[Newbie problem] No graphical login
 

Hello,

I'm writting this for a good friend of mine who has just installed redhat linux 8 a week ago and is already having a problem, the problem is that instead of getting the graphical login screen he gets the text only and every few seconds the screen jumps. I read a bit on the net and foundout that it's most probably a problem with the x-windows settings, both he & I have no linux knowledge, I tried using the rescue console and typing xf86config but no-go. If anyone could give me step by step instructions (and the commands) to restore/change back the settings my friend and I would be very greatful. I also read that you need to change the runlevel (he uses grub so we need to edit the run command and add the runlevel at the end but that's all I know).

Thanks in advance! :)

You need to change the runlevel you do that by editing /etc/inittab#
change the line "id:3:initdefault:" to be "id:5:initdefault". but before you do that test that X works by typing into a VT (ctrl+alt+F1) "startx" if that starts it fine then go ahead with editing inittab

thx for the help, I'll try it just now, and after I've changed the runlevel, what do I have to do? (sorry for the super-newbie Qs)

/etc/inittab is only accessed during boot-up. so to switch to GUI login while the machine is on issue the command "init 5"

And after that I just type xf86config?

no, you don't need to run that at all, just carry on as normal.

And all that will change is the login?

Yes, from that point on when u reboot or restart your linux box the graphical logon will appear as opposed to the command line interface.