John McCullough wrote:
> 
> i found xwindows on a in a book from the library.
> i copied it to /usr/X11R6
> when i try to run xdm it says access denied
>

It is not necessary to run "xdm" unless you want a graphical
login screen on your computer.  If you are happy with logging
in to the text terminal, then issuing a command to start the
X server (the GUI) you do not need to use "xdm."

Try the following (assuming you are logged in as "root"):

   ldconfig -m /usr/X11R6/lib
   setenv PATH ${PATH}:/usr/X11R6/bin
   rehash
   xf86config
   startx

>
> i think it might be because of a read only setting on
> the directories and files.
> is there any way to change the attributes of files and
> folders (like attrib in dos)?
> 

It sounds to me like you should look in
your library for a book on UNIX in the section
where you found the X window book.  There will most
likely be a number of UNIX books in the vicinity
of an X window book.  Successfully starting the X
server will not be sufficient for you to begin
productively using your NetBSD system without
knowing how to use UNIX in general.  Basically what
you will get is the ability to use multiple graphical
terminal boxes (called "xterm") each of which is
pretty much equivalent to the text terminal you use
before you start the X server.  There are lots of
other programs which use the X server to present GUI's
and interact with the user, but the default setup
the first time you start the X server will most
likely be the appearance of a few "xterms" in which
you can type UNIX commands.

Changing attributes of files and folders
is a very fundamental operation.  First of
all, your login (a.k.a. username a.k.a user
id) must have ownership of the file you want
to change, or at least "write" permission
for the file you want to change.

The command "chown" can change ownership
of a file.

The command "chmod" will change attributes
such as who can read, execute, or change a
file, as well as who can create and delete
files in a directory.

Typing "man chown" or "man chmod" at the UNIX
command prompt should present you with directions
for using either of these commands.  The directions
may not make a lot of sense to you if you are
not familiar with the UNIX file system.  A good
book on how to use UNIX would help a lot with that.

-Alex (:-)
 alex@santa.asf.alaska.edu