Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- other:x_conf [2022/08/09 17:19] – [On a Windows computer with WSL+Linux and an X server installed] jypeter
+++ other:x_conf [2022/08/10 08:58] – [Nothing works!] Increased the level of the sub-sections jypeter
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Installing and configuring an X server ======
+<WRAP center round tip 60%>
+This detailed and easy-to-understand page will help you **set up things correctly on your own**, and help you **understand what you are doing**
+Or you can ask somebody to quickly configure everything for you, and keep on believing that things work by magic...
+</WRAP>
 ===== What is an X server? =====
@@ Line 7: / Line 15: @@
   * An //X server// **is** basically a program running on your **local** computer that understands the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_Window_System_core_protocol|X Windows System protocol]] used by **Linux computers** (**local** computer, or **remote** Linux servers) to generate graphics, and that can //render// (i.e. display) the graphics generated **remotely** on your **local** computer
+  * This page will mention a //''DISPLAY'' variable// several times: the X server needs this in order to know **where to display the graphics**!
 ===== What do we mean exactly with Local and Remote computers? =====
@@ Line 137: / Line 145: @@
   * ''xterm &'': the **recommended test application**. It will open a new terminal on the remote machine
   * ''xeyes &'', ''xclock &'', ''gvim &'', ''gedit &'', ''eog &'', ''evince &'', ... : other //standard// applications, that may be installed (or not)
+The test may fail, due to the [[other:x_conf#nothing_works|usually expected errors]]
 ==== On a Linux computer ====
@@ Line 218: / Line 228: @@
 [Remote] $ xterm &</code>
+==== On a Mac ====
+FIXME
 ===== Troubleshooting =====
+==== Can't start a graphical application by clicking on its desktop shortcut ====
+Check the shortcut and run the command directly in a terminal to check the error message
+There is a good chance that you have forgotten to start the X server!
 ==== Nothing works! ====
 That's unfortunate, but:
-  * Have you turned on your computer?
+  * Have you turned on your computer? :-P
-  * Do you have network access, and an account on a remote server?
+  * Do you have network access, and an account on a remote server? :-?
   * Have you run the [[other:x_conf#testing|Tests]]?
-  * Have you installed and configured the //X server// correctly? Is it really running?
+  * Have you [[other:x_conf|installed and configured the X server]] correctly? Is it really running?
   * Have you configured [[other:putty_conf|PuTTY]] and/or other required applications correctly ?
-  * Is the ''DISPLAY'' variable defined correctly on the local and remote computer?
+  * Is the [[other:x_conf#what_is_an_x_server|DISPLAY variable]] defined correctly on the local and remote computer?
-=== When DISPLAY is not defined correctly ===
+==== Error when DISPLAY is not defined correctly ====
 If the ''DISPLAY'' **variable is not defined (correctly)**, you will get a ''Can't open display: //[NO VALUE DISPLAYED HERE]//'' error
@@ Line 239: / Line 258: @@
 $ echo $DISPLAY
+$ setenv DISPLAY CRAP_DISPLAY
+$ xterm
+xterm: Xt error: Can't open display: CRAP_DISPLAY
 </code>
 Make sure that you are using ''ssh -X'' or ''ssh -Y'', or that [[other:putty_conf#changing_some_useful_settings|PuTTY is configured]] with ''Enable X11 forwarding''
-=== When there is no X server running ===
+==== Error when there is no X server running ====
 If the ''DISPLAY'' variable is defined, but there is **no X server**, you will get a ''Can't open display: localhost://[SOME VALUE]//'' error\\ <code>$ xterm &
-$ connect localhost port 6000: Connection refused
+xterm: Xt error: Can't open display: localhost:23.0</code>
-xterm: Xt error: Can't open display: localhost:12.0</code>
 Time to [[other:x_conf|read this page again]]...