Hi there, since im starting X from command is there any option after startx that i can specify which desktop to start kde or gnome , or which file do I have to edit to switch between the two . And how can I see which desktops do i have available to start Thanx Alex

you must make a .xinitrc file in your home directory. You should make one that looks like this: ----------------~/.xinitrc------------------- #!/bin/sh userresources=$HOME/.Xresources usermodmap=$HOME/.Xmodmap sysresources=/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/xinit/.Xresources sysmodmap=/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/xinit/.Xmodmap # merge in defaults and keymaps if [ -f $sysresources ]; then xrdb -merge $sysresources fi if [ -f $sysmodmap ]; then xmodmap $sysmodmap fi if [ -f $userresources ]; then xrdb -merge $userresources fi if [ -f $usermodmap ]; then xmodmap $usermodmap fi # Start the window manager: exec gnome-session #startkde #exec fvwm95 #exec twm --no keys-------------- the "#"'s are comments, this is set to gnome (exec gnome-session) by default, to change just comment "exec gnome session" and uncomment "startkde" :) then when you type startx it'll start the windows manager you selected (btw: fvwm95 and twm are window managers i use often) If you want to get into more depth the startx file is in /usr/X11R6/bin and the xinit directory is in /etc/X11/xinit (this has default xinitrc file and some! hope this sorts stuff out for you

Thanx Tom, this is very helpful. One more question ... from comand when i enter startx KDE starts BUT when i type startkde or gnome-session either wont start with a message something about display not set or display not found... Any idea what does it mean?? I'm writing this from other comp but i'll post the output if interested Thanx Alex

probably xdm (the x display manager) is not configured. the reason for that is that your linux distribution does not want to set the rootSUID, this results in more security because Xfree86 does not have exclusive hardware access normally. with xdm x is capable of accessing iti hope this is enough info, i only heard it from a friend who logged into my linuxbox and fixed this.. :-/