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How to install cygwin-X

The following directions describe how to install only the necessary files for cygwin-X, this happens to include the base installation for cygwin by default. If you want to install more than this, choose which options you want in addition to the X11 components. Keep in mind that the default installation of cygwin does not include the X11 or SSH components.

  1. Go to http://www.cygwin.com/
  2. Click on the link Install or update now!
  3. A File Download dialog box will appear, choose Open.
  4. Choose Install from the Internet
  5. Select the root directory (accepting the default is fine), check the option you want for Install for and the Default text file type.
  6. Select a Local Package Directory (accepting the default is fine)
  7. Select Direct Connection for Select Your Internet Connection
  8. Choose a download site (http://sigunix.cwru.edu is in the US and is a fast server)
  9. When prompted for what to include in the installation
  1. At the top of the list change All to Uninstall by clicking on the word Default until it toggles through the options and reads Uninstall
  2. Scroll down the list to the section named Net and open it by click on the + to the left of it
  3. Click once on the word SKIP next to the following four items until it changes to the version number (doesn't matter which version) and the checkbox in the Bin? column is checked.

inetutils
openssh
openssl
stunnel

  1. Shut the "Net" section by clicking its + again
  2. Scroll down to the section named "X11" and set it to Install (by clicking on the word Default until it toggles through the options to Install)
  3. Next, go back up the list to the section named "Base," open it, and find the item named "base files: A set of important system configuration and setup files." Click once on the word SKIP next to it until it becomes a version number (doesn't matter which version) and the checkbox under the Bin? column is checked.
  1. Next, click on the Next > button at the bottom of the screen.
  2. Cygwin-X will install, and at the end, ask if you want icons on the desktop and a shortcut in the start menu (your choice!).

Using cygwin-X To launch a remote Sessions via XDMCP (not supported on Wesleyan Servers)

  1. First launch the cygwin Bash shell (you can start this by choosing it from the Start menu, if you chose to have it included there).
  2. Next, type the following command in the shell window to open the session:

XWin.exe -query remote_hostname_or_ip_address

To display a remote client via SSH:

  1. First launch the cygwin Bash shell (you can start this by choosing it from the Start menu, if you chose to have it included there).
  2. Start an X11 session locally by typing the command startx at the prompt in the shell window
  3. Once the X11 session is open (in a new window), display the remote client by typing the following command in the new window

ssh -Y -l your_username remote_hostname_or_ip_address

for example, ssh -Y -l jwest woodstock.wesleyan.edu

  1. When the remote window opens, log into the remote host using, providing your password when prompted.
  2. After successfully authenticating, type the command for the X11 client you wish to display (e.g., mathematica, idlde, envi, matlab, sas).

For more information, see the Cygwin/X User's Guide, by Harold L. Hunt, II at http://x.cygwin.com/docs/ug/cygwin-x-ug.pdf .