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How to load KDE(or any gui) from command line

Hello guys, this is my first post and also my very first linux installation. I'm running a dual boot xp pro and mandriva 2008 system with the KDE environment installed. When I boot into linux, I login as the user I created(not my root), and it goes directly into the command prompt. How can I load the GUI??? I have not learned or been able to find a command list for this OS. Any info is appreciated as I would love to start using this OS and learning how to use it.

I think you use startx or startkde.

But usually, with a fresh install of something like Mandriva, you should get a GUI by default, unless your video card drive is borked. So I would look at the output of dmesg | more and look at the logfiles in /var/log, probably syslog and xorg.log

-bash: startkde: command not found

is my response to either startkde and simliar to startx

Have you poked at the log for xorg yet? Mandriva is usually very newbie friendly, so I suspect the driver isn't loading properly.

how do i check the log?? Sorry I am the utmost of newbies here please understand.

To change directories, use cd. The root of the filesystem is "/". So to change to the bottom of the tree, type cd /. To list contents, type ls. You should see /var as one of the options. If you were to continue using cd and ls, you could "cd" your way to the right directory. To go quick, just do cd /var/log/. Then list the contents with ls. There should be a file called xorg.log (or maybe Xorg.0.log). To read it, just type more Xorg.0.log. Spacebar will move you through toward the ends of the file.

Try reading the output and look for something that looks like "Failed to load" or whatnot. You may just need to alter the video driver used.

the only logs I have available in that directory /var/log/ are auth.log, drakxtools.log, security.log, user.log, boot.log, lastlog, prcsys.log, syslog, faillog, and tallylog.

X*.log isn't there.

It sounds like you might not have the Xorg server or KDE installed. Use your package manager and search for packages with xorg in their name.

Otherwise, you could simply enable init level 5 as the default. You can do that in mcc or you can edit the /etc/inittab file.

example:

Code:

sudo sed -i '/:initdefault/s/id:[35]:initdefault:/id:5:initdefault/' /etc/inittab

If xorg, kde & kdm (or gdm) are installed, you can try starting the graphical system on a one shot basis with "sudo /sbin/init 5".

when i try those codes you suggested I get -bash: sudo: command not found

Sounds like you have an incomplete or corrupted installation. What disc did you use to install - ONE, Free? Did you check the md5sum of the ISO you downloaded? Did you set your burning software to verify the burned disc? This link may help:

http://wiki.mandriva.com/en/Docs/Ins..._does_not_work

Jim

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatfromwinnipeg (Post 3111106)

Welcome to Linux!

To boot into a GUI (This holds true for most distrobutions), type

Code:

startx

For me, that was a blank screen and then text again -- loads of text, and it printed out 'Depth of 8 not supported by driver.'

If that happens, go into root (type 'su') and edit your xorg.conf file. To do this, type

Code:

vim /path/of/xorg.conf

where /path/of equals your xorg.conf file (I cannot remember where that is, sorry.)

To edit with vim, though, you will need to know the following commands:

Code:

i = insert mode. When you are in insert mode, you can type text. Press the escape key to exit.



:w X = write file as name X.



:q! = Exit from editing (if you have not saved, this will not do anything to the file)



:x = Saves and Exits. DO NOT USE A CAPITAL X!!!

Then, find the line:

Code:

driver: XX

(XX equals your driver -- for me it was fglrx)

Replace it with:

Code:

driver: vesa

Also, you may want to correct your screen resolution. It's a good idea to put a comment by anything you change, saying what the original item was. Do this by putting a # in front of your text.

Then type 'exit' to get out of Root.

Type 'startx' again and it should work.

Good luck!

Edit: A good book for Linux commands is Linux System Commands. Here is the Amazon page for it: http://www.amazon.com/Linux-System-C.../dp/0764546694

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatfromwinnipeg (Post 3111194)

when i try those codes you suggested I get -bash: sudo: command not found

I haven't used Mandriva too much ... but if it's like other Distro's, your not in the sudoers file.
Go into root (command: su) and edit the sudoers file.

It's located at: /etc/sudoers, but it needs to be done by type the 'visudo' command.

If you try to run startx, and get file not found, su to root and install the startx package:

Code:

[user@localhost ~]$ su

Password: (enter your root password here)

[root@localhost user]# urpmi startx

If the startx command fails, or can not be installed, you can run mcc (as root) from the command line. You will get a text based menu on screen. Press the tab key to move the cursor to the list of actions, then the down arrow key to navigate to the Display menu item. Press the tab key to move the cursor to the Yes choice and press the Enter key to open xfDrake (the Mandriva Xorg configuration utility), then follow the prompts to configure you video card.

HTH,

In my good old Mandrake 10.1 which is what I think became mandriva years ago, I just type KDE at the command line.
There is a start up script, but since its been along time playing with linux I forget where, you just put the kde command in there and then it will automaticly start at boot time.