X11: The Mouse Cursor Looks Like a Bar Code or Is Missing

Support knowledgebase (cg_x11barcode)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: All versions

Symptom:

The graphical user interface starts and the selected desktop or window manager is displayed. However, instead of the mouse cursor, you only see a 'block' or a bar code-like object that can be moved on the screen with the mouse.

Cause:

The control of the hardware cursor provided by the graphics card is faulty, which has sometimes been observed in new graphics cards (Matrox G200 and Riva TNT(2)). This error mostly occurs when very high resolutions and color depths are used.

Solution:

This representation error can be solved with the option sw_cursor in the file /etc/XF86Config or /etc/X11/XF86Config (depending on which version you use). This option causes the mouse cursor to be drawn in software mode instead of using the corresponding function of the graphics card. You can set this option with sax or sax2. In SaX, select the tab options under "Graphic card" > "Advanced". You can then select this option from the displayed list.

Alternatively, if you have used xf86config for the configuration, you can insert this option directly in the configuration file. For further information, refer to "X Server Configuration with SaX" (http://sdb.suse.de/en/sdb/html/wessels_sax.html) or "X Server Configuration with SaX2" (http://sdb.suse.de/en/sdb/html/wessels_sax2.html).

Editing XF86Config Manually

Press CTRL+ALT+F1.

Log in as root and open the file XF86Config with a text editor. Depending on what version you use, the command will be:

Now search for the paragraph Section "DEVICE", which might be similar to this (in the following example, # introduces comment lines):
Section "Device"
  Identifier    "Primary-Card"
  VendorName    "manufacturer"
  BoardName     "cardname"
#  VideoRam      4096
Endsection
One or more entries can be inserted in this section. Append the option sw_cursor as follows:
Section "Device"
  Identifier    "Primary-Card"
  VendorName    "manufacturer"
  BoardName     "cardname"
#  VideoRam      4096
  Option        "sw_cursor"
Endsection

Finally, restart the X server to load the new options. To do this, log out of the graphical interface and restart x. In the login manager KDM, select Menu -> Restart X server.


Keywords: X11, BAR CODE, MOUSE, CURSOR

SDB-cg_x11barcode, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 04. Jul 2000
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 21. Mai 2002 by mmichna (sdb_gen 1.40.0)