PLUG-discuss digest, Vol 1 #3409 - 15 msgs

David Mandala plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
14 Mar 2003 11:52:08 -0700


On Fri, 2003-03-14 at 11:41, George Gambill wrote:
> David,
> 
> Issuing "startx" from the command line does indeed start the gnome GUI.
> 
> Mike,
> 
> Per the book "Red Hat Linux 8 Bible":
> 
> Table 12-4: Possible Run Levels (page 439)
> 
> re 3,4 "Multiple Mode with network services. Run level 3 is the typical
> value for initdefault on a Red Hat Linux server, but run level 4 (generally
> left to be user-defined) is almost identical in a default Red Hat Linux
> configuration."

run level 4 (as defined by Red Hat) is almost never used, in fact I've
personally never seen it used in more then 9 years of using Linux.

> 
> re. 5 "Multiuser mode with network services and X.  This run level starts
> the X server and presents a graphical login window, visually resembling any
> of the more expensive UNIX-based workstations. This is a common initdefault
> value for a Red Hat Linux workstation."
> 
> Interesting to note, these boxes were not set up as work stations and they
> were not set up as servers. They were set up with the "custom" option.  They
> are however, both servers of sorts.  One is a LTSP server and the other is
> functioning as a router.  Could that have anything to do with it?

Should not, could have if X was not installed.

> 
> Also, note, another box set up with the custom option works as advertised
> (re initdefault) and it servers such things as RealVNC and rdesktop.
> 
> Maybe I am asking the wrong question.  My original purpose was to change
> from gnome to KDE when X was started (startx).  On a RH8 box that does start
> in X (GUI), I could (at the GUI login in screen) select KDE and it would ask
> if I wanted to make KDE the default which is exactly what I want to do.  
> 
> Any better suggestions on setting KDE as default X?
> 

run switchdesk and choose which GUI you prefer.


> Further, on RH8, is there someplace where you can redefine the runlevels as
> far as how they act?
> 

/etc/rcx.d where x = the runlevel number that subdirectory is full of
symlinks andthing with a K is shutdown and anything with an S is started
in that run level.

You can adjust stuff the easy way by running chkconfig which is the
runlevel conf program. Read it's man page for use. 


> Thanks, George
> 
> 
> --- Origional Message ---
> 
> David Mandala wrote:
> 
> Sound off to me, inittab is indeed the correct place to control this.
> What happens when you try to run X on those machines? Does X run at all?
> 
> Mike wrote:
> 
> How are the runlevels defined? I know differant dists have differant
> runlevels
> defined.
> 
> -Mike
> 
> On Fri, 2003-03-14 at 10:07, George Gambill wrote:
> > I thought you could control booting to a GUI by id:5:initdefault: in
> > /etc/inittab.
> > 
> > For some reason, I have two RH8 boxes that boot to the text based login
> with
> > id:5:initdefault: in /etc/inittab.  Same thing with id:3:initdefault:.
> Any
> > ideas?
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David IS Mandala
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