Remarks:
- should work for FreeBSD 12 serie too1- Install FreeBSD 11.4
- download the memstick: FreeBSD-11.4-RELEASE-amd64-memstick.img# write it onto you usb key:
dd if=PATH_TO/FreeBSD-11.4-RELEASE-amd64-memstick.img of=/dev/daX status=progress conv=sync
- plug your usb key into your Alienware, check the bios setting concerning the boot order and power-on the Alienware
- do not forget to add a normal user and add him to the wheel group (he will be able to use the command
su -
)- configure the network
2- update the system
# log in and become root $ su -
# update the whole system
$ freebsd-update fetch
$ freebsd-update install
# restart the beast
$ shutdown -r now
3- Packages
# log in and become root $ su -
# bootstrap pkg
$ pkg bootstrap
# update pkg
$ pkg update
# as it is a desktop machine so install graphic card drivers and the X-11 system
# I use a minimal installation so add/change packages to fit your needs
# - drm-kmod: kernel module for drm
# - xorg-minimal: xorg server minimal install
# - xdm: desktop manager
# - pekwm: my favorite window manager
# - xorg-apps: basic X-11 applications
# - xorg-drivers: for mouse, keyborad, etc.
# - xorg-vfbserver: the frame-buffer server
# - nvidia-440: nvidia drivers (check the last version number)
$ pkg install drm-kmod xorg-minimal xdm pekwm xorg-apps xorg-drivers xorg-vfbserver nvidia-400.100_1
# add kernel modules to load at boot
$ echo "kld_list=\"drm drm2 i915 i915kms nvidia nvidia-modeset\"" >> /etc/rc.conf
# reboot
$ shutdown -r now
# if everything goes right, your console display should change from "ugly (big font)" to "nice (small font)"
4- Xorg configuration and test
# change to the 2nd console (no more disturbing messages from the system)Ctrl+Alt+F2
# log in and become root
$ su -
# check the kernel modules
# normally the following modules should be loaded:
# - drm
# - drm2
# - i915
# - i915kms
# - nvidia
# - nvidia-modeset
$ kldstat
# get a first config file
$ xorg -retro -configure
# replace nvidia by scfb for the device "Card0"
# you can edit the file with
vi ~/xorg.conf.new
# if something goes wrong restart from the previous step (above)
$ sed -i '' -e "s|nvidia|scfb|g" ~/xorg.conf.new
# to stop X you need to log in another console
Ctrl+Alt+F3
# on this new console become root
$ su -
# return to the previuos console
Ctrl+Alt+F2
# test X
$ X -config ~/xorg.conf.new
# at this step the screen should be black with a white cursor at the top left position of the screen
# everything should work
# need to stop X
# switch to the 3rd console
Ctrl+Atl+F3
# get information about X
$ ps auxwww | grep -i x
# from the result, kill the X server
$ kill -9 X_SERVER_PID
# check for X messages
$ less /var/log/Xorg.0.log
# copy the xorg configuration file
cp -f ~/xorg.conf.new /etc/X11/xorg.conf
5- Window Manager test
# before using xdm, we will test if we do not miss something# create a file for
startx
$ echo "xterm &" > ~/.xinitrc
$ echo "YOUR_WINDOW_MANAGER_NAME" >> ~/.xinitrc
# we start X with startx
$ startx
# you should get an xterm window
# to exit just use the menu from your window manager
# copy the .xinitrc file to .xsession
$ cp ~/.xinitrc ~/.xsession
6- Xdm configuration
# change the line of: /etc/ttys $ vi /etc/ttys
# from 'off'
# to 'on'ttyv8 "/usr/local/bin/xdm -nodaemon" xterm off secure
ttyv8 "/usr/local/bin/xdm -nodaemon" xterm on secure
# reboot to get the xdm screen
$ shutdown -r now
You should get the xdm interface
7- post installation
# check the xorg log and try to solve any error# specially the font one
$ less /var/log/Xorg.0.log