How do I get to the desktop/Shell?

James McDowall · 06-18-2004, 05:27 PM

Hey guys,

I am very new to Linux. I am a programmer on the Mac and Windows XP, but I have decided to take a look at mandrake.

I have just installed Mandrake 9.2 on my Macintosh, and am runnning it via Virtual PC.

I installed it fine, however at the end of the installation it asked me if I wanted something strange to automatically load. Since I did not recognise the name, I clicked 'no'.

Big Mistake...

Seems like that was the Shell.

My question is; how do I get into the desktop from the command line after I have logged in?

Thanks.

slakmagik · 06-18-2004, 05:32 PM

Can't remember Mandrake's details but it sounds like you opted for a console runlevel, so 'startx' should work. You should also be able to edit /etc/inittab (or use a Mandrake GUI tool) to change the runlevel to graphical (probably 5 in Mandrake) to automatically get a GUI, though I prefer startx.

-- And welcome to LQ.

Peacedog · 06-18-2004, 05:33 PM

hi James McDowall, welcome to lq. try startx.
good luck.

<edit> digiot beats Peacedog to the punch, sure am glad this is forum and not a boxing match.

</edit>.

James McDowall · 06-18-2004, 07:18 PM

Thanks guys. I will try the 'startx' command later today.

If I have any questions I will ask them at this forum.

I am actually the admin over at http://www.themacforum.net, but I don't think the Mac Users know too much about Mandrake. Might start a PC forum one day. Just finished a website for the The Forum, will let people know when it is up.