startx and xinit open differently?

quotidian · 2012-05-22 13:37:39

When I use startx it brings up the 3 xterms and the clock in the top right corner.

However when I use xinit it only brings up 1 xterm and it doesn't start the xserver?

Any idea what is wrong?

Thanks
A

adamrehard · 2012-05-22 13:56:56

I've noticed this before too, and I can't tell you why. They both read .xinitrc or /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc if a per-user file doesn't exist.

What do you mean that xinit doesn't start X?
Are you looking to install another WM/DE or stick with twm?

quotidian · 2012-05-22 14:00:03

adamrehard wrote:

I've noticed this before too, and I can't tell you why. They both read .xinitrc or /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc if a per-user file doesn't exist.
What do you mean that xinit doesn't start X?
Are you looking to install another WM/DE or stick with twm?

I brings up the xterm in the top left corner of the screen but its not in a window that I can drag or resize.

Trilby · 2012-05-22 14:05:32

Startx and xinitrc to do things differently, this is expected.

Startx is a script, you can open it in an editor and see what it does. Eventually, they both source an xinitrc file, but startx does a lot before that.

Do you have a WM installed? If not why would you expect to have a window to drag? The xserver and xsession have started, just no window manager.

Have you followed the Beginners Guide on the wiki (trick question, I know the answer is no - also a hypothetical question indicating that you should).

bohoomil · 2012-05-22 14:11:05

man xinit
If no specific client program is given on the command line, xinit
will look for a file in the user's home directory called .xinitrc
to run as a shell script to start up client programs. If no such
file exists, xinit will use the following as a default:
xterm -geometry +1+1 -n login -display :0

However, the generic script startx sources by default -- when it can't find $HOME/.xinitrc -- is located in /etc/X11/xinit.

quotidian · 2012-05-22 14:12:53

Trilby wrote:

Startx and xinitrc to do things differently, this is expected.
Startx is a script, you can open it in an editor and see what it does. Eventually, they both source an xinitrc file, but startx does a lot before that.
Do you have a WM installed? If not why would you expect to have a window to drag? The xserver and xsession have started, just no window manager.

I have twm installed as this is what comes up when I use startx but xinit doesn't bring up any WM.

JackH79 · 2012-05-22 14:17:38

If you use xinit, you start X and an xterm. If you see the three terminals and the clock, you start X and twm (which you probably installed during your first install) through startx.

Last edited by JackH79 (2012-05-22 14:18:49)

Trilby · 2012-05-22 14:36:11

Given the symptoms described, it sounds like everything is working just the way it supposed to. So, to answer your original question of "What is wrong?": Nothing.

Arch Linux

#1 2012-05-22 13:37:39

startx and xinit open differently?

#2 2012-05-22 13:56:56

Re: startx and xinit open differently?

#3 2012-05-22 14:00:03

Re: startx and xinit open differently?

#4 2012-05-22 14:05:32

Re: startx and xinit open differently?

#5 2012-05-22 14:11:05

Re: startx and xinit open differently?

#6 2012-05-22 14:12:53

Re: startx and xinit open differently?

#7 2012-05-22 14:17:38

Re: startx and xinit open differently?

#8 2012-05-22 14:36:11

Re: startx and xinit open differently?

Board footer