how do you bypass xwindows before it starts
 

Hi all.

This is a very newbie question but I have no clue. What key do I press right when I start my system to login in as root before xwindows even starts? I am having a video card problem and need to fix it via command line.

Thanks

One option for you, even after your window manager has started, is to press Ctl-Alt-F1, and that will take you to a terminal where you can login as root and change your settings.

-Josh

That option didn't work....any other ideas?

If you are using the grub , arrow down to the linux selection and press the "e" key.
On the next screen, arrow down to the kernel part and press the "e" key again.
On the next screen, go to the end of text and type: init 3 and press enter.
Now, type b while still highligted on the kernel part.

That should boot you to the command shell.

actually, control+alt+f2 is more likley to help you. f1 would give you info, but not a login.