XFree86 Tips

Font Size

Identify which display manager your system is using

For xdm edit the following file:

  • /etc/X11/xdm/Xservers

For kdm edit the following file:

  • /etc/kde3/kdm/Xservers

Find a line like the following

:0 local /usr/X11R6/bin/X -deferglyphs 16 -dpi 90

or

:0 local@tty1 /usr/X11R6/bin/X -nolisten tcp -dpi 90

and add or amend the -dpi setting. A smaller value will give you smaller fonts. A large value will give you larger fonts. Experiment with different values. Re-start the X server afterwards.

E.g. On Debian '/etc/init.d/xdm restart'

Note: /etc/X11/xinit/xserverrc has similar settings. I think these are used when X is started with startx.

On Debian see the FAQ under /usr/share/doc/xfree86-common.

Use xdpyinfo to see actual dpi settings chosen under xfree86.

Trouble-shooting

Monitor (DPMS Energy Saver)

Monitor Won't Suspend

Try the following command in an X terminal;

  • xset dpms force standby

If that doesn't put your monitor into standby mode, you may have the wrong driver set in /etc/X11/XFConfig-4.

You can also try the command with 'suspend' or 'off' instead of standby.

See also WindowManager, DisplayManager

-- Frank Dean - 26 Aug 2004
-- Frank Dean - 26 Feb 2006