Can U suppress X Windows on Load?

goodboy · 04-20-2005, 01:57 PM

I can't load my Linux installation because the XConfig file needs to be updated for my monitor. I can't update my XConfig file because Linux just blacks out on me.

What can I do to get to the shell?

Thanks!

tangle · 04-20-2005, 02:16 PM

After the system boots and then blacks out, press ctrl + alt + F1. This will bring you to a command prompt so you can edit the file.

goodboy · 04-20-2005, 03:07 PM

I can't find the file... is there an easy way to alter my XF86Config? I know how to use emacs... or do I alter it using a executatable program?

Help!

username17 · 04-20-2005, 05:33 PM

You didn't list what Distro you're using, or what version of X.

It used to be /etc/X11/XFree86.conf (or something similar to that)
Now it's Xorg, so.. /etc/X11/xorg.conf

That could be different depending on your setup, but that's the file to edit, or you can run xorgconfig or XF86Config (again, depending on setup) and go through the x config again.

It's really easiest to make the change to the config file.

tangle · 04-20-2005, 06:07 PM

I think xf86config is the program your are looking for.

goodboy · 04-20-2005, 09:14 PM

I press Alt Ctr F1 like you said but it just changed the look of the screen. It put gibberish up there. Everytime I hit Alt Ctr F1 it switched it.

I am running Fedora Core 3 on an old Fujitsu e340.

username17 · 04-20-2005, 09:35 PM

Alt+Ctl+F1 will take you to the test based terminal, you should see any error output to the screen.
Alt+Ctl+F7 will take you back into X.

While you're on the first terminal with all the text, I believe Esc will kill X and take you back to the command prompt so that you can change the settings for your X config.

Doolspin · 04-20-2005, 10:04 PM

Alt-Ctrl-f1 will most likely take you back you the tty that launched X, so thats no good

Try F2 you should get a plain login screen. Also, on tty1 (atl-ctrl-f1) hit crtl-c to cancel X. or on ctrl-alt-backspace in your X display to exit it.