Replacing gdm with slim (Arch)

[b1o]

You might want to uninstall GDM and use SLIM (Simple Login Manager) instead. Easier to configure than GDM and it's more lightweight.

Instructions are on the arch Wiki:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/SLiM

[dedanna1029]

Yeah, I've done that, just haven't figured out how to switch from gdm to it.

[viking60]

b1o will write a tip I am sure.

[b1o]

Well you install slim from pacman. then you remove gdm from rc.conf daemon list and replace it with slim.

Example Daemon list in rc.conf:

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DAEMONS=(syslog-ng @network @netfs @crond @acpid @hal @smbnetfs @samba @networkmanager slim)

This will start slim on startup. Now to get gnome to start when you login you need to edit the .xinitrc in the home folders of the users you might have.

Here is my .xinitrc:

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#!/bin/sh
#
# ~/.xinitrc
#
# Executed by startx (run your window manage
exec ck-launch-session gnome-session
# exec startkde
# exec startxfce4
# ...or the Window Manager of your choice

This should be enough to get slim up and running.

[viking60]

Well that is not going to help her. Nobody in their right mind starts gdm as a daemon in rc.conf, it is started in /etc/inittab so I guess she must comment out:

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x:5:respawn:/usr/sbin/gdm -nodaemon

in inittab.
And add/uncomment this line:

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x:5:respawn:/usr/bin/slim >& /dev/null

[b1o]

Why is it better to start it from inittab?
Does it start faster or is it just the benefit of being started up again when the X server crashes?

[dedanna1029]

Ah, I got it from what you've posted b1o - thanks so much. Have no clue why I didn't think of it, but then the brain's been on other things lately.

Thanks again.

[viking60]

Why is it better to start it from inittab?
Does it start faster or is it just the benefit of being started up again when the X server crashes?

Yes it starts faster and It respawns in the event of a crash. And it is more stable IMO.

[b1o]

No problem. if you want to change the themes you should packman the slim-themes or the archlinux-themes-slim packages. these contain some good arch linux themes, and if you want to change the background you can just edit the background image in the theme folder. The themes should be located in /usr/share/slim/themes, and you edit which one to use in the /etc/slim.conf file

[viking60]

Hm that thing is refusing to log me in

[b1o]

That thing? are you sure you edited the .xinitrc in your home folder?

[viking60]

I am sure I did not! I used the inittab method. I get the nice looking login screen but it just refuses to accept the data.