Arch Linux

ace_w1zard

Member

Registered: 2010-07-07

Posts: 83

~/. xinitrc is empty?!?

hey guys, while i was configing my system for gnome and X, i read on the beginners guid that i have to edit my "xinitrc" file, so that i can uncomment or add "exec"  to my disered DE [gnome]. but when i open it [nano ~/.xinitrc] it does not have ANY TEXT in the file! what is going on and how can it be fixed so i can do the "exec" thing?

flamelab

Member

From: Athens, Hellas (Greece)

Registered: 2007-12-26

Posts: 2,160

Re: ~/. xinitrc is empty?!?

It's not there ?

ls -la /home/<your-user> | grep xinitrc

?

Since it may be not there, you can find a default copy of it in /etc/skel/.xinitrc

Inxsible

Forum Fellow

From: Chicago

Registered: 2008-06-09

Posts: 9,183

Re: ~/. xinitrc is empty?!?

hey guys, while i was configing my system for gnome and X, i read on the beginners guid that i have to edit my "xinitrc" file, so that i can uncomment or add "exec"  to my disered DE [gnome]. but when i open it [nano ~/.xinitrc] it does not have ANY TEXT in the file! what is going on and how can it be fixed so i can do the "exec" thing?

.xinitrc files do not exist automatically. you have to create it. when you did nano ~/.xinitrc, it created the file and so you have to now add stuff to it. Alternatively you can copy a stub of xinitrc from /etc/skel

Seems you have a lot of reading up to do.

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xinitrc

Last edited by Inxsible (2010-07-13 16:22:05)

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ace_w1zard

Member

Registered: 2010-07-07

Posts: 83

Re: ~/. xinitrc is empty?!?

hey guys, while i was configing my system for gnome and X, i read on the beginners guid that i have to edit my "xinitrc" file, so that i can uncomment or add "exec"  to my disered DE [gnome]. but when i open it [nano ~/.xinitrc] it does not have ANY TEXT in the file! what is going on and how can it be fixed so i can do the "exec" thing?

.xinitrc files do not exist automatically. you have to create it. when you did nano ~/.xinitrc, it created the file and so you have to now add stuff to it. Alternatively you can copy a stub of xinitrc from /etc/skel

Seems you have a lot of reading up to do.

http://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xinitrc

ok thank you for your help so much, but do i have to edit this file? cause arch is working with out it, is it requiered?

Inxsible

Forum Fellow

From: Chicago

Registered: 2008-06-09

Posts: 9,183

Re: ~/. xinitrc is empty?!?

If you are using a DE, and login manager, you most likely do not, as you yourself have seen.

Wm users -- and especially ppl who use multiple wms need this as a way to quickly switch wms.

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skunktrader

Member

From: Brisbane, Australia

Registered: 2010-02-14

Posts: 1,543

Re: ~/. xinitrc is empty?!?

I'm guessing that you missed this step in the beginners guide:

cp /etc/skel/.xinitrc ~/

ace_w1zard

Member

Registered: 2010-07-07

Posts: 83

Re: ~/. xinitrc is empty?!?

I'm guessing that you missed this step in the beginners guide:

cp /etc/skel/.xinitrc ~/

so this creates the xinitrc file? and then i go on from there, correct?

Nichollan

Member

From: Stavanger, Norway

Registered: 2010-05-18

Posts: 110

Re: ~/. xinitrc is empty?!?

The cp command is the copy command. It copies the /etc/skel/.xinitrc file and pastes it in your home directory.

EDIT: Also consider using the man command at any unfamiliar commands, for instance try

$ man cp

Last edited by Nichollan (2010-07-13 18:36:07)

karol

Archivist

Registered: 2009-05-06

Posts: 25,440

Re: ~/. xinitrc is empty?!?

Honestly, you can start w/ a blank file and add all the commands you need. There ain't much in /etc/skel/.xinitrc, it's more like a blank canvas for you to point your masterpiece on.