runlevel 3/4 issues

Kristian2 · 10-30-2006, 08:55 AM

I prefer to start directly in X windows (initlevel 4), but my mouse doesn't work then because the gpm server is not started. There are also other scripts, deamons not started which are started in runlevel 3 (e.g. syslogd, rc.hotplug). Instead of copying the line that starts the mouse server I would like know if there is a more elegant solution to solve my mouse problem and could someone clariy the difference between both runlevels if X windows is used (usually).

soggycornflake · 10-30-2006, 09:31 AM

The only difference between runlevels 3 and 4 is that 4 starts an X display manager. That's it.

gpm is started in /etc/rc.d/rc.M which is run in both 3 and 4, and if syslog & hotplug aren't being started, then something is screwed.

bsdunix · 10-30-2006, 09:33 AM

If you change the default run level to 4 in /etc/inittab, the run level 3 scripts are still executed. Run level 3 is console sessions (no GUI), but you can start a GUI session buy typing "startx" at the command line. Run level 4 takes you right into GUI.

The /etc/rc.d/rc.gpm mouse server is used during console sessions (great for copy and paste between virtual consoles), The X server handles mouse movement during GUI sessions. Since your mouse is not functional during GUI sessions, your xorg.conf may need to be corrected.

Kristian2 · 10-30-2006, 12:07 PM

When I start X in runlevel 3 (by startx), my mouse works without problem. Nothing seems to be the problem in my xorg.conf, the mouse section is properly set, but when I directly start in runlevel 4 my mouse stays fixed on the screen.
At the moment I can only access my Linux section by booting from the cd-rom. When I use the standard boot kernel, I get a series of '9A' characters on the screen. I don't know yet whether there is a connection between these two problems.

Woodsman · 10-30-2006, 03:15 PM

Quote:

but my mouse doesn't work then because the gpm server is not started.

gpm is for using a mouse within a console, and is not related to the mouse in X.

Quote:

There are also other scripts, daemons not started which are started in runlevel 3 (e.g. syslogd, rc.hotplug).

This should not be the case, but is possible if you are starting runlevel 4 in an obscure manner.

Quote:

Instead of copying the line that starts the mouse server I would like know if there is a more elegant solution to solve my mouse problem and could someone clarify the difference between both runlevels if X windows is used (usually).

Perhaps the following will help:

Configuring Slackware for a GUI Startup—Part I
Configuring Slackware for a GUI Startup—Part II
Configuring Slackware for a GUI and a Command Line Startup
Configuring xorg.conf for Mice with Scroll Wheels

Kristian2 · 10-30-2006, 03:54 PM

I changed in inittab '3' in '4' in the default runlevel (as usual), nothing obscure I should think. I will have a look at your manual and build a new kernel with 2.6 as well (as soon as I manage to get a decent xterm in kde or other windowmanager, I sadly miss Gnome). Thanks for the links.