, and the result of the probe:

XFree86 Version 4.0.1 / X Window System
(protocol Version 11, revision 0, vendor release 6400)
...
(--) Chipset neo2200 found
...

During the configure operation, the server also creates a file named XF86Config.new under the /root directory. You can then test your new configuration by again using the server with its -xf86config command-line option, like this:

					
   # XFree86 -xf86config /root/XF86Config.new

If the new XF86Config works, you can then copy it to the /etc/X11 directory, and hand-edit the file.

Using Xconfigurator

Red Hat's Xconfigurator generates an XF86Config file after it probes your system and asks several questions. This program may be used from the console (without X11) when you need to generate a new configuration file, such as after you change your computer's graphics card. You must run this program as the root operator. Start Xconfigurator from the command line of your console or from an X11 terminal window, like this:

					
   # Xconfigurator

The screen clears and a dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 4.1.

Use the Tab key to navigate to different buttons on the screen, and then press Enter when the OK button is highlighted. Xconfigurator first probes to find your computer's graphics card, as shown in Figure 4.2.

04fig01.gif

Figure 4.1 Red Hat's Xconfigurator generates the required XF86Config file for XFree86.

04fig02.gif

Figure 4.2 Xconfigurator reports on your video card with a small dialog box.

After you click OK, you are presented with a dialog box that asks for the type of monitor attached to your computer (see Figure 4.3). Nearly 1,800 monitors are listed in the Xconfigurator's database (found in the MonitorsDB file under the /usr/X11R6/share/ Xconfigurator directory). Desktop users will probably find their model listed. Scroll down the list until your model is highlighted and then click OK. Laptop users can try to select the different LCD Panel monitors from the list. If you have a desktop computer and your monitor is not listed, try to select a model that is close, or better yet, select the Custom monitor and enter the horizontal and vertical frequency specifications for your model (the information should be in your monitor's manual; if not, check with the manufacturer).

04fig03.gif

Figure 4.3 Xconfigurator has nearly 1,800 monitors in its model database.

Don't panic if you don't find your monitor listed or are using a laptop. Select the Custom monitor and click OK. Xconfigurator presents an introductory dialog box. When you click OK, you're presented a list of monitor resolutions and frequencies, as shown in Figure 4.4.

04fig04.gif

Figure 4.4 Xconfigurator allows pre-selected or custom monitor settings.

At this point, using Xconfigurator might be somewhat confusing. Although the program says a horizontal frequency is being selected, you are asked to select a video resolution and monitor frequency. The best bet is to pick a resolution you know is supported by your monitor and click OK, otherwise select the Custom item. If you're not sure the correct information for your monitor will be inserted into your XF86Config file (which Xconfigurator will create after you've finished entering all the information), make sure to edit and change the inserted horizontal frequency settings before starting your first X session.

The next dialog box, shown in Figure 4.5, asks for the horizontal and vertical frequency ranges of your monitor. Click OK when finished.

04fig05.gif

Figure 4.5 Xconfigurator offers custom frequency monitor settings.

The next dialog box (shown in Figure 4.6) asks how much video memory your graphics card has. In general, the more video memory you have, the higher resolution or color depth supported by your computer. If you have upgradable video memory, you may benefit by adding memory (depending on your monitor and support by the XFree86 server for your video chipset).

Interestingly, no matter what memory value you select, the XFree86 server should automatically recognize the amount of installed memory. In some cases—especially where the correct video RAM values are not correctly probed at startup by the server, or if you want to reserve parts of video memory—you can edit XF86Config manually to use your selected memory setting. Select the currently installed amount of memory and click OK.

Xconfigurator next asks for the type of clockchip in your video subsystem (see Figure 4.7). If you're not sure whether your video card uses clockchip settings, select No Clockchip Setting.

If you're sure about the type of clockchip used (by checking your video card or computer documentation), select one of the 12 clockchips listed and click OK.

04fig06.gif

Figure 4.6 Xconfigurator offers eight video memory configurations.

04fig07.gif

Figure 4.7 Xconfigurator lists 12 clockchips.

After probing your video, Xconfigurator will ask (as shown in Figure 4.8) for the desired video resolutions (such as 800x600) and color depths (such as 8 bit, or 256 colors, or 16 bit for thousands of colors). Select different settings by navigating with your Tab and cursor keys and pressing the spacebar. You can also choose to select what you think is the best setting possible. If you choose multiple resolutions at different color depths, you may be able to use the XFree86 "Zoom" feature to change resolutions on-the-fly during you X11 sessions (by using Ctrl+Alt+ the Keypad's plus (+) or minus (–) keys). Do not select video resolutions greater than allowed by your monitor unless you want to use virtual resolutions (in which your display becomes a movable window on a large display).

When you're finished, click OK.

04fig08.gif

Figure 4.8 Xconfigurator configures a combination of video resolutions and color depths.

In the next step, Xconfigurator attempts to start X in order to test your settings (as shown in Figure 4.9). You can skip the test or press OK to start the X server. If you skip the test, Xconfigurator then creates and saves your XF86Config file, saving it under the /etc/X11 directory.

04fig09.gif

Figure 4.9 Xconfigurator offers to test your graphics card and monitor settings.

After you start the test (which uses the Xtest client found under the /usr/X11R6/bin directory), the screen clears and you may see a small dialog box. The dialog box asks if you can see this message. If you click Yes, you are then asked if you want to automatically start X upon booting. If you choose Yes, your Red Hat Linux system initialization table (the file inittab under the /etc directory) is modified to boot Linux directly to runlevel 5 (see Chapter 9, "System Startup and Shutdown" for details). You then need to log in through the gdm or GNOME display manager (discussed in Chapter 5, "Window Managers" ). If you click No, you have to use the startx command to begin your X sessions.

After clicking Yes or No, Xconfigurator then creates and saves your XF86Config file under the /etc/X11 directory before quitting.

Using the xf86cfg Command

The xf86cfg command is a new client included with the XFree86 X11 distribution that you can use to configure X11. The command will launch an X11 session using the twm window manager, and offers a graphical interface to setting up your XF86Config file. You can launch the client by using the command line like this:

					
   # xf86cfg

After you press Enter, the screen will clear, and you may (or may not) see a dialog you can use to configure various components. Note that this client is a "work-in-progress"; if it works on your computer, great! If not, try using a different method to configure your XF86Config. The xf86cfg command, like the XFree86 server, will create a file named XF86Config.new under the /root directory.

Using the xf86config Command

XFree86 also comes with an improved version of its legacy configuration command, xf86config, found under the /usr/X11R6/bin directory. This command works from the command line of your console or an X11 terminal window. Start the command like this:

					
   # xf86config

After you press Enter, you'll see:

This program will create a basic XF86Config file, based on menu selections you
make.

The XF86Config file usually resides in /usr/X11R6/etc/X11 or /etc/X11. A sample
XF86Config file is supplied with XFree86; it is configured for a standard
VGA card and monitor with 640x480 resolution. This program will ask for a
pathname when it is ready to write the file.

You can either take the sample XF86Config as a base and edit it for your
configuration, or let this program produce a base XF86Config file for your
configuration and fine-tune it.

Before continuing with this program, make sure you know what video card
you have, and preferably also the chipset it uses and the amount of video
memory on your video card. SuperProbe may be able to help with this.

Press enter to continue, or ctrl-c to abort.

Press Enter again. You'll then get the mouse configuration screen, which contains this text: 

First specify a mouse protocol type. Choose one from the following list:

 1.  Microsoft compatible (2-button protocol)
 2.  Mouse Systems (3-button protocol)
 3.  Bus Mouse
 4.  PS/2 Mouse
 5.  Logitech Mouse (serial, old type, Logitech protocol)
 6.  Logitech MouseMan (Microsoft compatible)
 7.  MM Series
 8.  MM HitTablet
 9.  Microsoft IntelliMouse

If you have a two-button mouse, it is most likely of type 1, and if you have
a three-button mouse, it can probably support both protocol 1 and 2. There are
two main varieties of the latter type: mice with a switch to select the
protocol, and mice that default to 1 and require a button to be held at
boot-time to select protocol 2. Some mice can be convinced to do 2 by sending
a special sequence to the serial port (see the ClearDTR/ClearRTS options).

Enter a protocol number: 4

As you can see, you have a choice of nine different pointers. If you use a USB mouse, don't worry! You can still configure X11 to use your pointer. For now, enter a number corresponding with your pointer and press Enter. You're asked whether you want three-button emulation: 

If your mouse has only two buttons, it is recommended that you enable
Emulate3Buttons.

Please answer the following question with either 'y'or 'n'.
Do you want to enable Emulate3Buttons? y

Press the y key if desired, followed by the Enter key. Next you're asked for the Linux device corresponding with your pointer. For Red Hat users, this is /dev/mouse. 

Now give the full device name that the mouse is connected to, for example
/dev/tty00. Just pressing enter will use the default, /dev/mouse.

Mouse device:

If you have a different pointer, enter its device name from the /dev directory and press Enter. The xf86config command follows up and asks about your choice of keyboards: 

Please select one of the following keyboard types that is the better
description of your keyboard. If nothing really matches,
choose 1 (Generic 101-key PC)

  1  Generic 101-key PC
  2  Generic 102-key (Intl) PC
  3  Generic 104-key PC
  4  Generic 105-key (Intl) PC
  5  Dell 101-key PC
  6  Everex STEPnote
  7  Keytronic FlexPro
  8  Microsoft Natural
  9  Northgate OmniKey 101
 10  Winbook Model XP5
 11  Japanese 106-key
 12  PC-98xx Series

Enter a number to choose the keyboard. 1

After you choose a keyboard, xf86config then asks you to choose a country (or language) for the keyboard: 

  1  U.S. English
  2  U.S. English w/ISO9995-3
  3  Belgian
  4  Bulgarian
  5  Canadian
  6  Czech
  7  German
  8  Swiss German
  9  Danish
 10  Spanish
 11  Finnish
 12  French
 13  Swiss French
 14  United Kingdom
 15  Hungarian
 16  Italian
 17  Japanese
 18  Norwegian

Enter a number to choose the country.
Press enter for the next page

If you do not see your country listed, press Enter again:

 19  Polish
 20  Portugese
 21  Russian
 22  Slovak
 23  Swedish
 24  Thai
 25  PC-98xx Series

Enter a number to choose the country.
Press enter for the next page 
1

After choosing your language, you'll then be presented with a short introductory screen before being asked for your monitor's specifics. 

Now we want to set the specifications of the monitor. The two critical
parameters are the vertical refresh rate, which is the rate at which
the whole screen is refreshed, and most importantly the horizontal sync rate,
which is the rate at which scanlines are displayed.

The valid range for horizontal sync and vertical sync should be documented
in the manual of your monitor. If in doubt, check the monitor database
/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/doc/Monitors to see if your monitor is there.

Press enter to continue, or ctrl-c to abort.

Press the Enter key, and you'll see the following text:

You must indicate the horizontal sync range of your monitor. You can either
select one of the predefined ranges below that correspond to industry-
standard monitor types, or give a specific range.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you do not specify a monitor type with a horizontal
sync range that is beyond the capabilities of your monitor. If in doubt,
choose a conservative setting.

    hsync in kHz; monitor type with characteristic modes
 1  31.5; Standard VGA, 640x480 @ 60 Hz
 2  31.5 - 35.1; Super VGA, 800x600 @ 56 Hz
 3  31.5, 35.5; 8514 Compatible, 1024x768 @ 87 Hz interlaced (no 800x600)
 4  31.5, 35.15, 35.5; Super VGA, 1024x768 @ 87 Hz interlaced, 800x600 @ 56 Hz
 5  31.5 - 37.9; Extended Super VGA, 800x600 @ 60 Hz, 640x480 @ 72 Hz
 6  31.5 - 48.5; Non-Interlaced SVGA, 1024x768 @ 60 Hz, 800x600 @ 72 Hz
 7  31.5 - 57.0; High Frequency SVGA, 1024x768 @ 70 Hz
 8  31.5 - 64.3; Monitor that can do 1280x1024 @ 60 Hz
 9  31.5 - 79.0; Monitor that can do 1280x1024 @ 74 Hz
10  31.5 - 82.0; Monitor that can do 1280x1024 @ 76 Hz
11  Enter your own horizontal sync range

Enter your choice (1-11): 11

Enter a number corresponding to your monitor's characteristics. If you prefer, enter the number 11 to give a specific horizontal sync range. You then see this text:

Please enter the horizontal sync range of your monitor, in the format used
in the table of monitor types above. You can either specify one or more
continuous ranges (e.g. 15-25, 30-50), or one or more fixed sync frequencies.

Horizontal sync range: 31.5-37.9

Press the Enter key. You are then asked to enter the vertical range.

You must indicate the vertical sync range of your monitor. You can either
select one of the predefined ranges below that correspond to industry-
standard monitor types, or give a specific range. For interlaced modes,
the number that counts is the high one (e.g. 87 Hz rather than 43 Hz).

 1  50-70
 2  50-90
 3  50-100
 4  40-150
 5  Enter your own vertical sync range

Enter your choice: 5

If you prefer to enter your own range, choose 5 and press the Enter key. Now you'll see this text: 

Vertical sync range: 50-70

Enter your monitor's vertical range, such as 50-70, and press the Enter key. You are asked to enter three lines of description for your monitor. Enter a description, as well as your monitor's manufacturer and model. You can also just press the Enter key; this information is not critical.

You must now enter a few identification/description strings, namely an
identifier, a vendor name, and a model name. Just pressing enter will fill
in default names.

The strings are free-form, spaces are allowed.
Enter an identifier for your monitor definition:
Enter the vendor name of your monitor:
Enter the model name of your monitor:

After you enter the model name and press the Enter key, xf86config presents an introduction dialog box to video card selection and asks if you want to look at the card database: 

Now we must configure video card specific settings. At this point you can
choose to make a selection out of a database of video card definitions.
Because there can be variation in Ramdacs and clock generators even
between cards of the same model, it is not sensible to blindly copy
the settings (e.g. a Device section). For this reason, after you make a
selection, you will still be asked about the components of the card, with
the settings from the chosen database entry presented as a strong hint.

The database entries include information about the chipset, what server to
run, the Ramdac and ClockChip, and comments that will be included in the
Device section. However, a lot of definitions only hint about what server
to run (based on the chipset the card uses) and are untested.

If you can't find your card in the database, there's nothing to worry about.
You should only choose a database entry that is exactly the same model as
your card; choosing one that looks similar is just a bad idea (e.g. a
GemStone Snail 64 may be as different from a GemStone Snail 64+ in terms of
hardware as can be).

Do you want to look at the card database?  y

You'll see the following list of the first 18 video cards in XFree86's card database of more than 700 cards(!) (located in the file Cards, under the /usr/X11R6/lib/X11 directory):

  0  2 the Max MAXColor S3 Trio64V+                    S3 Trio64V+
  1  3DLabs Oxygen GMX                                 PERMEDIA 2
  2  3DVision-i740 AGP                                 Intel 740
  3  3Dlabs Permedia2 (generic)                        PERMEDIA 2
  4  928Movie                                          S3 928
  5  ABIT G740 8MB SDRAM                               Intel 740
  6  AGP 2D/3D V. 1N, AGP-740D                         Intel 740
  7  AGX (generic)                                     AGX-014/15/16
  8  ALG-5434(E)                                       CL-GD5434
  9  AOpen AGP 2X 3D Navigator PA740                   Intel 740
 10  AOpen PA2010                                      Voodoo Banshee
 11  AOpen PA45                                        SiS6326
 12  AOpen PA50D                                       SiS6326
 13  AOpen PA50E                                       SiS6326
 14  AOpen PA50V                                       SiS6326
 15  AOpen PA80/DVD                                    SiS6326
 16  AOpen PG128                                       S3 Trio3D
 17  AOpen PG975                                       3dimage975

Enter a number to choose the corresponding card definition.
Press enter for the next page, q to continue configuration.

Your choices are to enter a number corresponding to your card (or a card recommended as a close choice by the README file for your card under the /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/doc directory), to press the Enter key to page to the next screen, or to press q to continue the configuration. Note that if you press q, xf86config uses Unknown for your graphics device. On the other hand, if you pick a specific card, xf86config reports with an identifier, chipset, and selected driver appropriate for your chipset.

Your selected card definition:

Identifier: NeoMagic 256 (laptop/notebook)
Chipset:    MagicMedia 256 series
Driver:     neomagic

Press enter to continue, or ctrl-c to abort.

Next, you're asked to enter the amount of video memory installed in your graphics card: 

Now you must give information about your video card. This will be used for
the "Device" section of your video card in XF86Config.

You must indicate how much video memory you have. It is probably a good
idea to use the same approximate amount as that detected by the server you
intend to use. If you encounter problems that are due to the used server
not supporting the amount of memory you have (e.g. ATI Mach64 is limited to
1024K with the SVGA server), specify the maximum amount supported by the
server.

How much video memory do you have on your video card:

 1  256K
 2  512K
 3  1024K
 4  2048K
 5  4096K
 6  Other

Enter your choice:

Either enter a number corresponding to the amount of memory or enter 6, press Enter, and then enter the amount of memory, in kilobytes, supported by your card. Note that your video RAM value should be probed correctly by the X server.

You're asked to enter information as you did for your monitor, but now about your video card: 

You must now enter a few identification/description strings, namely an
identifier, a vendor name, and a model name. Just pressing enter will fill
in default names (possibly from a card definition).

Your card definition is NeoMagic 256 (laptop/notebook).

The strings are free-form, spaces are allowed.
Enter an identifier for your video card definition:
You can simply press enter here if you have a generic card, or want to
describe your card with one string.
Enter the vendor name of your video card:
Enter the model (board) name of your video card:

Again, it's not necessary to fill out this information. After pressing the Enter key, you're asked if you want to change the resolutions for each color depth supported by your computer's video card:

For each depth, a list of modes (resolutions) is defined. The default
resolution that the server will start-up with will be the first listed
mode that can be supported by the monitor and card.
Currently it is set to:

"640x480" "800x600" "1024x768" "1280x1024" for 8-bit
"640x480" "800x600" "1024x768" for 16-bit
"640x480" "800x600" for 24-bit

Modes that cannot be supported due to monitor or clock constraints will
be automatically skipped by the server.

 1  Change the modes for 8-bit (256 colors)
 2  Change the modes for 16-bit (32K/64K colors)
 3  Change the modes for 24-bit (24-bit color)
 4  The modes are OK, continue.

Enter your choice:

If you choose to change some of the settings, you're asked to choose specific resolutions for each color depth and whether you'd like a virtual screen size larger than your display (such as an 800x600 virtual screen when using a 640x480 display). Change the settings for each mode by pressing a key (1 through 4; press 5 to accept the defaults) and then press Enter to continue.

You'll then be asked for a default color depth to use:

Please specify which color depth you want to use by default:

  1  1 bit (monochrome)
  2  4 bits (16 colors)
  3  8 bits (256 colors)
  4  16 bits (65536 colors)
  5  24 bits (16 million colors)

Enter a number to choose the default depth.
4

The xf86config command asks if you want to save the generated XF86Config file. Enter a y and press Enter—you're done.

I am going to write the XF86Config file now. Make sure you don't accidentally
overwrite a previously configured one.

Shall I write it to /etc/X11/XF86Config? y

Finally, if you don't want to use Xconfigurator, xf86cfg, or xf86config to generate an XF86Config file, you can create your own. You'll find a template file, XF86Config.eg, under the /usr/X11R6/lib/X11 directory. Copy this file to your directory and edit it in your favorite text editor, inserting specifications for your system and X server.

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