Not start xwindows

[juno2]

my newly install RH will automatically go to xwindows when bootup , but my xwindows has problem , how can I force the system go to the shell instead of go to xwindows when bootup ? thx.

[Alexander Chuzhoy]

You should boot into single mode. For this:
1. while you're at the grub menu press "e" for editing. Then append "1" (after space of course) to a line starting with the word "kernel".
Then press "enter" and "b" for booting.This will boot you into single mode.
2. while you're at single mode edit the file /etc/inittab
and find a line: id:5:initdefault
replace "5" with "3" and save this file.Then reboot your pc.

[juno2]

thx reply, how can i force it to failsafe mode ? thx.

[Alexander Chuzhoy · Accepted solution]

I 'd suggest you to execute X -configure
and to follow the instructions.
maybe it'll help you to fix the X

[Steven E. Protter]

Also note:

Ctrl-alt-F1 will take you from graphic to command line mode.

SEP

[juno2]

hi Alex,

I am not very clear about your statement < append "1" (after space of course) to a line starting with the word "kernel" > ,

after I press "e" , my line is :

root
kernel /vmlinuz - 2.4.20.20.8 smp ro root =label=1

what should I do ? thx.

[Alexander Chuzhoy]

if you have grub as you boot manager
then when you boot your pc you should see something like this:
Red Hat Linux (version)


highlight this line and press "e"

then (unless you secured your grub with password in which case you should first type "p" and to enter the password)
highlight the line that begins with "kernel"
and press on "e" again it'll allow you to edit this line
then press on space and "1". Then enter and "b" for boot...

[Huc_1]

If you have lilo as boot loader then do
ctrl x
then type
linux S

this will get you in single user mode as root from there modifie /etc/inittab as explained above and you should be fine...

Jean-Pierre

[Glen Trevino]

If your system comes up on the network, simply telnet or ssh to the box. Change to root then edit the /etc/inittab "id" entry to read:

id:3:initdefault:

Then reboot. You should now be booting into multiuser console mode (runlevel 3) and from here you can get X working. To start X from the command line just enter "startx" and hit enter.

[John Meissner]

the easiest way to do this all the time is to edit your default run level from 5 to 3 as stated by Alexander. This will boot up to command prompt each time and you can always change your runlevel or just do a startx at a later time.