Re: how do I edit my XF86Config file while in runlevel 3?

[Jarod Wilson <jcw wilsonet com>]

> On 4/30/2003 at 4:03 PM Elton Woo wrote:
>
> > I'm about to install the nVidia drivers on my system. However, I must
> > confess that I'm more of a GUI user than a "command-line guru". The
> > installation instructions require that I re-edit my /etc/X11/XF86 
> > Config
> > file *before* booting into X. Could someone guide me on what/how to
> > do this? (Dummy-level instructions, please!)
> >
> > I think my previous failures in installing the dirvers are related to 
> > my
> > editing the file *after* booting into the GUI desktop.

Well, actually... You don't have to do the editing while in runlevel 3. 
It is just as possible to open the file with a GUI text editor while in 
X. Make your changes, and log out. When you log out, your current X 
session dies. Now log back in. You're spawning a new X session, which 
then uses the new XF86Config settings. I've done it plenty of times 
myself (well, actually, I use vi within a terminal window while in X, 
but same difference). Think about it; why would X care if you edit the 
config file after you've already read through it and launched X? It 
doesn't reread the config file again at intervals looking for changes...

Installing the drivers while already booted in the GUI just means you 
have to restart the GUI, so I don't think that should have anything to 
do with your previous failures, unless you weren't restarting X. But it 
is still a good idea to get to know a cli text editor! :)
--
Jarod C. Wilson, RHCE
<jcw wilsonet com>
"A wise man once said nothing at all."