X windows problems commonly arise from incorrect configuration files and initialization scripts. Naturally, troubleshooting is the most challenging aspect of system administration.
The examples in this lesson serve to illustrate the principles of identifying possible sources of the problem and systematically narrowing down this list.
The table below illustrates some common problems and possible solutions to help you troubleshoot your X problems.
The term desktop refers to the presentation of windows, menus, panels, icons, and other graphical elements on your computer screen. Originally, computer systems such as Linux operated purely in text mode, which means no mouse, no colors, just commands typed on the screen.
Desktops provide a more intuitive way of using your computer.
As with most things in Linux, the desktop is built from a set of interchangeable building blocks. The building blocks of your desktop, to use a car analogy, are:
- The X Window System (which is like the frame of the car)
- The GNOME, KDE, or Xfce desktop environment (which is like a blueprint of how the working parts fit together)
- The Metacity window manager (which provides the steering wheel, seat upholstery, and fuzzy dice on the mirror)
- The Fedora desktop theme (the paint job and the pin stripe)
The next lesson concludes this module.
