How to get gpm working
Forum: Other Help Topics
Topic: How to get gpm working
started by: SaidinUnleashed
Posted by SaidinUnleashed on May 12 2005,04:46
After several failed attemps, and some help from Seth_Has_Errors in IRC, I finally have a way to get gpm working.If you don't know what gpm is, you probably don't need it, but it's a console mouse server.
Anywho, this requires...
dsl-dpkg.dsl
gnu-utils.dsl (not really sure it needs this, but it never hurts)
Xfree86.dsl (if you actually USE X)
I have NOT been able to get Kdrive and gpm to cooperate, but I will keep fiddling.
Step 1. Install the required .dsls, and get Xfree86 running, if applicable.
Step 2. Quit X, su to root, make sure you are pointed to Debian Stable, and run apt-get update.
If you use X, as root, open XF86Config-4 in an editor, scroll down to the mouse definition and comment out the device line with a "#". On the line below it, type the following
| Code Sample |
| Option "Device" "/dev/gpmdata" |
Remember where your mouse was originally at, and the protocal, because we will need those in a sec.
Step 3. apt-get install gpm
It should start the config script for gpm when it's done installing, but we aren't going to use it, because it kinda sucks, so enter whatever you want, or hit ctrl+c to kill it.
Step 4. Test it.
Run the following command, replacing the values I told you to remember earlier where indicated.
| Code Sample |
| gpm -m <location of mouse> -t <protocal> -Rraw |
If it worked, and it should, you can just add that line to /opt/bootlocal.sh to have it start up every time. If not, killall gpm. You will need to play with the protocal setting, most likely. Play around if needed.
Whatever you do, do not change the -Rraw append. If you ever want to use X, you will need it.
If you use X, exit out of su, and start X. make sure your mouse is working properly, etc. It should be fine. :P
-J.P.
Posted by Seth on May 12 2005,05:41
ok an anendum to the above, it will work with kdrive, my mouse was filthy, so it was not tracking right anyway.any way:
fire up a xterm, and type : sudo nano -w /home/dsl/.xserverrc
find the -mouse /dev/mousedevice (/dev/psaux if u have a ps/2 mouse) part of the exec command and change it to -mouse /dev/gpmdata
press ctrl+x answer y then press return and exit and restart x
note :
-Seth
Posted by cbagger01 on May 12 2005,16:19
Great job, guys!This is an important development.
Why?
Because there are people out there with strange mouse pointer devices like touchpads, touchscreens, trackballs and nonstandard mice that cannot use the built in X-Windows system that comes with DSL (Kdrive/TinyX/Freedesktop.org).
However, if their devices are supported under gpm, it is now possible to use gpm in repeater mode and work with Kdrive and without the need to install the full-blown XFree86 which is important for computers with limited resources because
gpm+kdrive
uses less resources than
fullblown XFree86
This should go into the docs.
Posted by Seth on May 12 2005,17:21
ok an update, heres my small list of devices that work under gpm & kdrive : Synaptics touchpad (generic) PS/2 : Works under both
Kigston mouse (mouse in a box) Serial\PS/2 : works with the PS/2 adaptor, waiting for serial tests
Standard wheel mouse (genaric) PS/2 : Works
Ibm Ps/2 mouse PS/2 : Works
disclaimer , it worked for me but your millage may vary, so please dont yell if its not working right away
Posted by Seth on May 30 2005,02:47
*update*serial mice will work, it will not work with a ps/2 to serial adaptor tho
also setting it 'mouse systems' mode seems to cause problems here
Seth
Posted by gh78 on June 13 2005,05:33
Hi, i now have gpm kind of working on my laptop.My problem is: mc ( Midnight Commander ) doesn't see the mouse.
can you help?
thanks...