When I try to open the default console (in Phlak), it shows the console for a second, then it quits. I can open others like bash and the User Consloe, but I need to open this command line file, and I apparently can't without being able to open the default command line. Please help, and be nice, because I'm obviously a newbie.

I think you're mistaken about what you need to do. Essentially all terminals within a Linux system use the same shell, unless they are configured otherwise...something that generally isn't done by default.

What is it you need to accomplish which requires a certain terminal?

Ok, I downloaded Seti@home for Linux (console version). I want to run it. That's my goal.

open a shell terminal that works. you did say that there was a couple of terminals that worked. in that console when it's time to make install you can get access (assuming that user console is just the regular user's shell console) by using the command "su" and entering in your root password.

So, then you'd be able to open the normal console? Thanx so much.

Ok, I tried that and left the console open. Then I tried running Seti at home. The console came up for a second, then closed. What do I do now!!!

i'm not understanding what you're saying. what do you mean by normal console? if you got one console up and running (let's pretend aterm) then there's no reason to use that to open up another console (let's say konqueror). open up the console that works and run your program from it. am i missing something here?

ok, i open some batch file. it opens the console, then the console closes after a second. why?

""""ok, i open some batch file. it opens the console, then the console closes after a second. why?"""

It's because it's like if you open up ping.exe on windows, a dos window will open up and close real quick....

You need to open up a normal console, CD to the directory of the file you're "double clicking on" and then type ./file-youre-doube-clicking-on-that-just-opens-up-and-then-closes-real-fast

thats ./file-you-wanna-run

That should run the file instead of running it real quick.

You may need to be root to run it, maybe not.
If so,

type su and enter root password then cd to the directory and do the rest i told you to

does that help?

yes, thank you so much. i get it. man, i must've looked stupid!!!!!

wait, this is even more stupid, but how do you open a file once you CDed into the directory?

if you're in the directory where what you want to open is in:

if the file in question is a program/executable you want to run, use:

1. ./program_name

or

2. sh program_name

if you want to run this program in the background which will let you do other things on the same console window, the use:

1. ./program_name &


if file in question is a text file, use:

1. <text_editor's_program_name> file_name

or

2. cat file_name

or

3. more file_name

.... etc....

It tells me "cannot execute binary file". I think it's a script file. Boo hoo.

if it's a shell script, check the permissions or just do this as root:

chmod 755 filename

and then try running the program again. if that doesn't work, post the command you're trying to use and it's output.

1. ok, i typed in "su" and logged in
2. i typed "cd /home/morph/Brent/TEMP/setiathome-3.08.x86_64-pc-linux-gnu"
3. then I did "chmod 755 setiathome" (didn't work)
4. then I did "chmod 755 setiathome.su" (didn't work)
5. then I did "chmod 755 xsetiathome" (another version, didn't work)
6. then I did "chmod 755 xsetiathome.su" (didn't work)

WHAT'S GOING ON!!!!