---
name: "dexconf"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "xserver-xorg"
version: "1:7.5+8+squeeze1"
release: "Debian 6.0 (Squeeze)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/dexconf"
---

# dexconf(1)

generate Xorg X server configuration file from debconf data

## NAME

dexconf - generate Xorg X server configuration file from debconf data

## SYNOPSIS

**dexconf** \[ *options* \]

## DESCRIPTION

**dexconf** retrieves values from [**debconf**(7)](/debconf/7.md)'s database and uses them to build an *xorg.conf* file.

The information that **dexconf** uses is typically entered via a debconf frontend (or possibly in part by hardware autodetection tools). Note that **dexconf** itself does *not* set any values in the debconf database; it only retrieves them. If configuration parameters of the debconf database need to be changed, [**dpkg-reconfigure**(8)](/dpkg-reconfigure/8.md) should be used to do so.

More experienced users should feel free to use **dexconf**-generated configuration files as a starting point for their customizations, since individual preferences vary greatly.

## OPTIONS

- **-h, --help**

  Display a usage message and exit.

- **-o** *file***, --output=***file*

  By default, **dexconf** writes to */etc/X11/xorg.conf* This option instructs **dexconf** to write to *file* instead. Note that **dexconf** unconditionally overwrites its destination file if it has sufficient access rights to do so.

## ENVIRONMENT

- **COLUMNS**

  This variable is used to format diagnostic messages so that they fit the width of the terminal. If not set, a terminal width of 80 columns is assumed.

- **TMPDIR**

  **dexconf** creates a subdirectory of the directory name stored in this variable, and uses that subdirectory as a scratch area. If not set, */tmp* is used as the parent of the scratch directory.

## OUTPUT FILES

- */etc/X11/xorg.conf*

  is the configuration file for the Xorg X server.

## DIAGNOSTICS

**dexconf** produces diagnostic messages upon encountering various error conditions. These messages are prefixed with the name of the command and a colon; for example:

**dexconf:** *message*

A list of diagnostic messages currently issued by **dexconf** follows.

- **This option, and XFree86 3.x output, are no longer supported.**

  **dexconf** no longer supports the **-f**, **--format** option. See the “HISTORY” section below.

- **cannot create temporary work directory;** *dirname* **does not exist or is not a directory**

  **dexconf** was unable to create a scratch directory to work in because the parent directory (*dirname*) was not does not exist or is not a directory. Create *dirname* and set its permissions properly, or set the **TMPDIR** environment variable to the name of an existing directory.

- **cannot create temporary work directory in** *dirname***; directory not writable**

  **dexconf** had insufficient permissions to create a directory in *dirname*. Change the permissions on *dirname* or set the **TMPDIR** environment variable to the of a writeable directory.

- **cannot generate configuration file;** *question* **not set**

  An answer to the indicated *question* was expected in the debconf database, but none was found. **dexconf** cannot write a valid configuration file without this information. This problem can be rectified by reconfiguring the X server package with the [**dpkg-reconfigure**(8)](/dpkg-reconfigure/8.md) command.

- **creation of temporary work directory** *dirname* **failed**

  **dexconf** was unable to create a scratch directory (*dirname*) to work in. This diagnostic is only issued after **dexconf** has checked to ensure that the parent directory of *dirname* is writable, and after the temporary directory to be used has been removed (if necessary). This diagnostic message could indicate that something on the system is attempting to use a temporary-file race condition to compromise the system's integrity.

- **error while getting options**

  **dexconf** received an error from [**getopt**(1)](/getopt/1.md) while attempting to interpret the command-line arguments. Use only the documented options.

- **received signal; aborting**

  **dexconf** was sent a fatal signal; see the section on asynchronous events below.

- **this program does not know how to configure the** *package* **X server**

  **dexconf** only knows how to write configuration files for XFree86 version 4.*x* X servers. The value of the **shared/default-x-server** debconf template was set to a package name that **dexconf** did not recognize. A different tool will have to be used to configure the selected X server, or [**dpkg-reconfigure**(8)](/dpkg-reconfigure/8.md) will have to be used to change the default X server.

- **unable to write to** *configfile*

  **dexconf** was unable to write to *configfile* because it lacked permissions to do so. Run **dexconf** as a user with permissions to write to *configfile,* or specify an alternate file to write with the **-o** or **--output** options.

- **unrecognized option** *option*

  An unrecognized option was specified. Use only the documented options.

## ASYNCHRONOUS EVENTS

**dexconf** traps the HUP, INT, QUIT, and TERM signals. **dexconf** removes its scratch directory and exits when it receives any of these signals.

## EXIT STATUS

- 0

  A configuration file was successfully written.

- 1

  An error occurred, or **dexconf** was interrupted. See the section on diagnostics above.

## BUGS

See the Debian Bug Tracking System ⟨URL: http://bugs.debian.org/xserver-common ⟩. If you wish to report a bug in **dexconf**, please see */usr/share/doc/debian/bug-reporting.txt* or the [**reportbug**(1)](/reportbug/1.md) command.

## AUTHOR

**dexconf** was written by Branden Robinson with sponsorship from Progeny Linux Systems.

## SEE ALSO

**xorg.conf**(5x), [**dpkg-reconfigure**(8)](/dpkg-reconfigure/8.md), [**debconf**(7)](/debconf/7.md)