ctl-alt-Fn is not enabled on multi-user fc27
 

I recently installed fc27 on a new laptop - lenovo t440p. I have been using fc27 on other computers, and have used multi-user since 1998, but on this installation ctl-alt-F3 is not recognized. (multi-user.service is enabled.)
I entered systemctl enable autovt@.service and rebooted but still some other service is needed to get me back to runlevel 3 performance (yes, I am an old hand).

Check /etc/systemd/logind.conf for the number of VTs allowed. From 'man logind.conf'...

Thanks,
I uncommented logind.conf NAutoVTs=6, rebooted - no improvement.
I reinstalled from an old OS image which has worked for a few years, followed the above - no improvement.
In both cases, I compared /lib/systemd/system/autovt@.service on new installation and old WORKING installation on a cheap, slower machine - identical files - no improvement.
I will keep working on it.

That won't have changed anything, since it already defaults to 6.

Is the following service active?

getty@.tty2.service - Getty on .tty2
Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/getty@.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: inactive (dead)

I previously compared /lib/systemd/.... I also just compared /usr/lib/systemd/.... as listed in the results of cmd systemctl status autovt@.ttyN.service
Identical files in WORKING and non-working machines.

I encountered something written about Debian:
..../getty.target.wants/getty-static.service
in the file is a line on ExecStart:
....getty@tty2...3...4...usw
in the same directory in WORKING fyodora 27:
..../getty.target.wants/getty@tty1.service this
is the only file in the directory, but tty2...6
are enabled.
From this, I gather fyodora uses another file,
located who knows where, to start tty2...tty3...
(fyodora pronunciation is another story)

Sorry, I don't understand what you're trying to convey in your last post. Returning to your opening post where you mentioned...
What is the current target (~runlevel) your OS is running at? Are you at rescue.target perhaps?
If not already at multi-user.target do
To set it as default do

As an aside, I never have a problem opening vt's in Fedora - including f27.
Rarely bother these days, as a wayland terminal usually suffices.

systemd journal is always the first place to look for messages.

From my very beginning with RedHat in 1998 I have used runlevel 3, ln -s, then systemctl so multi-user has always been my default. The first fyodora I remember using was fyodora 11 taken from a purchased dvd, since I am in the backwoods and just got dsl a few years ago in my neighbourhood (sitting in my livingroom, checking when I could expect delivery of a new dvd, was when I googled origin of the fyodora (Theodora Romanova) hat in Paris 19th century. I knew some Russian, so I learned the name came from a Russian princess.)
I am not yet using Wayland because I switched to matey-desktop right after multi-user (to avoid gnome 3). Matay may never support Wayland, it is low on the todo list. My first login is in bash multi-user with only one tty. I have always run with root on tty1, tty2 available to root, boris on tty3 in X (with startx), tty4 and above available to boris rarely needed for long bash text sessions (I am an Engineer, not a novel writer, but I never use word processor, only TeX with mpost).

PROBLEM SOLVED! (PARTIALLY)
I am working on a LENOGO T440S.
I couldn't see problem because it was under my big nose. On all previous computers since 1998, alt-F3 or ctl-alt-F3 worked as lainux-normal.
On this machine, alt-F3 does not work - it places a few characters on bash screen. But alt-fn-F3 switches to user's tty3 session.
Remaining problem is - alt-fn-F1 does not switch back to root's tty1 session - it opens application menu. Same goes with alt-ctl-F1 - no response. I will have to work out with supplier what the lenogo t440s key mappings are. Installing fyodora did not install standard lainux mappings. Installation selected Z60 keyboard, but may be R60.

Good to read of your progress. Not sure what's up with your keyboard mapping though. CRL+ALT+Fn has always been used for TTY switching, and T've never had an issue with it not working.

You're right. I have never had a problem before with fedora misreading keyboard model. This is refurbished, used laptop, so is old, but not real old. Keyboard laid a pig under the installation script. I'll wait until store manager or tech gives me the real model number rather than trying several and guessing. Everything else works fine and I have my budget and 90 percent filled in (by LaTeX) income tax forms on the machine, backed up.
Thanks for all your help.

You could use dmidecode to read BIOS info eg

Small netbooks are similar - you need to activate the "function" mode of the function key. We have one like that.That is how alt-F1 (in gnome, and thus Mate I guess) is defined (maps to the "Windows" key too usually) - did you try alt-ctl-fn-F1 ? You might need a friend to lend a hand on that one ... :p

The window manager on some systems would show up on other than keycombo 1 or F1. Try all of the number to see if the gui shows up. Go slowly too.

As you pointed out the keyboard may be goofy. Guess you might plug in a usb keyboard and see if it works as expected.