Author Topic: Linux Newb X stop question  (Read 496 times)

black-heart

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Linux Newb X stop question
« on: 26 May 2003, 02:33 »
Ok i want the nvidia driver, which says i have to stop X from running before install.

Erm... how?
I am using mandrake 9.1 and it boots into KDE I can't see a way to stop X starting, so how do i stop it once its running?

Fett101

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Linux Newb X stop question
« Reply #1 on: 26 May 2003, 04:08 »
It depends in part on how you started it. If you are running XDM, GDM, KDM, or some other program that lets you log directly in to X, then you have to stop that program after you have logged out of your X session. The way I usually do this is as follows:

1) Log out of your X session. If you are using Gnome or KDE, then use the foot menu/ KDE (I think it's a gear?) menu to choose the log out option. Any other window manager will probably produce a menu that includes an 'exit <whatever>' option if you click on the screen some place where there isn't anything else showing. (Try all three buttons - which one produces this menu varries.) Failing all of the above, use the key combination ctrl+alt+backspace

2) If logging out puts you back at a command prompt, you weren't running KDM, GDM, or XDM. X is no longer running. Otherwise, you will need to stop your display manager. Start by hitting ctrl+alt+F1, which should give you a text-only login prompt. (on /dev/tty1) Log in as 'root'. On a Debian system running GDM, the command now would be '/etc/init.d/gdm stop'. Substitude kdm or xdm if you are running that instead. I *think* these are right for Red Hat as well, but I don't have an RH machine handy to double check, and this is an area where there is some difference between the two distros.

Of course, if you don't actually need to *stop* X, just want a command line for a while, you can simply hit ctrl+alt+F#, where F# is F1-F6 (Probably. This is configurable, and I've certainly set up systems to use more, but if you don't know how to do all this, you've probably still got the defaults.) You can then switch between six separate command line screens with alt+F#, and go back to X with alt+F7.

Pantso

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Linux Newb X stop question
« Reply #2 on: 26 May 2003, 04:20 »
Here's what I did in SuSE's distros, which must apply for Mandrake as well:

1) If in KDE log out, as fett wrote

2) When logged out and into KDM, press Ctrl+Alt+F1 at the same time

3) You'll then find yourself at the Command Line Interface but the X server will still be running on init 5

4) Login as root from the Terminal

5) Type your password

6) Type 'init 3' and press Enter

7) Install the drivers

8) When done type 'init 5'

You could always press Ctrl+Alt+Backspace as fett wrote and the X server will die. I do however prefer the above method.

[ May 25, 2003: Message edited by: Panos ]


Faust

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Linux Newb X stop question
« Reply #3 on: 26 May 2003, 04:21 »
I don't think you do have to stop X.
Just install, set it up properly (which can be tricky) and then do ctrl-alt-backspace to reset X and start using the drivers.  The setting it up bit is difficult though.
Yesterday it worked
Today it is not working
Windows is like that
 -- http://www.gnu.org/fun/jokes/error-haiku.html

black-heart

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Linux Newb X stop question
« Reply #4 on: 26 May 2003, 05:53 »
Thanks for your help, that worked just fine, now to install wine...