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Using a Text Display After Boot

Elsewhere I describe configuring your machine to use a text boot process. Whether or not you get a text console or an X (graphical) screen after the boot process is complete is an independent issue, and is based on the configured run level of the machine.

Permanent Change of Run Level

If you want a text interface after boot, you want to be running at run level three (3). If you want a graphical interface after boot, you want to be running at run level five (5).

In order to change the default run level of the machine, edit the file /etc/inittab and look for a block of code like this:

    id:5:initdefault:

Temporary Change of Run Level

If you want to make an immediate and temporary change to the current run level, you can do this via telinit(8):

    telinit 3

Getting a Text Console Without a Runlevel Change

If you need a text console for the moment but don't want to mess with run levels, you can do a CTRL-ALT-F1, CTRL-ALT-F2, et cetera, to get different consoles. When you want to go back to the graphical console, it should be up around CTRL-ALT-F7 or CTRL-ALT-F8. (The CTRL can be omitted if you're already in text mode.)