i don`t see the regular x windows cursor, arghhhh

i`d like to ask you a simple -i hope- x windows question. i can`t see the regular cursor, i mean the `x` or the pointer. i see a very annoying white rectangle with 3 little divisions, similar to the one you see with the gpm mouse driver, only `slicker` if you like. that cursor -the gpm one- works fine for cutting and pasting text in the console; but in gnome a cursor like that is very, very difficult to see and use, a simple task like resizing a window becomes an ordeal.
any advice is welcome.

I'm not sure about this but take a look in your XF86Config (or if you have) XF86Config-4 file.

Under the device section there may be a line with the command sw_cursor commented out...
Take out the comment (#) and restart X.

It could be that your type of video card has certain software cursor options that need to be specified.

Worth a try anyways...

...G...


[This message has been edited by johngeeaswell (edited 03-21-2001).]

thanks johngeeaswell, i`ll try that tonight, let you know what happens.. i hope it will work.

didn`t work, actually, the string that you mentioned wsn`t in the file... if you have another idea, what ever that is, let me know... is very annoying to use a gui like that.
regarding the video card software cursor, i`m in the most complete darkness.
any advice is welcomed, and rewarded with a smile.

didn`t work, actually, the string that you mentioned wsn`t in the file... if you have another idea, what ever that is, let me know... is very annoying to use a gui like that.
regarding the video card software cursor, i`m in the most complete darkness.
any advice is welcomed, and rewarded with a smile.

If that string is not in that file, you might try inserting it in the Devices area. -mk

------------------
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is.

Ya ... try inserting it...

I can't remember if you are running RedHat or not... If you are and you have the XF86Config-4 file it would look like this as far as I know:

Section "InputDevice"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Device" "/dev/mouse"
Option "Protocol" "IMPS/2"
Option "sw_cursor"

The XF86Config file would look like:

Section "Pointer"
Protocol "IMPS/2"
Device "/dev/mouse"
sw_cursor


Try it at least.....
If something screws up and at the worst you have no graphics you can just log on as root...
cd /etc/X11
vi XF86Config-4
hit the insert key go to the line and comment it out:
#Option "sw_cursor"

hit esc and do a shift z z

thanks a lot, i hope that works... let you know in the morning...
johngeeaswell >> this particular problem is happening on a red hat [7]box.
it`s not my own machine, is an install i did for a cousin. my box is a 486 w/slackware 4.0.0; i still don`t have x issues on that box... but i`m planning to start soon.
thank you both of you.

i`m afraid it didn`t worked. i tried every combination regarding the use of that configuration string, both in `XF86Config` and in `XF86Config-4`. is really annoying because in this particular install i`ve been able to configure almost everything, the sound card is working, and i`m starting to get a grasp on what `networking` means for linux. is just a pain in the arse to see that stupid white rectangle laughing at you all the time....
anyway, thank you very much to both of you.

Ok... What type of video card is it?

thanks a lot, johngeeaswell, here is the info:

chip: mach 64 lt
monitor: compaq presario fp700

also, here:
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/For...ML/002397.html

i have posted a lot of info regarding that xfree install, including card. if you have any idea, clue or whatever, please let me know. thanks in advance.
ps: do note that in line it says `(--) Mach64: Using hardware cursor`.
other thing, i`ve noticed that the `cursorfont.h` file is duplicated, there is that, and also a file named `#cursorfont.h#` does that mean something?.

Is there a

hw_cursor

Option in the XF86Config files?

Have you tried changing which mouse is configured?...
(ie. logitech, microsoft, etc.)
Try changing it to use a different driver...

So .. It's the ATI Rage Lt Pro card right?..
This card is the oddball of the Mach64's It seems.....

Dunno what to say man... What version of XFree are you using? Have you tried the SVGA server just for kicks?

[This message has been edited by johngeeaswell (edited 03-24-2001).]

thanks for the prompt answer, johngeeaswell. no, there is no `hw_cursor` option/string in the `xfconfig` file. and the x free is version 3.3.6.
i think maybe you are right, the mouse he has is a msft castratum, i mean without a ball, with a laser, perhaps the problem is that... i`ve tried to add `z axis support` but it didn`t work.
i`ll try and let you know.
needless to say, thank you very much.

You could always change the cursor using xsetroot.

xsetroot -cursor_name X_cursor

will give you the standar X cursor. There is a whole list of cursor fonts in /usr/X11/include/X11/cursorfont.h . cat or less the file to see the list.