I'm new to linux, this i my first time installing any distro of linux. After installinf slackware, my pc restarted and it started up in a 'DOS looking' enviroment. I logged in as 'root' and entered my password. Now what do I do? Is this it? I thought it had a user-interface like windows?? Can someone please help?

If it lets you log in as root, try entering the command:

startx

after the # symbol

PS - How did you log onto this forum if you can't get past the root prompt?

Welcome to LQ!

You don't get a graphical login by default with Slackware, and you should
never start a x-session as root. The first line of security in Linux is that you
login as a normal user, who only has permission to write to one directory,
which is /home/<username>. When you get that command line, you should
login as your regular user, then issue the command ->
$ startx
and that will give you a desktop environment. If you don't like the one you've
picked as default, then select Ctrl + Alt + Backspace and you will return to the
command line, then issue ->
$xwmconfig
and choose a different window manager.

I like Fluxbox because it's fast and I can customize it the way I like. If you are
used to a Windoze environment, and feel too much customization is not for you
right now, you'll probably want to try KDE. It's rather slow, because there is a
lot it loads by default, but you'll be closer to what you're used to.

There is a thread here at LQ called Post a link to your screenshot! that you
may browse to see a lot of members desktops.

If you'll get out your Slackware CD1, there is a lot of information in files on it that
will really help you get started. There's also a lot at the Slackware website.

Bah, don't be afraid of logging in as root, Windows users do it all the time.

Windows users get scripts executed on their boxen all the time, and
spyware added to their registry all the time, all because they're too
ignorant to protect themselves. ;)

Then they investigate Linux, and arrive at LQ for help.

Obvisously you want to disregard profjohn's comments. If you actually use the cmd line, sooner or later you will hose your box. Read these sites. If you have questions then come back.

http://slackbook.yoshiwara.org.uk/
http://www.slackware.com/book/
http://www.slackfiles.net/
http://docs.rinet.ru/Slackware-Linux/
http://wombat.san-francisco.ca.us/fa...c/cache/1.html