Install Xorg X11 Window System on Arch Linux
Xorg is required to have any output on the display and which in turn requires video drivers to be installed. There is practically one choice when it comes to a window system – X11, aka X Window System. Certain additional packages need to be installed to enable keyboard support, hardware acceleration and more. Depending on the hardware more packages may need to be installed. They can be found in the xorg package that contains all dependencies however it is wasteful to install so many unused packages.
Install X11
Install Xorg display server and xinitrc.
sudo pacman -S xorg-server xorg-xinit
Install keyboard dependencies.
sudo pacman -S xf86-input-keyboard xorg-xkbcomp
Failure to install keyboard packages the entire display manager will fail to start with the following error messages:
(EE) Error compiling keymap (server-0) (EE) XKB: Couldn't compile keymap (EE) XKB: Failed to load keymap. Loading default keymap instead. (EE) XKB: Failed to compile keymap Keyboard initialization failed. This could be a missing or incorrect setup of xkeyboard-config. (EE)Fatal server error: (EE) Failed to activate core devices. (II) AIGLX: Suspending AIGLX clients for VT switch
These errors can also occur if the the drive that holds /root directory is full.
Test X11
Install minimalistic desktop for testing.
sudo pacman -S xorg-twm xorg-xclock xterm
Start the test desktop.
startx
Several windows and a clock should appear. This means the drivers and display manager is working correctly.
If all went well Install a Desktop Environment or run standalone graphical applications like Kodi or Steam.