Arch Linux

virtualtom

Member

Registered: 2009-09-26

Posts: 1

Trying to get a KDE GUI in Arch

Hi there

I'm new to Arch and although I have had some limited Linux experience with Ubuntu I would really like to get a GUI going asap.

I have installed Arch without issue and I got to the point where I login as ROOT with my own password after the install.

I went to the forums and followed the basic instructions to install KDE.

I typed pacman -S kde

The install went without a hitch.

I then saw that I needed to install X

I typed pacman -S xorg

This also seemed to work ok

I then typed pacman -Sy nvidia to install the drivers for my video card.  8600 GT

I then typed startx

I got a simple frozen desktop with 3 CLT boxes on it and a small analog clock in the top right corner.

I could not get out of this screen so I did a hard reboot and logged in again.

I don't know what to do next to get my KDE GUI working, I'm kind of lost.

1. Do I need to install mouse drivers?
2. Do I need to configure any of the packages I install above?
3. I really want to get this to work, as I feel that this Arch distro has a lot to offer compared to the cookie cutter experience I got with Ubuntu.

HELP!!

Vladman

Member

Registered: 2009-01-28

Posts: 118

Re: Trying to get a KDE GUI in Arch

You need to add:  hal fam to your deamons list in /etc/rc.conf for the keyboard/mouse to work.
Also read the wiki beginners guide.

MadTux

Member

Registered: 2009-09-20

Posts: 553

Re: Trying to get a KDE GUI in Arch

You need to follow the procedure on how to install a desktop environment from the Beginners Guide:

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beg … nvironment

iBertus

Member

From: Greenville, NC

Registered: 2004-11-04

Posts: 2,228

Re: Trying to get a KDE GUI in Arch

Also, be sure to add a user and not use the root account for everyday stuff.

Pyntux

Member

From: Serbia

Registered: 2008-12-21

Posts: 415

Re: Trying to get a KDE GUI in Arch

I first do:

nvidia-xconfig

than add hal in to DAEMONS in file /etc/rc.conf, and install gamin (I use gamin, not fam), and you can add kdm in rc.conf in DAEMONS, or edit /etc/inittab to boot to the init 5 and kdm or some other...

Last edited by Pyntux (2009-09-28 06:26:32)

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Runiq

Member

From: Germany

Registered: 2008-10-29

Posts: 1,053

Re: Trying to get a KDE GUI in Arch

I got a simple frozen desktop with 3 CLT boxes on it and a small analog clock in the top right corner.

What you saw there was twm, xorg's own window manager, which starts 3 terminals and the clock. So basically, you successfully booted into X, which is an achievement in itself.

As mentioned above, you'll probably need to start kdm from your /etc/inittab. Uncomment the Boot to X11 line (id:5:initdefault) and the line at the end that starts kdm.

Also: *Please* add your own user account. Don't tinker around with your root account unless necessary.

Edit: I had the frozen desktop thing at the beginning too. Try installing xf86-input-mouse and xf86-input-keyboard, hope this helps.

Last edited by Runiq (2009-09-28 06:38:14)

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toasty_ghosty

Member

From: The Internets

Registered: 2009-01-12

Posts: 103

Re: Trying to get a KDE GUI in Arch

You are doing well!

The first time you install Arch It will seem like there is a lot to install, but don't worry much of the hard part is over.

Just make sure to follow the beginner's guide and you should be fine.

Welcome to Arch.

-Ghosty

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Pierre

Developer

From: Bonn

Registered: 2004-07-05

Posts: 1,967

Website

Re: Trying to get a KDE GUI in Arch

FYI: Neither fam or gamin is used by KDE. So those daemons are not needed.

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unideal

Member

Registered: 2009-09-24

Posts: 31

Re: Trying to get a KDE GUI in Arch

I got a simple frozen desktop with 3 CLT boxes on it and a small analog clock in the top right corner.

What you saw there was twm, xorg's own window manager, which starts 3 terminals and the clock. So basically, you successfully booted into X, which is an achievement in itself.

As mentioned above, you'll probably need to start kdm from your /etc/inittab. Uncomment the Boot to X11 line (id:5:initdefault) and the line at the end that starts kdm.

Also: *Please* add your own user account. Don't tinker around with your root account unless necessary.

Edit: I had the frozen desktop thing at the beginning too. Try installing xf86-input-mouse and xf86-input-keyboard, hope this helps.

A little bit offtopic, but kinda related question:

What are the differences running programs from /etc/inittab and adding daemon to /etc/rc.conf?

Are they the same thing in different form? For which things should I use inittab, and for which rc.conf? Which one gets executed first?

Runiq

Member

From: Germany

Registered: 2008-10-29

Posts: 1,053

Re: Trying to get a KDE GUI in Arch

I'd say inittab gets executed first. You define your rc.sysinit script in inittab. The sysinit script in turn sources rc.conf and then launches your daemons. Don't really have a clue in what way they're different, though. :-/

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