# \[HOWTO\] Install Labwc on existing Mabox system - DON'T
**URL:** https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133
**Category:** Labwc
**Created:** [December 29, 2024, 8:19am UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133 "2024-12-29T08:19:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@napcok](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/napcok)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2024, 8:19am UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/1 "2024-12-29T08:19:44Z")
> DON’T DO THAT unless you’re an expert and like to configure everything by yourself, and deal with bugs.
>
> At this phase is really better to play with Qemu.
> See: [How to test Mabox Labwc pre-release iso with Qemu (Quickemu)](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/how-to-test-mabox-labwc-pre-release-iso-with-qemu-quickemu/2140)
_Note: Do not try this if you use NVIDIA card -seems broken_
Few steps:
1. Update system:
```auto
yay -Syyuu
```
1. Install needed files:
```auto
yay mabox-labwc-files
```
1. Use mb-reset script to copy needed config files into your home directory:
Four commands:
```auto
mb-reset labwc
mb-reset labwc-theme
mb-reset mabox-labwc
mb-reset waybar
```
1. Logout ( super+x → Logout)
2. In LightDM select labwc or Mabox-labwc session and log in
3. Click on desktop and select from the menu “Regenerate menu”
Have fun 🙂
---
### Author:  [@muzqs](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/muzqs)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2024, 10:46am UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/2 "2024-12-29T10:46:29Z")
Hi @napcok .
### Not working for me yet.
When i login labwc. The desktop is not reponding. No mouse.
When i click or do something with keyboard, an unclear/distorted boxie in the middle of the screen appears. Looks like workspace switch.
I had to reboot and go into tty and edit my lightdm.conf to not auto login, and change back to openbox.
Note:
_If you have your lightdm session to `auto login`._
_Change it first to manual login before login to labwc._
_So it is easier to switch when things are not going like it should._
🐦
> **Some info**
>
> Not sure if graphic card has influence…
> video-nvidia 2024.05.03 false PCI
> video-nvidia-470xx 2023.03.23 false PCI
> video-linux 2024.05.06 true PCI
> video-modesetting 2020.01.13 true PCI
> video-vesa 2017.03.12 true PCI
>
> ```
> video-linux 2024.05.06 true PCI
>
> ```
ps : @napcok if you need more system info, to get a better picture, let me know.
---
### Author:  [@napcok](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/napcok)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2024, 10:58am UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/3 "2024-12-29T10:58:31Z")
Do you use Nvidia card?
The whole thing is experimental.
Briefly tested in Qemu and one laptop (without Nvidia) - works fine here.
---
### Author:  [@muzqs](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/muzqs)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2024, 11:10am UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/4 "2024-12-29T11:10:09Z")
Yes i use Nvidia.
> [@napcok](#):
>
> The whole thing is experimental.
👍
I will have some read about labwac and nvidia.
🐦
---
### Author:  [@muzqs](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/muzqs)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2024, 11:31am UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/5 "2024-12-29T11:31:38Z")
Link to trouble shooting Nvidia.
> **[labwc](https://labwc.github.io/troubleshooting)**
>
> An Openbox inspired wlroots-based stacking Wayland compositor.
Did not try this yet. But my firts thing [cursor part] to look at for next try.
🐦
---
### Author:  [@Tomek](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/Tomek)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2024, 11:51am UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/6 "2024-12-29T11:51:31Z")
They didn’t mentioned that, but for NVIDIA you also need to enable modesetting. Add this kernel parameter:
```auto
nvidia-drm.modeset=1
```
And general rule: newer NVIDIA drivers = better work with Wayland and less hacks to make it works 😉
---
### Author:  [@slim](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/slim)
#### Post date: [January 1, 2025, 1:02pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/7 "2025-01-01T13:02:43Z")
> [@Tomek](#):
>
> And general rule: newer NVIDIA drivers = better work with Wayland and less hacks to make it works 😉
Does this imply that for an old labtop with nvidia you might as well forget wayland?
---
### Author:  [@Tomek](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/Tomek)
#### Post date: [January 1, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/8 "2025-01-01T14:24:49Z")
Not quite
- 390xx don’t support Wayland at all, you must stay with X11 or use nouveau
- 470xx support Wayland, but it’s buggy and in some situations every day usage on Wayland may be unpleasant
- 550xx and newer - should work very well especially since 555xx series (which didn’t arrived to Manjaro and Mabox yet)
- nouveau - works with all NVIDIA gpus (especially with older ones), supports Wayland very well but this is inefficient driver not for gaming or GPU tasks.
---
### Author:  [@Claudio](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/Claudio)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 1:29am UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/9 "2025-01-09T01:29:10Z")
Well, for the moment I will leave this for those who have the time and experience to play.
I have noticed a competition between Wayland and X11 as Systemd vs No Systemd.
I wish for a day when we put egos to one side in pro of making a better Linux suitable for everyone.
Best of success
---
### Author:  [@muzqs](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/muzqs)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 12:33pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/10 "2025-01-09T12:33:57Z")
@napcok ,
Testing Labwc mabox.
_fresh install. mb-reset all._
> Issue: sfwbar not starting up.
Error :
```auto
Trace/ Breakpoint trap (core dumped)
```
Panel not starting with `mabox.config` file.
🐦
---
### Author:  [@napcok](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/napcok)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 12:40pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/11 "2025-01-09T12:40:19Z")
Fresh install from which ISO?
---
### Author:  [@muzqs](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/muzqs)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 12:41pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/12 "2025-01-09T12:41:53Z")
hmmm no. i had openbox only. followed the instructions from forum to install on excisting system.
🐦
---
### Author:  [@napcok](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/napcok)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 12:47pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/13 "2025-01-09T12:47:49Z")
> [@muzqs](#):
>
> should i install the new iso ?
No, no, no. Better to not waste time for installing pre-release ISO on real hardware. Bugs are expected at this phase.
You might try to install sfwbar-git
```auto
yay sfwbar-git
```
Thos two pre-release ISOs and configurations available in the repo at the moment are really basic - more for experiments than to real use. Tomorrow I will publish new iso - this time with some goodies 😉
---
### Author:  [@muzqs](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/muzqs)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 12:52pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/14 "2025-01-09T12:52:17Z")
> [@napcok](#):
>
> You might try to install sfwbar-git
Just did that. Got the git version. 🙂
That helps with config dir present… 🐦
---
### Author:  [@muzqs](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/muzqs)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 12:53pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/15 "2025-01-09T12:53:26Z")
> [@muzqs](#):
>
> should i install the new iso ?
I deleted it because i knew of course. 🤪
---
### Author:  [@napcok](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/napcok)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 1:01pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/16 "2025-01-09T13:01:41Z")
I updated my first post as presently is really better to play with pre-release iso using Qemu.
[How to test Mabox Labwc pre-release iso with Qemu (Quickemu)](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/how-to-test-mabox-labwc-pre-release-iso-with-qemu-quickemu/2140)
---
### Author:  [@muzqs](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/muzqs)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/17 "2025-01-09T18:16:25Z")
Testing 1,2,3…
- Firefox missing:` hide, fullscreen buttons.`
- wallpaper done with `waypaper - mpvpaper.`
🐦
---
### Author:  [@muzqs](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/muzqs)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 7:21pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/18 "2025-01-09T19:21:20Z")
#### To start Mabox with Qemu i needed to use the following.
```auto
quickemu --vm mabox-labwc.conf --mouse tablet
```
Because my mouse at the right border flipt out to early to host.
🐦
---
### Author:  [@muzqs](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/u/muzqs)
#### Post date: [January 9, 2025, 8:21pm UTC](https://forum.maboxlinux.org/t/howto-install-labwc-on-existing-mabox-system-dont/2133/19 "2025-01-09T20:21:29Z")
