[SOLVED] I can't use the ttys.

pr_deltoid · 06-21-2010, 03:14 AM

I can't switch from tty to tty. When I start up (I use startx for X) I can't even switch from tty1 to any other tty at all. When I'm using KDE, and I switch to a tty I have to use Ctrl-Alt-F*. When I do, it switches to the tty and after that I can't switch back to X or any other tty.

allend · 06-21-2010, 03:41 AM

From http://www.slackbook.org/

Quote:

8.4 Virtual Terminals

So you're in the middle of working on something and you decide you need to do something else. You could just drop what you're doing and switch tasks, but this is a multi-user system, right? And you can log in as many times simultaneously as you want, right? So why should you have to do one thing at a time?

You don't. We can't all have multiple keyboards, mice, and monitors for one machine; chances are most of us don't want them. Clearly, hardware isn't the solution. That leaves software, and Linux steps up on this one, providing “virtual terminals”, or “VTs”.

By pressing Alt and a function key, you can switch between virtual terminals; each function key corresponds to one. Slackware has logins on 6 VTs by default. Alt+F2 will take you to the second one, Alt+F3 to the third, etc.

The rest of the function keys are reserved for X sessions. Each X session uses its own VT, beginning with the seventh (Alt+F7) and going up. When in X, the Alt+Function key combination is replaced with Ctrl+Alt+Function; so if you are in X and want to get back to a text login (without exiting your X session), Ctrl+Alt+F3 will take you to the third. (Alt+F7 will take you back, assuming you're using the first X session.)

If you cannot switch back to your X session using Alt+F7, then this is likely to be a problem with your video driver.

pr_deltoid · 06-21-2010, 03:45 AM

I can't switch between any ttys at all. Then I run startx and when I do switch I can't switch again.
My video driver... I haven't had a single problem with any other Linux distribution or FreeBSD. Everything else to do with Slackware is working fine... That's strange.

allend · 06-21-2010, 03:54 AM

Perhaps you should have a look at /etc/inittab.

Code:

# These are the standard console login getties in multiuser mode:
c1:1235:respawn:/sbin/agetty 38400 tty1 linux
c2:1235:respawn:/sbin/agetty 38400 tty2 linux
c3:1235:respawn:/sbin/agetty 38400 tty3 linux
c4:1235:respawn:/sbin/agetty 38400 tty4 linux
c5:1235:respawn:/sbin/agetty 38400 tty5 linux
c6:12345:respawn:/sbin/agetty 38400 tty6 linux

By default, in run level 4, only tty6 is open.
If you want the others open, then add them.

Martinezio · 06-21-2010, 04:13 AM

pr_deltoid · 06-21-2010, 02:54 PM

I'm sorry, but what I've been saying is I don't have to get to run level 4, when I start up and I'm run level 3 I can't switch at all. Before running startx. I glanced at /etc/inittab already, but I'll have to read more or get help here if there is more that I can do.

afreitascs · 06-21-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prdeltoid

I'm sorry, but what I've been saying is I don't have to get to run level 4, when I start up and I'm run level 3 I can't switch at all. Before running startx. I glanced at /etc/inittab already, but I'll have to read more or get help here if there is more that I can do.

You already tried another keyboard?

pr_deltoid · 06-22-2010, 01:19 AM

I've used different distributions and switching between virtual consoles has always worked. It was just working perfectly with FreeBSD when I started using Slackware again. It's definitely not my keyboard. Slackware has acted like this since 12.2, and after I upgraded to 13.0. (I first tried Slackware using 12.2) I just installed Debian because I'm going to dual-boot Debian and another (probably Slackware, I'm still thinking). It wouldn't work either, but I just used the left-hand Windows key on my keyboard and it works. I only tried Alt/Ctrl-Alt using Slackware...

Martinezio · 06-22-2010, 02:53 AM

How did You upgraded Your system? Was a clean install, or You've just overwrited some packages using upgradepkg?

pr_deltoid · 06-22-2010, 01:13 PM

I updated using UPGRADE.TXT and CHANGES_AND_HINTS.TXT. Before I updated it was doing it. Now I've installed Slackware again (13.1) and it's just like Debian. When I use the left-hand Windows key it works perfectly.

I'm marking this as solved because even though I don't know why it happens or how to change it, I don't really need to or want to, personally.