write access| kdm and gdm

**cometfly** · 09-24-2005

1. I need to change the /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 file but for some reason when I attempt to save the changes made to the file, I get a permission denied. When I go to change permissions, it says only the system administrator can...(I have tried with the root user/super user, but might have done that wrong too; a message saying I dont have access to change permissions comes up when I try to change file permission...)

a. I need an idiot-proof way of saving my changes to that file, whether its in kde or gnome I don't really care lol.

2. I would like to know how to switch the default settings to gdm from kdm and vice versa.

I know someone out there has the answer. It's time consuming to answer these questions over and over, but it would be great if you could help a fellow linux-user. Any comments would help alot right now.

**TruthSeeker** · 09-24-2005

I don't know about gdm vs. kdm... gdm (which Debian uses by default) can load either gnome or kde (or something else) by default... just look around in its menus.

Only root is allowed to change system files such as XF86Config-4 because your system can be messed up if you do something wrong. You don't want an ordinary user to be able to do this (intentionally or by accident). So don't try to change the permissions.

If you need to edit the file, open a command line window. Type "su" and press enter, then enter your root password. Type "cd /etc/X11" to get to the directory. If you know how to use a command-line editor, use that, for instance "nano XF86Config-4". If you prefer a graphical editor, run that, for instance "gedit XF86Config-4" for gnome or "kedit XF86Config-4" in KDE. Since you don't seem very confident, I'd recommend making a backup copy of the file before you change it. Gedit does this automatically, I'm not sure about other programs. On the command line you can do this by "cp XF86Config-4 XF86Config-4~". So if you mess something up and X won't start, you can revert to the previous file from the command line.

**vamshi_krishna** · 09-25-2005

you might be knowing how to go to root ...as told above ..type

Code:

su

and give root password

Code:

password&#58;

then ..
you can change gdm and kdm in

Code:

/etc/X11/default-display-manager

and for permissions try

Code:

chmod 744 /etc/X11/XF86Config-4

as a root

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