First you should edit your /etc/inittab to look like this:
# These are the default runlevels in Slackware:
# 0 = halt
# 1 = single user mode
# 2 = unused (but configured the same as runlevel 3)
# 3 = multiuser mode (default Slackware runlevel)
# 4 = X11 with KDM/GDM/XDM (session managers)
# 5 = unused (but configured the same as runlevel 3)
# 6 = reboot
# Default runlevel. (Do not set to 0 or 6)
id:3:initdefault:
If you want it to stay in runlevel 3 by default. Now, if you're in KDE and you can't get back to the CLI by clicking K then Logout, it seems as though the problem is with your KDE and
not with your Slackware.
To get into X, you should just type
startx and leave out kdm all together. I bet it's your kdm that's causing this problem for you. When you're in KDE, try opening a terminal and seeing if kdm is running by typing
ps -a. If it is, kill the process by kill command (
man kill for more detailed info). Once you've issued the kill command, type ps -a again to see if it's gone. Now, just click on K then logout or exit. You should be back to the CLI at this point.
I've found some info on quitting kde at
http://www.kde.org/documentation/use...tting-kde.html which might be useful. To quote that page:
"Quitting will close all windows and return you to your console
or display manager."
It sounds like you're going back to the display manager. Honestly, I've never used KDE but after searching around ALOT it seems like this is fairly common with kdm. I would try a different window manager (such as XFCE, blackbox, fluxbox, etc.) rather than using KDE. Even Gnome might be better if you're looking for the bells and whistles.
Since you say your /etc/inittab is already set to runlevel 3, it doesn't make any sense why when logging out of KDE you don't go back to the command line. Hopefully this will help you out. I boot to runlevel 3 and use XFCE. I have no problems going back and forth from CLI to X. Very weird.