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5.3 X Window Configuration with Metro-X

X Window Configuration with Metro-X By special arrangement, a license to install a single copy of the Metro-X enhanced X server is included with the Official Red Hat Linux/Intel CD. Please note that, unlike the XFree86 server (also included), Metro-X is commercially licensed software. You should review and accept its license terms before installing it. Metro-X supports many video cards that are not supported by XFree86. The configuration utility can be run in graphical mode (configX) or text mode (configX.curses).

5.3.1 System Requirements

System Requirements 8 megabytes of RAM minimum; 16 megabytes are recommended. The base server package requires 12 megabytes of disk space.

5.3.2 configX.curses

configX.curses

configX.curses is a simple graphical configuration tool for configuring Metro-X. The configX.curses utility does not provide support for configuring multiple screens or choosing the number of buttons on your mouse. If you need these facilities you must use configX. To run configX.curses type the command:

configX.curses
The opening screen has information on Metro Link, Inc. and brief instructions on what you will need to configure Metro-X. Press the Enter key to begin the configuration. The screen will display the current configuration information at the top and the configuration menu at the bottom. Use the arrow keys to move the highlight up and down the menu and the Enter key to select the highlighted item.

5.3.2.1 Graphics Card

Graphics Card

When you select Graphics Card from the configuration menu, a list of supported cards will be displayed. Select your video card as above. After selecting your video card you will be asked to select a video mode from a list of defaults. The resolution used is a matter of personal preference. The smaller the numbers are the larger the items on the display will be. Some combinations of video cards and video modes support virtual screens larger than the physical display. If your combination is one of these, you will be asked to select the virtual screen size.

5.3.2.2 Mouse

Mouse Configuring your mouse with Metro-X requires that you know what type of mouse you have and how it is connected to your computer. When you select a mouse type, the default device will be provided in the configuration window. If you are in doubt, accept the default and make adjustments later if needed.

5.3.2.3 Exiting

Exiting

Selecting ``Save and Exit'' from the menu will save any changes you have made to the Metro-X configuration and exit the configX.curses program.

Selecting ``Quit without Saving'' from the menu will discard any changes you have made to the Metro-X configuration and exit the configX.curses program.

5.3.3 configX

configX Metro-X can also be configured for your system through a graphical utility called ConfigX, which is used to specify the mouse, keyboard, monitor, graphics card, color depth, and screen resolution(s) you are using.

5.3.3.1 Start-up

Start-up
  1. Login as root and type the following command: /usr/bin/X11/configX
  2. The explanation of special keys appears. (This message only appears prior to the initial configuration of Metro-X, when no Xconfig file exists.)
  3. Press [Enter] to continue.

5.3.3.2 Special Keys

Special Keys When Metro-X is first installed, it doesn't yet recognize your mouse. Special keys must be used to move around the screens and make your selections during the initial configuration process.

Key Function
[Tab] Moves forward from field to field.
[Shift]-[Tab] Moves backward from field to field.
[\uparrow] [\downarrow] [\leftarrow] [\rightarrow] Changes the value in the current field.
[Enter] Sets/unsets a toggle button.
[Page Down] Switches to the next configuration page.
[Page Up] Switches to the previous configuration page.
[Esc] Cancels out of the current screen or pop-up.
[Alt-F] Jumps to the File pull-down menu.
[Alt-S] Jumps to the Screen pull-down menu.
[Alt-C] Jumps to the Configuration pull-down menu.

Figure 20:Function of Special Keys

5.3.3.3 Mouse configuration

Mouse configuration If the default mouse is not correct for your system:
  1. Press [\downarrow] to display the list of mice.
  2. Press [\uparrow] or [\downarrow] to scroll to your mouse entry, then press [Enter] to select it.
  3. Press [Tab] to move to the next field.
  4. Press [\downarrow] to display the list of mouse buttons. (The default entry is based on your mouse selection, and is usually the appropriate choice.)
  5. Press [uparrow] or [downarrow] to scroll to your button entry, then press [Enter] to select it.
  6. Press [Tab] to move to the next field.
  7. If you need to change the path for your mouse device, edit it here.
  8. Press [Tab] to move to the next field.

5.3.3.4 Keyboard configuration

Keyboard configuration Metro-X includes international keyboard support, which allows you to select the keyboard appropriate for your language and country.
  1. The initial keyboard setting is Default: Default Console Mapping, which will work with most keyboards.
  2. Press [\downarrow] to display the list of keyboards.
  3. Press [\uparrow] or [\downarrow] to scroll to your keyboard entry, then press [Enter] to select it.
  4. Press [Tab] to move to the next field.

5.3.3.5 Monitor configuration

Monitor configuration The default monitor setting is Generic 640x480 @ 60Hz 13 inch.
  1. Press [\downarrow] to display the list of monitors.
  2. Press [\uparrow] or [\downarrow] to scroll to your monitor entry, then press [Enter] to select it.
  3. Press [Tab] to move to the next field.
  4. If you need to change the screen width (mm), edit it here.
  5. Press [Tab] to move to the next field.
  6. If you need to change the screen height (mm), edit it here.
  7. Press [Tab] to move to the next field.

5.3.3.6 Screen Saver

Screen Saver Some graphics cards and monitors support the Display Power Management System (DPMS), which minimizes the power used by the monitor when user input ceases. If your hardware has this feature, the phases of DPMS can be controlled in this section. The typical DPMS setup has a cascade effect, with the various phases being activated in succession with your choice of delay times between each.

  1. In the X Screen Saver Delay field, press [Enter] to toggle this option on or off.
  2. If toggled on, press [Tab] to move to the Minutes field, then use [\leftarrow] or [\rightarrow] to set the value.
  3. Press [Tab] to move to the next field.
  4. In the Standby Mode Delay field, press [Enter] to toggle this option on or off.
  5. If toggled on, press [Tab] to move to the Minutes field, then use [\leftarrow] or [\rightarrow] to set the value.
  6. Press [Tab] to move to the next field.
  7. In the Suspend Mode Delay field, press [Enter] to toggle this option on or off.
  8. If toggled on, press [Tab] to move to the Minutes field, then use [\leftarrow] or [\rightarrow] to set the value.
  9. Press [Tab] to move to the next field.
  10. In the Monitor Off Delay field, press [Enter] to toggle this option on or off.
  11. If toggled on, press [Tab] to move to the Minutes field, then use [\leftarrow] or [\rightarrow] to set the value.

5.3.3.7 Graphics Card Configuration

Graphics Card Configuration Press [Page Down] to move to the second configuration screen, which controls the graphics card, the number of colors, the virtual resolution, and the physical resolution.

Each graphics card configuration consists of five elements:

Non-interlaced modes give a better screen appearance than refresh rates which are labeled "Interlaced". The highest refresh rate that your monitor supports will give the best image. At higher screen resolutions a higher refresh rate is particularly important to prevent the screen from visibly flickering. The highest refresh rate supported by the selected monitor is automatically displayed. Graphics Card

  1. The default graphics card setting is IBM VGA.
  2. Press [\downarrow] to display the list of graphics cards.
  3. Press [\uparrow] or [\downarrow] to scroll to your graphics card entry, then press [Enter] to select it.
  4. Press [Tab] to move to the next field.

5.3.3.8 Colors

Colors Not all graphics cards can support all color depths (number of colors). Only the options for the color depths supported by your card will be sensitive in this field. The other options will be greyed out.

5.3.3.9 Virtual Resolution

Virtual Resolution The Virtual Resolution setting allows you to have an on-screen work area that is actually larger than your physical screen. Windows can extend beyond the screen's physical boundaries and are viewed by scrolling into the extended areas. Only the options for the virtual resolutions supported by your card will be sensitive in this field. The other options will be greyed out. If you don't want to use this feature, select the Disabled option.

5.3.3.10 Physical Resolution

Physical Resolution Not all graphics cards and monitors can support all physical resolutions. Only the options for the resolutions supported by your hardware will be sensitive in this field. The other options will be greyed out.

5.3.3.11 Multiple-Screen Configuration

Multiple-Screen Configuration Metro-X supports up to four screens which can all be controlled simultaneously with a single keyboard and mouse. This allows you to run many applications without overlapping windows, and is particularly useful for image-processing work. For each screen used, a separate configuration must be created for that screen's monitor and graphics card. See section B.1.4.1 for graphics card requirements.

5.3.3.12 Adding a Screen

Adding a Screen Metro-X defaults to a single-screen setup. The first screen configured is labeled Screen 0. When you add a second screen, all of its configuration default settings will duplicate the current settings of Screen 0. So if your hardware is the same on all screens, you can save time by configuring Screen 0 before adding the other screens. Similarly, as more screens are added, the settings of whichever one is currently active when you add another screen will determine the default settings of the new screen.
  1. Press [Alt-S] to display the Screen pull-down menu.
  2. Type A for Add.
  3. The Monitor and Graphics Card icons for Screen 0 become outlines, and two full-color icons appear for Screen 1.
  4. Refer to the procedures described earlier in this chapter if any changes need to be made to the new screen's configuration.
  5. Use the [Page Down] and [Page Up] keys to move to the configuration pages of each screen.

5.3.3.13 Deleting a Screen

Deleting a Screen When a screen is deleted, all screens with higher screen numbers immediately drop down one slot. For instance: You currently have screens 0, 1, and 2 configured and you delete screen 1. That screen and all of its configuration information disappears. Screen 2 then becomes screen 1, but retains its own configuration. You are left with screens 0 and 1.

  1. Use the [Page Down] or [Page Up] key to activate the set of icons for the screen you want to delete.
  2. Press [Alt-S] to display the Screen pull-down menu.
  3. Type D for Delete.
  4. One set of Monitor and Graphics Card icons disappears. Higher-numbered screens (if any) immediately fill the gap of the deleted screen.

5.3.3.14 Screen Layout

Screen Layout The Screen Layout window lets you specify how the multiple screens are arranged in your workspace so mouse movement from screen to screen will be appropriate.
  1. Press [Alt-S] to display the Screen pull-down menu.
  2. Type L for Layout.
  3. The Screen Layout window appears.
  4. Press [\leftarrow] and [\rightarrow] to view the various layout combinations for your number of screens.
  5. When the layout you want is displayed, press [Enter] to select it.

5.3.3.15 Font Path

Font Path If needed, you can edit your font path from within the Metro-X Configuration Utility. This will be necessary if you are using a font server instead of or in addition to your existing fonts.
  1. Press [Alt-C] to display the Configuration pull-down menu, then press [Enter].
  2. The Font Path window appears.
  3. Edit the file as necessary for your system. Metro-X looks for fonts in the order in which the directories are listed in this file. If you are using a font server, enter this as the first line:
    tcp/<fontserver machine>:7000
    
    If your port number is not the default 7000, change it to the appropriate port number for your system.
  4. Press [Tab] to move to and amongst the bottom buttons, then press [Enter] to select one. If the information is correct, select the OK button. If you want to disregard the changes you've made, select the Cancel button. If you've edited your font path and want to go back to the original settings, select the Load Defaults button.

5.3.3.16 Save and Exit

Save and Exit
  1. Press [Alt-F] to display the File pull-down menu.
  2. Type S for Save and Exit.
  3. Your changes are saved, the Metro-X Configuration Utility closes, and your system is now ready to run Metro-X!

5.3.3.17 Quit Without Saving

Quit Without Saving
  1. Press [Alt-F] to display the File pull-down menu.
  2. Type Q for Quit.
  3. A precautionary dialog box appears: Save current configuration before exiting?
  4. Press [Tab] to move to the No button, then press [Enter] to confirm that you want to exit the Metro-X Configuration Utility without saving your changes.

For more details on features of Metro X and the format of the Xconfig file see Appendix B.


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