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(Added dual-head section and some small edits (we shouldn't use external links to this wiki, but internal ones instead). Please, update Fedora 9 Release Notes.)
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=== Faster X Start-up and Shutdown ===
=== Faster X Start-up and Shutdown ===


Fedora 9 features a number of changes designed to make X faster in starting and shutting down and to make other improvements.  Full details of the project can be found through this feature page:
Fedora 9 features a number of changes designed to make X faster in starting and shutting down and to make other improvements.  Full details of the project can be found through [[Features/OneSecondX|its feature page]].
 
http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Features/OneSecondX


=== X Configuration Changes ===
=== X Configuration Changes ===


The X.Org {{Template:DocsDict/XorgVer}}
The X.Org {{Template:DocsDict/XorgVer}}
X server has been modified to automatically detect and configure most hardware, eliminating the need to modify the <code>/etc/X11/xorg.conf</code> configuration file. The only hardware configured by default in the <code>xorg.conf</code> configuration file written by [Anaconda] is:
X server has been modified to automatically detect and configure most hardware, eliminating the need to modify the <code>/etc/X11/xorg.conf</code> configuration file. The only hardware configured by default in the <code>xorg.conf</code> configuration file written by [[Anaconda]] is:
    
    
* the graphics driver, and
* the graphics driver, and
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In Fedora 9, the XKB settings are read from <code>/etc/sysconfig/keyboard</code>, which gives users the correct layout. The <code>KEYTABLE</code> option, configured in <code>/etc/sysconfig/keyboard</code>, also sets the layout for X. The <code>XKB_VARIANT</code> and <code>XKB_OPTIONS</code> variables can be configured to customize XKB.
In Fedora 9, the XKB settings are read from <code>/etc/sysconfig/keyboard</code>, which gives users the correct layout. The <code>KEYTABLE</code> option, configured in <code>/etc/sysconfig/keyboard</code>, also sets the layout for X. The <code>XKB_VARIANT</code> and <code>XKB_OPTIONS</code> variables can be configured to customize XKB.
=== Dual-head installations ===
In Fedora 9 with the introduction of [[Features/XserverOnePointFive|the new Xorg release]] and especially [[Features/RandrSupport|support for Randr]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xinerama Xinerama] is slowly getting to be depreceated, especially now on the single graphic board configurations with multiple-outputs. More complicated settings (e.g., for multiple graphic cards in one computer) are still done with Xinerama only.
It is possible to configure multi-monitor spanning desktop without Xinerama using <code>Option "monitor-&lt;identificator&gt;"</code> (where identificator can be obtained with <code>xrandr -q</code>), adding additional <code>"Monitor"</code> section for each monitor, and adding <code>Virtual</code> option to the <code>"Screen"</code> section. Details how to do it with well-written examples is available in [http://udrepper.livejournal.com/20187.html this blogpost of Ulrich Drepper].


=== Third-party Video Drivers ===
=== Third-party Video Drivers ===


Refer to the [http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Xorg/3rdPartyVideoDrivers Xorg third-party drivers] page for detailed guidelines on using third-party video drivers.
Refer to the [[Xorg/3rdPartyVideoDrivers|Xorg third-party drivers]] page for detailed guidelines on using third-party video drivers.

Revision as of 21:43, 4 June 2008

X Window System (Graphics)

This section contains information related to the X Window System implementation, X.Org, provided with Fedora.

Faster X Start-up and Shutdown

Fedora 9 features a number of changes designed to make X faster in starting and shutting down and to make other improvements. Full details of the project can be found through its feature page.

X Configuration Changes

The X.Org 1.5.1 X server has been modified to automatically detect and configure most hardware, eliminating the need to modify the /etc/X11/xorg.conf configuration file. The only hardware configured by default in the xorg.conf configuration file written by Anaconda is:

  • the graphics driver, and
  • the keyboard map

All other hardware, such as monitors (both LCD and CRT), USB mice, and touchpads, should be detected and configured automatically.

The X server queries the attached monitor for supported resolution ranges, and attempts to pick the highest resolution available with the correct aspect ratio for the display. Set the preferred resolution in System > Preferences > Screen Resolution, and the default resolution for the system in System > Administration > Display.

If the /etc/X11/xorg.conf configuration file is not present, X automatically detects the appropriate driver, and assumes a 105-key US keyboard layout.

In certain situations, the evdev driver was used, even when the kbd driver was specified in /etc/X11/xorg.conf. Removing the evdev driver caused errors and warnings such as the following:

(WW) Warning, couldn't open module evdev
(II) UnloadModule: "evdev"
(EE) Failed to load module "evdev" (module does not exist, 0)
(EE) No input driver matching <code>evdev'
[config/hal]  NewInputDeviceRequest failed
(II) LoadModule: "evdev"

In Fedora 9, the XKB settings are read from /etc/sysconfig/keyboard, which gives users the correct layout. The KEYTABLE option, configured in /etc/sysconfig/keyboard, also sets the layout for X. The XKB_VARIANT and XKB_OPTIONS variables can be configured to customize XKB.

Dual-head installations

In Fedora 9 with the introduction of the new Xorg release and especially support for Randr Xinerama is slowly getting to be depreceated, especially now on the single graphic board configurations with multiple-outputs. More complicated settings (e.g., for multiple graphic cards in one computer) are still done with Xinerama only.

It is possible to configure multi-monitor spanning desktop without Xinerama using Option "monitor-<identificator>" (where identificator can be obtained with xrandr -q), adding additional "Monitor" section for each monitor, and adding Virtual option to the "Screen" section. Details how to do it with well-written examples is available in this blogpost of Ulrich Drepper.

Third-party Video Drivers

Refer to the Xorg third-party drivers page for detailed guidelines on using third-party video drivers.