How do I set the "Display" varible ,in other words enable it?? Exact instructions please this is when I am trying to start applixware i think or Startx cant remember at the moment--sorry if this is a basic stupid querie

Applixware is an old office package!!! I don't think anybody is using it anymore... I used to have it running with my RedHat Linux 4.2. I think you probably meant startx to start a window manager like KDE or GNOME (or any other lightweight GUI). If you haven't done so, you need to configure your monitor, video card, keyboard, mouse, etc. before you can run X. So, log in as root and run "xf86config" to configure your system! taurus

Dear taurus Thanks for that thats absolutly the topps!!I tried the xf86 config command and can now see how this works however I still have probs .I'm running and old IBM 350 Pent 100 and trying to get a simulated WIN system under LINUX S.U.S.E 5.3 perhaps you think this is crazy but the options of this operating system although 99 still to me seem worth it!! I have an old monochrome monitor and this is what i have to configure using the basic options I still dont know its parameters but I may just get there(what are the relevant numbers for a monochrome??) The probs i have are--the file xf86 doesnt seem to be a binary file--please check it or install a new X-Server binary-----------Whaen i try amongst other commands---KWM----cannot connect to se to open display----------and---$WINDOWSMANAGER-------cannot connect to X server. Can you help me please I am not on line and this Is a stand alone machine.

To simulate windoze under linux you will need to use something like bochs, vmware or win4lin. Check this link for getting monochrome to work: http://www.wd.utu.fi/~markvall/mv-systems/hercules-X.html

Have a decent colour HP monitor now ,re-configured the system using XF86config but still have the basic cannot connect to server --i am trying to start one of the windows clones

Are you able to get X up and running at all with the "startx" command? Which one of the "clones" are you trying to run and with what command? You will need to start it from a terminal window under X....

NO It keeps failing;iM trying a variouse amount of commands most dont seem to be recognised butThe ones that do come back with--STATRX--The file XF86 does not seem to be a binary file,please check it or install a new X-server binary////////KWM--Cannot connect to server////////Twm--unable to open display///////$WINDOWSMANAGER--cannot connect to server!!!