direct boot to command line interface possible?

[yanvolking]

Hello Community,

My computer has a Windows XP / Ubuntu 9.10 dual boot. I use mainly Ubuntu and increasingly in command line interface as my linux shell experience develops. I find it simpler and above all much faster than working in the GUI.

Question: Is there a way of booting directly to command line interface (shell prompt) without having to load the full Ubuntu session? This would be a great way of saving time for certain tasks that can be executed in CLI.

Thanks

[lloyd_b]

If you remove GDM ("sudo apt-get remove gdm"), the system will boot to a console login.

If you need X for something, then "startx" in the console will bring it up.

I seem to recall that it's possible to deactivate GDM without actually uninstalling it, but I don't recall the command (hopefully someone else will wander by and provide it).

Lloyd B.

[sisco311]

You have several options:

1. rename the Upstart job:
   

   sudo mv /etc/init/{gdm.conf,gdm.conf.noexec}

   NOTE: if you reinstall/upgrade gdm the file is recreated.
   
   
   
2. edit the file and comment out the start on entry:
   

   # gdm - GNOME Display Manager
   #
   # The display manager service manages the X servers running on the
   # system, providing login and auto-login services
   
   description     "GNOME Display Manager"
   author          "William Jon McCann <mccann@jhu.edu>"
   
   #start on (filesystem
   #          and (graphics-device-added fb0 PRIMARY_DEVICE_FOR_DISPLAY=1
   #               or drm-device-added card0 PRIMARY_DEVICE_FOR_DISPLAY=1
   #               or stopped udevtrigger))
   stop on runlevel [016]
   ...

   to start gdm run:
   

   sudo initctl gdm start

   
   
3. edit the file and add a new event to the start on entry. i.e. start it on runlevel 3:
   
   

   # gdm - GNOME Display Manager
   #
   # The display manager service manages the X servers running on the
   # system, providing login and auto-login services
   
   description     "GNOME Display Manager"
   author          "William Jon McCann <mccann@jhu.edu>"
   
   start on (runlevel 3 
             and filesystem
             and (graphics-device-added fb0 PRIMARY_DEVICE_FOR_DISPLAY=1
                  or drm-device-added card0 PRIMARY_DEVICE_FOR_DISPLAY=1
                  or stopped udevtrigger))
   stop on runlevel [016]

   
   to start gdm run:
   

   sudo initctl gdm start

   or
   

   sudo initctl emit runlevel 3

   NOTE: You can boot in runlevel 3 by appending the linux line in GRUB with 3
   
   

   linux /boot/vmlinuz<-version> root=UUID=<uuid> ro quiet splash 3

   
   
4. comment out /usr/sbin/gdm in the /etc/X11/default-display-manager file:
   

   #/usr/sbin/gdm

[blueridgedog]

Why not simply:

sudo mv /etc/init/gdm.conf /etc/init/gdm.save

Then reboot? I have not tried it, but it should work. I will give it a try in a VM and report back.

EDIT: This works as expected in a 9.10 test virtual machine and can be easily undone with:

sudo mv /etc/init/gdm.save /etc/init/gdm.conf

By way of clarification: gdm is started in Ubuntu via the new "upstart" tool which stores config files in /etc/init. Each file ending with .conf is run, those ending in something else are not. If you do the change, you can always get X to start with "startx".

[falconindy]

Append 'text' to the kernel options in Grub.

Also, consider a lighter distro if you're not going to be using a GUI.

[ticthak@AOL.com]

The no edit version- boot into recovery mode, you can drop to cli right from there (last 2 entries in the menu, with or without networking)

[lloyd_b]

The no edit version- boot into recovery mode, you can drop to cli right from there (last 2 entries in the menu, with or without networking)

This is a BAD idea for normal use. Recovery mode does drop you immediately to a CLI, but it has you logged in as root, where the slightest mistake can have disastrous consequences.

Lloyd B.

[blueridgedog]

it has you logged in as root

Also, many services are not started, which will/may be needed.

[yanvolking]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your replies. I have chosen Sisco331's solution :

sudo mv /etc/init/{gdm.conf,gdm.conf.noexec}
for the direct to CLI boot and simply use "startx" command to go to the GUI.

Then back to CLI with "sudo shutdown -P now" to shut down.

Problem solved.