How to get the XFree86 4.2.0 source

Building XFree86 from a Source Distribution : How to get the XFree86 4.2.0 source
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## 1. How to get the XFree86 4.2.0 source

There are a few starting points for getting the XFree86 source. One option is to start directly with the XFree86 4.2.0 source distribution. In this case, the procedure is as follows:

- The XFree86 source is contained in files `X420src-1.tgz`, `X420src-2.tgz` and `X420src-3.tgz`. These can be found at ftp://ftp.xfree86.org/pub/XFree86/4.2.0/source/ and similar locations on XFree86 mirror sites. `X420src-2.tgz` contains the fonts and documentation source. `X420src-3.tgz` contains the hardcopy documentation. `X420src-1.tgz` contains everything else. If you don't need the docs or fonts you can get by with only `X420src-1.tgz`.
- Extract each of these files by running the following from a directory on a filesystem containing enough space (the full source requires around 270MB, and a similar amount is required in addition to this for the compiled binaries):

  > `gzip -d < X420src-1.tgz | tar vxf -
  > gzip -d < X420src-2.tgz | tar vxf -
  > gzip -d < X420src-3.tgz | tar vxf -
  > `

- If the release is not a full release, it is available as a patch against the previous full release in the ftp://ftp.xfree86.org/pub/XFree86/4.2.0/patches/ directory. Get the patch file from there and apply it by running the following command:

  > `cd the directory containing the xc directory
  > gzip -d < file | patch -s -p0 -E`

  Look for special patching instructions in the Release Notes.

Another option is to get the source by anonymous CVS or CVSup. See http://www.xfree86.org/cvs/ for details on the different procedure available.

All method will produce one main source directory called `xc`.

Building XFree86 from a Source Distribution : How to get the XFree86 4.2.0 source
Previous: Building XFree86 from a Source Distribution
Next: Configuring the source before building