on 1/11/02 11:01 AM, Jeremy C. Reed at reed@reedmedia.net had this to say:

> On Fri, 11 Jan 2002, paulbeard wrote:
> 
>> If I try to configure X with xf86config, I get a config that will hang my
>> machine so hard that removing power is my only option with attendant fsck of
> 
> What config locks up your machine?

The config I create with xf86config. this has worked before.

>> I can't get XF86Setup to work: it keeps complaining about going to a virtual
>> console but Alt-F[1234] don't get me anything. Sometimes this is
> 
> Do you have wscons configured for virtual terminals?

as far as I know yes, since X has worked before.

>> unrecoverable as well.
> 
> XF86Setup locks up your machine?

It goes to a console I've never been able to get to.
>> Does anyone have any idea how to create a basic X config file that will work
>> and allow me to modify it as needed? I'd take 8 bit color right now.
> 
> Try using the default xf86config(1) tool.

been there, done that, lost my luggage and travelers checks.

>> Or is there a way to make XF86Setup work? What am I missing, given that I
>> have had X working on virtual console as recently as this morning?
> 
> Be sure to make a backup of your XF86Config file. (Maybe a backup was made
> automatically for you; if so then use it.)


In a fit of pique I trashed all of these I could find. Invariably some file
I didn't know about was being used.
 
>> I should also mention this is a laptop, so a hardcoded 1024 * 768 display at
>> 24 bpp is fine. Using the ATI Rage Mobility card w/ 8 Mb video RAM.
> 
> What laptop? (Search for a XF86Config for it.)
> 
> And try http://www.google.com/search?q=ATI+Rage+Mobility+XF86Config

I thought I tried that: lots of stuff there, I'll see what they have for
3.3.6.