[SOLVED] Setting runlevel at boot time or how to escape level 4 if X locks up the machine

atelszewski · 04-19-2016, 09:43 AM

Hi,

I've been wondering about it for some time.
Assume my inittab is set by default to runlevel 4.
Now if X locks up the machine continually, how can I escape the situation?
Is it possible to override inittab's runlevel, e.g. by kernel command line parameter?
Or somehow stop the booting process at text console's login prompt?

Thanks in advance!

--
Best regards,
Andrzej Telszewski

ReaperX7 · 04-19-2016, 09:59 AM

Ctrl+Alt+F2 should drop you back to Bash.

slacker1337 · 04-19-2016, 09:59 AM

I would recommend restoring your default run level to 3. In /etc/inittab -
Replace this:

Code:

id:4:initdefault:

With this:

Code:

id:3:initdefault:

You can change your run level now by just typing

Code:

init 3

ponce · 04-19-2016, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atelszewski

Is it possible to override inittab's runlevel, e.g. by kernel command line parameter?

if you are booting a kernel called Linux, to boot in init 3 you can type at the lilo prompt

Code:

Linux init 3

EDIT: ops, it's like allend writes below, you don't need the "init" string.

allend · 04-19-2016, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Is it possible to override inittab's runlevel, e.g. by kernel command line parameter?

If you boot using lilo, at the initial login hit Tab and then add ' 3' (note that is [space]3) to the kernel parameters to boot to run level 3.

Quote:

Now if X locks up the machine continually, how can I escape the situation?

If X hangs, try Ctrl-Alt-Backspace to kill X.

atelszewski · 04-19-2016, 10:24 AM

Hi,

Quote:

add ' 3' (note that is [space]3) to the kernel parameters

That was exactly what I needed! Works perfectly. Thanks!

BTW, I'm using syslinux and when I said "X locks up the machine" I meant it locks up the machine to the point where it is locked up

--
Best regards,
Andrzej Telszewski

allend · 04-19-2016, 10:35 AM

Quote:

and when I said "X locks up the machine" I meant it locks up the machine to the point where it is locked up

That is why I said "try"

I know you are struggling with Skylake technology. Good luck! The community will benefit from your efforts. Thankyou.

atelszewski · 04-19-2016, 10:55 AM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by allend

I know you are struggling with Skylake technology.

Err, not exactly

I'm on Broadwell, but I'm testing Intel driver whenever I can and try to output something meaningful

Anyway, knowing how to change the runlevel from bootloader might come handy anytime

--
Best regards,
Andrzej Telszewski

archfan · 04-19-2016, 11:18 AM

(Remove this post please.)

mscole · 04-19-2016, 03:17 PM

I never boot directly into runlevel 4, I don't see the benefit. It is very easy to type startx and press enter.
Mike.

atelszewski · 04-19-2016, 04:08 PM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by mscole

I never boot directly into runlevel 4, I don't see the benefit. It is very easy to type startx and press enter.
Mike.

What suits you, might not suit others, and vice versa. You're free to do it your way.

--
Best regards,
Andrzej Telszewski

Gordie · 04-19-2016, 04:27 PM

I have been stuck like this too many times. Now I just boot to the command line and use startx

atelszewski · 04-19-2016, 04:41 PM

Hi,

Now I know how to override inittab's runlevel, so I'm safe with having it at 4

--
Best regards,
Andrzej Telszewski