Running X

# 6 Running X

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8mb of memory is a recommended minimum for running X. The server, window manager and an xterm take about 4 Mb of memory themselves. On a 4Mb system that would leave nothing left over for other applications like gcc that expect a few meg free. X will work with 4Mb of memory, but in practice compilation while running X can take 5 or 10 times as long due to constant paging.

The easiest way for new users to start X windows is to type: ```startx >& startx.log`''. Error messages are lost unless you redirect them because the server takes over the screen.

To get out of X windows, type: ```exit`'' in the console xterm. You can customize your X by creating `.xinitrc`, `.xserverrc`, and `.twmrc` files in your home directory as described in the xinit and startx man pages.

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