Can't change default GUI (rather don't know how)

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#1

Hey all,

So I just switched from KDE to Gnome and after a successful install upon logout I went to the panel that allows one to choose an application (KDE, Gnome, Windowmaker etc).

Gnome worked like a dream.

“I don’t remember installing any other applications,” I says to myself “Why would they be listed there? I’ll try booting into one of them.”

At random I chose a new xWindow and hit enter… blackness.

So like any linux user I created /etc/sysconfig/desktop with DESKTOP=“GNOME” and DISPLAYMANAGER=“GNOME” parameters to force my hand back into Gnome.

No dice. Where to next?
-Wiggy

#2

Ctrl + Shift + F* commands allow me to switch freely to command line and back. So if anyone could tell me the command to specify gnome on startx I think this would be an easy fix.

Thanks

#3

Reboot, and at the login screen, before logging in, choose the desktop you want from the menu at the bottom of the screen.

#4

udaman if only it were that simple!!

Well actually it was, but just in a different direction.
The problem with your suggestion is it never gave me that login screen: just blackness.

Solution: login via failsafe then use xinit gnome to specify x as gnome. Now, I have the option of retracing my steps to the login screen and adjusting the applications to my hearts content.

Thanks for your response.

#5

In fact, there is no “default” GUI. X will start the last used desktop environment, unless told otherwise by user’s choice in the login screen.

#6

Check that the file /etc/inittab has

# The default runlevel is defined here
id:5:initdefault:

You might be booting to run level 3, which is the command line, run level 5 is the GUI login.