I want to open in the terminal mode. I have reinstalled the OS more than once instructing the install to start in the text mode. But each time RedHat opens in the GUI. As an option I want to gedit the inttab file and change the id:5:initdfault to id:3:initdefault. But access is denied. I am the only user of this machine and have total access.

Hi Walt.

If /etc/inittab states id:5:initdefault: then it is set to boot up into runlevel 5, which is GUI mode.

You need to change this to id:3:initdefault: as you have already tried. The only reason I can see you not having access to the file is because you are logged in as a normal user. Have you tried logging in as 'root' ?

The default root user has access to everything, and can modify any file.

Give that a go and let me know how you get on.

Best Regs.
Craig

Thanks for your quick reply Craig. I agree that I can change anything when signed on as a Super User. I can't find the way to get loged on as the Super User. I have read three books that tell me what I need to do but none of them tell me how.

Thanks again, Walt

Ok that's cool we'll sort you out

Ok, if you are logged in as your normal user account, lets say it is called 'walt' for instance. Open up a terminal window (it is in your hat menu). Type su - then type in your root password which you would have setup during the installation. You can now from the promt run... gedit /etc/inittab you'll be able to change the entry from 5 to 3 now.

Another way, when you first boot up your machine and it gets you to the login window. Instead of typing your normal user account, type root as the username, and the password that you set during installation.

Let me know how you go

Regs
Craig

Thanks Craig, you did it. The use of the su did get me into the root because the # sign was shown. But I still could not edit the inittab file. So I rebooted and followed your suggestions and it worked perfectly. Many thanks for your help.
Blessings Walt.

That's great to hear

Talk to you later.

>Craig