In Ubuntu 18.04, the xorg.conf file is not created by default. However, it can be manually created and configured to customize your display settings. This article will guide you through the process of locating or generating the xorg.conf file.
The xorg.conf file is not created by default in Ubuntu 18.04. However, you can find or generate it manually using specific commands. The file, if present, is typically located in directories such as /etc/X11/xorg.conf or /usr/etc/X11/xorg.conf. It can also be generated using commands like sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg or sudo nvidia-xconfig. If these methods don’t work, you can try manually creating the file and placing it in directories like /usr/share/X11 or /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d.
Understanding xorg.conf
The xorg.conf file is a configuration file for the X.Org Server. It allows you to manually set your display parameters, such as your monitor’s resolution or the display driver to be used. However, in most modern systems, including Ubuntu 18.04, Xorg can automatically detect and configure these settings, making the xorg.conf file unnecessary in many cases. Nonetheless, for complex configurations or specific requirements, manually configuring the xorg.conf file can be helpful.
Default Locations for xorg.conf
The xorg.conf file, if present, can typically be found in one of the following directories:
/etc/X11/xorg.conf/etc/xorg.conf/usr/etc/X11/xorg.conf.<hostname>/usr/etc/X11/xorg.conf/usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf.<hostname>/usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf
Using the ‘man’ Command
You can use the ‘man’ command to view the xorg.conf man page, which provides detailed information about the xorg.conf file and its possible locations. To do this, open a terminal and enter the following command:
man xorg.confGenerating the xorg.conf File
If the xorg.conf file is not present, you can generate it using specific commands. Here’s how:
- For general Xorg parameters, use the following command:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorgThe dpkg-reconfigure command reconfigures packages after they have already been installed. The -phigh option specifies the priority of the questions asked during reconfiguration. In this case, only critical questions will be asked.
- For Nvidia graphics cards, use the following command:
sudo nvidia-xconfigThe nvidia-xconfig command is a tool for manipulating X configuration files, specifically for systems using Nvidia graphics cards.
- For ATI graphics cards (may have issues), use the following command:
sudo aticonfig --initialThe aticonfig command is used to configure ATI graphics cards. The --initial option is used to generate a new xorg.conf file.
After running these commands, the xorg.conf file will be generated, most likely in the /etc/X11/xorg.conf directory.
Alternative Locations
If the above methods don’t work, you can try manually creating the xorg.conf file and placing it in the following directories:
/usr/share/X11/usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d
Caution
Remember to edit the xorg.conf file carefully, as incorrect configurations can lead to issues such as a black screen on reboot. If you encounter any problems, you can remove the xorg.conf file and reboot to revert to the default settings.
Conclusion
While the xorg.conf file may not be necessary for all setups in Ubuntu 18.04, it can be useful for complex configurations or specific requirements. By understanding where to find or how to generate this file, you can better manage your display settings. Always remember to double-check your configurations and make backups before making any changes to prevent potential issues.
The xorg.conf file is not necessary for most setups in Ubuntu 18.04. The Xorg server can automatically detect and configure display settings in most cases. However, for complex configurations or specific requirements, manually configuring the xorg.conf file can be helpful.
The xorg.conf file, if present, can typically be found in one of the following directories: /etc/X11/xorg.conf, /etc/xorg.conf, /usr/etc/X11/xorg.conf.<hostname>, /usr/etc/X11/xorg.conf, /usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf.<hostname>, or /usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf. If it is not present, you can try manually creating it in /usr/share/X11 or /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d.
If the xorg.conf file is not present, you can generate it using specific commands. For general Xorg parameters, you can use the command sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg. For Nvidia graphics cards, you can use sudo nvidia-xconfig. For ATI graphics cards (may have issues), you can use sudo aticonfig --initial. After running these commands, the xorg.conf file will be generated, most likely in the /etc/X11/xorg.conf directory.
If you encounter issues after editing the xorg.conf file, such as a black screen on reboot, you can remove the xorg.conf file and reboot to revert to the default settings. It’s always a good idea to double-check your configurations and make backups before making any changes to prevent potential issues.
