How do i get out of X - everytime i try to leave it just restarts itself
 

how do i exit X

Simple answer: logout.

But why do you want to "exit X" ?
With a better Q there's probably a better A ;)

Ctrl-Backspace will exit X.

If you're on the console you may be able to access one of the virtual terminals by hitting something like "Ctrl-Alt-F1" (or F2 or F3 etc...) and leave your X session intact - you can return to it from one of the virtual terminals by hitting "Alt-F7" (assuming it is on F7).

try /etc/init.d/gdm stop.
You are probably using GNOME and it is insistent.

If you want to stop X...

You can kill X and enter the console mode by opening a terminal and as "su" using the command "init 3". You should then see a screen with a log-in prompt. You will be in runlevel 3.

Open a terminal in the gui and type this

sudo telinit 3

may also work.

@smeezekitty

You should not be making any assumptions until the OP has clarified his post.

What do you mean by this?

@thorkelljarl

Different distros define different runlevels, differently. Until we know the OP's distro, your advice may be bad advice.

I acknowledge that you are both trying to be helpful, but posting random, rather than specific advice is likely to lead to confusion.

I think we need more information from Stevithen before this thread goes further.

I refer Stevithen to the question posted at #2

I assumed because GNOME does that.
If you kill X, it will restart itself.
What i meant by insistent is that it wont stop restarting X.