Hi,
when I start debian, I get a graphical gui where I can log in my username nd password. What I would like to get is just the terminal login. Anybody knows how to do that. Thanks
Amish

cool thanks,
Amish

OK.
open a terminal window

change to root
in the command prompt type
# cd /boot/grub
# cp menu.lst menu.lst.bak
# kwrite menu.lst
wait till kwite opens your grub configuration file.

then edit
where it reads

title Debian GNU/Linux, Kernel 2.6.*-*-386
root (hd0,*)
Kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.*-*-386 root=/dev/hd** ro init 3
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.*-*-386
savedefault
boot

add the words exactly as given above in red (do not edit or alter anything else)
save and exit
close your terminal window
from now on it will boot to a terminal screen.
if you want to revert
type
# cp /boot/grub/menu.lst.bak /boot/grub/menu.lst
it will ask whether to overwrite
type yes
thats it
Hope this helped.

Hi,
quick question does run level 3 provide me with the multi user console?
Amish

hi axr0284

the answer is yes

Is the 'init 3' method same as setting default runlevel to 3 from /etc/inittab?

Is the 'init 3' method same as setting default runlevel to 3 from /etc/inittab?

yes it is.

This would be more safe
and lets not play with configuration files unless we know what we are doing.

Hi,
I just tried what you said but it still logged on to the gui prompt. This is the content of my menu.lst. NOTE: the init 3 is on the same line as boot/vmlinuz...

## ## End Default Options ##

title Debian GNU/Linux, kernel 2.4.27-2-386
root (hd0,1)
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.4.27-2-386 root=/dev/hda2 ro init 3
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.4.27-2-386
savedefault
boot

I also changed inittab to id:3:initdefault: but that still sould not work. It would seem from what I read in another thread that debian starts the gdm in every run level so you have to disable the gdm to get a prompt.
Amish

Yes, reading the other thread says that runlevels 2-5 are essentially the same. So to be sure, if your runlevel is now 3, just remove /etc/rc3.d/S99?dm, where ? is x,k and g

Or, comment the line from /etc/X11/default-display-manager which has /usr/bin/kdm (or xdm or gdm)

comment = just add # to the beginning of the line

Ok so here is what worked for me.
Did "update-rc.d -f gdm remove".
This removed all the links to gdm in init.d from rc*.d directories. Now when I restart it goes to the console prompt

But then if I typed startkde, it would give me all theses errors about display="" and locked file and that something had to be started for this to work. I searched a little online and
I eventually resorted in using startx with .xinitrc file in my ~ directory with the word startkde in it.
I sincerely don't know why it would work this way but it did. If anybody can explain, I'd be grateful.
Amish

Dear Amish

Since this is Debian lets start over again
Debian Boot scripts are handed over to rc.sysvint at the run level 3 and or controlled by it from what to start and what not.

Since this is the case

the edited menu.lst file is correct.

but you will have to set one more thing
that is when you are logged in to gui, goto system open SysV-initeditor
it will ask for root password.
then you will be presented with a dialog box with all init levels
check levels, at init 3
if there are any window managers listed
just drag and drop them in the litter box (left corner of the same box) do not alter any thing else, save and exit,
then reboot.

if you want to enter gui just type your favorite WM name.

Like said do not play with rc.d files
because it can put your system down.