Dpkg-Reconfigure Xserver-Xorg : In OS

For : Mepis Linux with Fglrx

by : je.saist


Part 1  |  Part 2


The move to a new version of X.org brings some changes to the X.org configuration. A few more screens are added, so this guide walks through them using Konsole with Mepis Linux already opened up.

So why is the dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg command useful? Well, in addition to selecting a specific driver, it can also be used to set new resolutions and different refresh rates. This guide shows setting the 8.40 Fglrx driver found in the Mepis 7 Beta 5 release on a 1280*1024 native LCD panel.

While the configuration looks intimidating, most of this is just hitting the Enter button on the keyboard.


1: We are starting with Konsole already opened up.





2: Type in the command su to switch user.





3: Type in the /root password and hit Enter on the keyboard.





4: Now we should be at the /root entry.





5: type (or copy/paste) in the command : dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Then hit Enter on the keyboard.





6: Now we should be inside the configuration which is asking to auto-detect the graphics card.

Hit Enter on the Keyboard.





7: Since this is a Radeon x1900 AIW, X.org doesn't know what to do. That's fine.

Hit Enter on the Keyboard.





8: X.org will now give a list of drivers. If you don't know your driver, or you are switching graphics cards, vesa is a good choice.





9: But since this is a fglrx supported card I am going to use the arrow keys to move up the list.

And Hit Enter on the keyboard with fglrx selected in red.





10: X.org will now allow naming the card. You can do this if you want.

I'm going to Hit Enter on the keyboard.




11: Another Enter to the keyboard.





12: X.org is fairly intelligent about locating the Bus ID. Don't worry about this too much. I've tried this on the second slot of CrossFire and SLI boards and X.org got them right.

Hit Enter on the keyboard to continue.




13: As the description notes, this section really only applies to Intel chips. If you have an Nvidia or AMD/ATi graphics card from the past 15 years you can generally laugh and continue on.

Hit Enter on the keyboard to continue.





14: In the original X.org guide for Mepis 6.0 I used the kernel framebuffer device interface. Since then? Well, I can't tell a difference. I just move on now.

Hit Enter on the Keyboard to move on.





15: Mepis is pretty good about setting the correct keyboard identity on initial install. While you can ask X.org to find your keyboard, the screens you see won't change...

so Hit Enter on the keyboard to check the keyboard information.





16: Yes, my keyboard layout is US.

Hit Enter on the keyboard to continue.





17: Another enter to the keyboard.





18: On this command we can see that the red line is on the right hand side.

We'll need to hit the Tab Button on the keyboard.





19: Now Ok should be highlighted in red.

Hit the Enter key to continue.





20: Right now this configuration says pc101 which means that if you have a number pad on the right of your keyboard, that number pad won't get picked up.





21: Generally speaking, unless you have a specific keyboard as outlined in steps 18 and 19, you want the keyboard model to be set to pc104.

With pc104 entered, hit the tab button on the keyboard.





22: Ok should be highlighted in red, so hit enter on the keyboard to continue.





Go to Part 2 to finish the configuration