text based

[nfallon]

I just installed Debian to test it out. It installed everything then it gave me a login prompt. Is Debian all text based? I told it to install Gnome but can't figure out how to bring up the GUI.

Neil

[Spot]

If everything gnome installed ok, and you've configured it for your machine, it should be as simple as...

startx

If not, check with apt-get, I don't recall the exact command, something along the lines of

aptget -get missing gnome

or something like that.

[nfallon]

If everything gnome installed ok, and you've configured it for your machine, it should be as simple as...

startx

If not, check with apt-get, I don't recall the exact command, something along the lines of

aptget -get missing gnome

or something like that.

Hi Spot,

That didn't work. For some reason it has me logging into a bash shell. I'll try re-installing it.

Neil

[trommaster]

Try editing the /etc/inittab file.
this is the file that manages all the runlevels in linux.
Change the number from 3 (multi User) to 5 (X) and reboot
If this stuffs the sustem up, type in "linux 1" or "linux 3" at lilo and change the value back to 3

Alastair

[Spot]

For some reason it has me logging into a bash shell. I'll try re-installing it.

It's logging you into a shell for one or both of the following reasons:
1. You didn't set the default runlevel to log you into a gui (runlevel 5).
2. You didn't configure a gui and/or XFree86.

Reinstallation shouldn't be necessary (bite me Aragorn :P). Did you run the x-configuration tool to setup the gui/XFree86? The command should be in the neighborhood of:
XFree86conf
or
XFree86config
(can't recall the exact script, see the docs) or edit the config files manually in /etc/X11. No gui will run until that's done.

Debian *will not* hold your hand like Suse, Mandrake, and Redhat will during installation. You're pretty much on your own as far as installing packages and configuration goes. It's a bit tougher, yes, but you'll learn a HELL of a lot more in the process.

[JimH]

Try editing the /etc/inittab file.
this is the file that manages all the runlevels in linux.
Change the number from 3 (multi User) to 5 (X) and reboot
If this stuffs the sustem up, type in "linux 1" or "linux 3" at lilo and change the value back to 3

Alastair

RUNLEVEL 5!! Using runlevel 5 is sacrilege for us "old-time" Linux users. :P :

Jim H

[Aaron_Adams]

^^^

I'm not an "old-time" user, but damn straight. ;D

[trommaster]

RUNLEVEL 5!! Using runlevel 5 is sacrilege for us "old-time" Linux users. :P :

Jim H

well _SOOOOOOOOOOOOORY_

..... :P

[Semp]

You need to configure XFree I think. I think the command in Debian (or XFree for that matter) is "xf86config" or something along those lines. Good luck with Debian!