I've read in previous threads that I could switch to text mode by opening a terminal and then pressing Alt+Backspace would close out the X GUI. This doesn't seem to be working for me. I press Alt+Backspace and nothing happens.. Is there another way to do this in RedHat? I am running vmware workstation but that shouldn't affect any of the commands while the cursor/keyboard are mounted. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hi hellish!

Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org. The real command to close X is ctrl + alt + backspace .
Remember though that, if you use a graphical login, it will not kill X completely, you will simply get back at the login screen. To change your login from graphical to text mode, edit (as root) the following line located at /etc/inittab

id:5:initdefault

to id:3:initdefault

Next time you reboot, you will have a text mode interface. After login, use:

startx

To start the X manager. One more thing, pressing simultaneously:

ctrl + alt +F[F keys from 1 - 6] will also bring a terminal for you when in graphical mode. Pressing ctrl + alt + F7 will bring you back to the X.

Good luck!