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Usage FAQ
  1. Does GNU-Darwin come with the X Windows System?
  2. What is GNU-Darwin's default window manager?
  3. How do I start XDarwin/WindowMaker?
  4. How do I launch GNOME?
  5. Why doesn't "startx -quartz" work for me?
  6. How do I set up networking in GNU-Darwin?
  7. Why does the installer CD hang on my system with SCSI drives?
  8. Is it a good idea to run the one_stop script more than once?
  9. Why do I get the error "no such file or directory: /usr/bin/cpp" when running startx?
  10. If GNU-Darwin installs something that overlaps with Fink, will that break the system?
  11. Does pkg_add know where to put everything, or do I need to be in/specify the directory?
  12. What are the + files seen in packages?
  13. How come Everybuddy complains about bind, and then quits?

1. Does GNU-Darwin come with the X Windows System?

Yes, GNU-Darwin comes with the latest stable release of XFree86, and has some previous versions.

2. What is GNU-Darwin's default window manager?

The default window manager of XFree86 is twm but GNU-Darwin comes with WindowMaker, Enlightenment, Xfce and GNOME, among others.

3. How do I start XDarwin/WindowMaker?

If you have also installed GNU-Darwin, then open a terminal window and type the following commands:

setenv PATH /usr/X11R6/bin:$PATH
rehash
wmaker.inst
startx

Some Mac OSX users prefer Enlightement (E!).  For E!, use enlightenment.install instead of wmaker.inst.

For OSX/startx compatibility issues, consult XonX.

4. How do I launch GNOME?

There is currently a bug in GNU-Darwin gnome-session, which results in improperly drawn icons. The workaround is to launch from within the window manager with the following command: panel --no-xshm

5. Why doesn't "startx -quartz" work for me?

A few users are having trouble with our Xserver package. Here are some things to try.

pkg_add -f http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/GNU-darwin/XFree86-4.1.0_4.tg
/usr/X11R6/bin/wmaker.inst
startx

A more robust procedure would be to install the earlier version first,like this.

pkg_add -f http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/GNU-darwin/XFree86-4.0.3.tgz
pkg_add -f http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/GNU-darwin/XFree86-4.1.0_4.tgz
/usr/X11R6/bin/wmaker.inst
startx

If you still get errors, you a one of a handful of people, who will have to install a new Xserver according to the latest instructions at XonX.

The current theory about this problem is that the /etc/X11 spaghetti links are incompatable between various Xdarwin revisions and GNU-Darwin Xserver packages. This problem is aggravated if you keep your X11R6 directory on a different partition than Unix root, because XFree86 likes to use hard links, which do not cross devices with Darwin.

6. How do I set up networking in GNU-Darwin?

If you installed GNU-Darwin from the CD, you should have been prompted to set up your networking on the first boot up. If for some reason you would like to do that again, simply log in as root, and type "~/gd-setup -n". If you installed from Apple's CD, then Darwinfo has an excellent how to on network configuration.

7. Why does the installer CD hang on my system with SCSI drives?

No all SCSI cards are compatible with Darwin. Check with your device manufacturer to see if they are Mac OS X compatable.

8. Is it a good idea to run the one_stop script more than once?

Right now the answer is no. We are working on fixing this in the future so the script can be run more than once.

9. Why do I get the error "no such file or directory: /usr/bin/cpp" when running startx?

To fix this problem, install the Developer's tools, or edit /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/xinit/xinitrc to call xrdb with the -nocpp option.

10. If GNU-Darwin installs something that overlaps with Fink, will that break the system?

No. You can have duplicate libraries and binaries. In general, they won't affect each other. There are always exceptions but I haven't run into any yet.

11. Does pkg_add know where to put everything, or do I need to be in/specify the directory?

No, pkg_add knows where to install stuff. You do not have to add any parameters to it.

12. What are the + files seen in packages?

F+files are part of the pkg_add mechanism and normally should be deleted during the installation process. If, after installing, they are still there, you can safetly remove them.

13. How come Everybuddy complains about bind, and then quits?

This is a known bug with no explanation. You can solve the problem by typing "mkdir .everybuddy" in your home directory.