I need help with the .xinitrc (first time arch user)

Vortex4000 · 2011-02-27 09:57:38

I just installed Arch on a virtual machine and i am following the beginner guide step by step.

I have reached the point that i enable gnome-session to start automatically when you invoke startx.

The guide says i need to add the line "exec ck-launch-session gnome-session" in the xinitrc file.

I tried doing this in the root account and the system just doesnt login to gnome. I tried doing it using the normal user and the files just disappears, and cannot be edited.

I looked around on the internet and found that typing startx /usr/bin/gnome-session startx gnome, but it doesnot replace startx or starts automatically.

this is my first time using arch and i would like help.

Thank you.

loafer · 2011-02-27 10:06:32

A file won't "just disappear". Make sure .xinitrc is in your home dir and it is owned by your normal user.

Vortex4000 · 2011-02-27 10:07:56

Do I have to create the file with the normal user or just the root user?

litemotiv · 2011-02-27 10:17:17

The root user and the normal user each have their own home directory. Root's is in /root, the other in /home/<username>. The files need to be in the location of the user you log in with.

shadyabhi · 2011-02-27 10:29:34

Just delete whatever file you have in your user directory.

And as a normal user, login to console and type:

cp /etc/skel/.xinitrc ./
echo "ck-launch-session gnome-session" >> ./.xinitrc

jdarnold · 2011-02-27 12:00:38

You probably think the file "disappears" because .xinitrc is a "dot" file, which normally doesn't show up in an ls listing. Any file whose name begins with a '.' is a "hidden" file and generally doesn't show up in any listing. 'ls -a' to see it.

And please note that it is the file .xinitrc - ie, it begins with a period. This is the file that is looked for by X at start up.

Arch Linux

#1 2011-02-27 09:57:38

I need help with the .xinitrc (first time arch user)

#2 2011-02-27 10:06:32

Re: I need help with the .xinitrc (first time arch user)

#3 2011-02-27 10:07:56

Re: I need help with the .xinitrc (first time arch user)

#4 2011-02-27 10:17:17

Re: I need help with the .xinitrc (first time arch user)

#5 2011-02-27 10:29:34

Re: I need help with the .xinitrc (first time arch user)

#6 2011-02-27 12:00:38

Re: I need help with the .xinitrc (first time arch user)

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