X11 and GUI FAQ

© September 2009 Anthony Lawrence

How can I make X start on a different tty?

We're talking about the default, automatic X session - if you just want to start a session where you are, use "startx  :1" (assuming :0 is running already and :1 is not).

X implementation varies a lot from system to system. I really recommend X Power Tools.

Linux KDM/XDM

For old KDM and XDM, you edit the Xservers file. Your line might want to look something like:

:0 local /usr/bin/X :0 vt5
 

(tty5 of course would need to be unused)

More modern KDM uses "kdmrc" and a "ServerVTs=-7" line. The "-7" says use tty7 but only if it is free (-). Without a ServerVTs line, KDM defaults to using the first available vt.

Linux GDM

In /etc/gdm/gdm.conf is "FirstVT=7". Like KDM, without that it will just grab the first available vt.

Sco

Edit /usr/lib/X11/scologin/Xservers. You'll see the line:

 :0 local /usr/bin/X11/X :0 -crt /dev/tty02
 

Change tty02 to whatever you wish.

Got something to add? Send me email.

---

Have you tried Searching this site?

This is a Unix/Linux resource website. It contains technical articles about Unix, Linux and general computing related subjects, opinion, news, help files, how-to's, tutorials and more.

Contact us