Configuring the X Window System

Red Hat Documentation: Red Hat 6.0 Installation Guide

Configuring the X Window System
6.10 Configuring the X Window System

If you decided to install the X Window System packages, you now will have the opportunity to configure X server for your system. If you did not choose to install the X Window System packages, you may skip ahead to Section 6.11.

6.10.1 Configuring an XFree86 Server

If you wish to use XFree86, the installation program launches the Xconfigurator utility.
Xconfigurator first probes your system in an attempt to determine what type of video card you have. Failing that, Xconfigurator will present a list of video cards. Select your video card from the list and press [Enter]. If your video card does not appear on the list, XFree86 may not support it. However, if you have technical knowledge about your card, you may choose Unlisted Card and attempt to configure it by matching your card's video chipset with one of the available X servers.
Once you have selected your video card, the installation program installs the appropriate XFree86 server, and Xconfigurator presents a list of monitors. If your monitor appears on the list, select it and press [Enter]. Otherwise, select Custom. If you do select Custom, Xconfigurator prompts you to select the horizontal sync range and vertical sync range of your monitor (these values are generally available in the documentation which accompanies your monitor, or from your monitor's vendor or manufacturer).
Caution: It is not recommended to select a monitor ``similar'' to your monitor unless you are certain that the monitor you are selecting does not exceed the capabilities of your monitor. If you do so, it is possible you may overclock your monitor and damage or destroy it.
Next, Xconfigurator prompts you for the amount of video memory installed on your video card. If you are not sure, please consult the documentation accompanying your video card. It will not damage your video card by choosing more memory than is available, but the XFree86 server may not start correctly if you do.
If the video card you selected might have a video clockchip, Xconfigurator presents a list of clockchips. The recommended choice is No Clockchip Setting, since XFree86 can automatically detect the proper clockchip in most cases.
Next, Xconfigurator prompts you to select the video modes you wish to use; select one or more modes by pressing [Space]. Xconfigurator then writes a configuration file containing all of your choices to /etc/X11/XF86Config.
Finally, you will see a screen which gives you the option of running the X Windows System when you reboot. If you choose to have X run, GNOME will be the default desktop manager you see.