Enter: How to Install Gnome on Arch Linux

This updated guide examines Enter: How to Install Gnome on Arch Linux and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Part 1of 3:

Setting up Sound

1. Make sure that you're using Arch Linux. If you have a dual-boot system, you may need to switch to Arch Linux by restarting your computer, selecting Arch Linux when prompted, and pressing?Enter.
   • If you restart your computer, you will have to enter your username and password to log into Arch Linux before continuing.
2. Enter the sound package download command. Type insudo pacman -S alsa-utilsand press?Enter.
3. Enter your root password when prompted. This password may be different than the one that you use to log into your system. Type in your password, then press?Enter.
4. Confirm the download. Type inyand press?Enter. The Arch Linux sound package will begin downloading.
5. Enter the sound configuration command. Type inalsamixerand press?Enter. You should see a series of vertical bars appear on your screen.
6. Configure your computer's sound levels. Select a sound level (e.g., master ) using the right or left arrow keys, then raise or lower the volume of that level by pressing the up or down arrow key. When you're done setting the levels, pressF6, select your computer's sound card name, and press?Enter.
7. Exit the sound configuration page. Press theEsckey to do so.
8. Test your speakers. Type inspeaker-test -c 2and press?Enter. This will prompt Linux to test your speakers to make sure that they're working properly.
9. Complete the process. PressCtrl+C(or?Command+Con a Mac) to do so.

Part 2of 3:

Installing the X Window System

1. Enter the X Window download command. Before you can install a "desktop environment" (a GUI) on your computer, you'll need to install the base for it. Typesudo pacman -S xorg-server xorg-xinit xorg-server-utilsinto the command line and press?Enter.
2. Confirm the download. When prompted, type inyand press?Enter.
3. Enter the command to install desktop features. Type insudo pacman -S xorg-twm xorg-xclock xtermand press?Enter.
4. Enter your password, then confirm the download. When prompted, type in your root password and press?Enter, then type inyand press?Enter.
5. Wait for the installation to complete. This may take a few minutes since the packages are being downloaded onto your computer.
6. Start the X Window System. Type instartxand press?Enter. Doing so will open the X Window System command line, from which point you can install the GNOME GUI.

Part 3of 3:

Installing GNOME

1. Enter the DejaVu font download command. This font is crucial for the X Window System to work properly. Type insudo pacman -S ttf-dejavuand press?Enter.^[1]
2. Enter your root password. When prompted, type in your root password and press?Enter.
3. Confirm the download. Type inyand press?Enter.
4. Wait for the font to finish installing. This should only take a few minutes.
5. Enter the GNOME download command. Type insudo pacman -S gnomeand press?Enter.
6. Confirm the download. When prompted, type inyand press?Enter. GNOME will begin downloading.
   • This process can take anywhere from a couple of minutes to a couple of hours depending on your Internet speed.
7. Install an updated command line. The GNOME command line doesn't work in several versions of Arch Linux, but you can install a different one to compensate. To do so:
   • Type insudo pacman -S lxterminaland press?Enter.
   • Enter your root password when prompted.
   • Type inyand press?Enter.
8. Enable the display manager. Type insudo systemctl enable gdm.serviceand press?Enter.
9. Enter your password when prompted. You'll have to enter your root password at least twice during the display manager authentication. Once you see the phrase "AUTHENTICATION COMPLETE" at the bottom of the page, you can proceed.
10. Reboot your computer. Type inrebootand press?Enter. Your computer will restart itself; once it finishes rebooting, you should be greeted with a login page where you can select your name using the mouse, enter your password, and proceed into your newly interfaced computer desktop.