Can't use cwm window manager...

abdullahalam · 2017-07-04 18:52:25

I am currently using i3-gaps, wanted to give cwm a try. I installed it from AUR, it didn't work. It installed fine, I changed i3 to cwm in my ~/.xinitrc file.

Then on running startx, I got a blank screen with a cursor in the center. I'm assuming cwm ran, as right click was working, and it gave me the option of launching term. Clicking on it does nothing. (I've got xterm, urxvt, termite installed).

Here's my ~/.cwmrc file:

# Set default Xft(3) font
fontname "sans-serif:pixelsize=14:bold"

# Turn on sticky-group mode
sticky yes


# Any entry here is shown in the application menu
command firefox         firefox
command xmms            xmms
command top             "xterm -e top"


# Autogroup definitions
autogroup 3 "aterm,XTerm"
autogroup 3 "xterm,XTerm"


# Ignore programs by that name by not drawing borders around them.
ignore XMMS
ignore xwi
ignore xapm
ignore xclock


# Key bindings
bind CM-r       label
bind CS-Return  "termite -e top"
bind 4-o        unmap
bind CM-equal   unmap
bind CMS-equal  unmap
bind C4-equal   vmaximize
bind C4S-equal  hmaximize
bind M-1        grouponly1
bind M-2        grouponly2
bind M-3        grouponly3
bind MS-1       movetogroup1
bind MS-2       movetogroup2
bind MS-3       movetogroup3


# Mouse bindings
mousebind M-2   window_lower
mousebind M-3   window_resize

Ctrl + Alt + Return does not open any terminal.
Alt + W doesn't launch the menu.
I tried a lot of key combinations, I just can't get cwm to work!

Probably helpful side note: I'd set

xsetroot -solid steelblue

and the background was still a dark grey. Not sure if it's related, just thought it to be worth mentioning...

Last edited by abdullahalam (2017-07-04 18:53:13)

jasonwryan · 2017-07-04 19:07:42

Moving to AUR Issues...

abdullahalam · 2017-07-05 00:51:38

Actually, when that didn't work, I git cloned and did a make install myself. It shows the exact same problem. So no, not an AUR issue.

2ManyDogs · 2017-07-05 00:57:43

This was moved to AUR issues because it's an issue with something not in the standard repos, but packaged in the AUR. This does not mean it's an issue with the AUR itself.

Have you tried running cwm without a .cwmrc file? When you run with your .cwmrc file and you get the right-click menu, do you see all the other entires you have specified ("firefox, xmms, top")? Also, please post the contents of your .xinitrc file, and the output of "xterm -version".

cwm works for me both without and with your .cwmrc file. I suspect there is something else wrong with your setup.

Last edited by 2ManyDogs (2017-07-05 01:40:19)

abdullahalam · 2017-07-05 04:08:35

Have you tried running cwm without a .cwmrc file?

As a matter of fact, I first ran it without the .cwmrc, and when
it didn't work, I tried using it with.

When you run with your .cwmrc file and you get the
right-click menu, do you see all the other entires you have
specified ("firefox, xmms, top")?

Yes, I do. Which is what surprising me; that works, but the key
and mouse bindings don't.

Also, please post the contents of your .xinitrc
file

cwm

and the output of "xterm -version".

XTerm(330)

I'm stumped; can't figure out what's wrong!

2ManyDogs · 2017-07-05 12:48:16

Seriously? That's the complete contents of your .xinitrc? What about the xsetroot call you said you had in there in your first post?

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xinit#xinitrc

(edit) OK -- while I still think your .xinitrc needs improvement, that's not the problem. If I change my .xinitrc to just "cwm" it all still works here.

Can you try adding an xterm call to your xinitrc to make sure the terminal is working?

xterm &
exec cwm

And just to check a few more things -- how did you install Arch? Are you starting X as your regular user, not as root?

Last edited by 2ManyDogs (2017-07-05 13:30:00)

Arch Linux

#1 2017-07-04 18:52:25

Can't use cwm window manager...

#2 2017-07-04 19:07:42

Re: Can't use cwm window manager...

#3 2017-07-05 00:51:38

Re: Can't use cwm window manager...

#4 2017-07-05 00:57:43

Re: Can't use cwm window manager...

#5 2017-07-05 04:08:35

Re: Can't use cwm window manager...

#6 2017-07-05 12:48:16

Re: Can't use cwm window manager...

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