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    shut down x server?

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by jl1989, Oct 11, 2008.

  1. jl1989

    jl1989 Notebook Evangelist

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    trying to install nvidia graphics card. and it keeps giving me an error that x server is still running, on hardy heron
     
    jl1989, Oct 11, 2008
    #1
  2. Ethyriel

    Ethyriel Notebook Deity

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    Debian and distros based on it don't use traditional runlevels. Typically, runlevel 3 will be text mode, and runlevel 5 will be graphical. In that scenario, you can just use 'telinit 3' and 'telinit 5' to switch back and forth. Without that, and GDM running as a daemon, it's rather a pain.

    Not running a Debian based distro at the moment, I think 'killall gdm' followed by ctrl-alt-backspace should do it for you. But I'm not sure if that will bypass the respawning in inittab.

    If not, 'telinit 1' may get you where you need, but I don't think the network or anything else will start automatically.
     
    Ethyriel, Oct 11, 2008
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  3. jl1989

    jl1989 Notebook Evangelist

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    lol i tried sudo killall gdm and my screen went blank :D
     
    jl1989, Oct 11, 2008
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  4. jl1989

    jl1989 Notebook Evangelist

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    nothing worked :( it just logs me out
     
    jl1989, Oct 11, 2008
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  5. lowlymarine

    lowlymarine Notebook Deity

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    From the desktop, hit Ctrl+Alt+F1 to drop to a terminal. Then log in and type "sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop". Enter your password when prompted, and wait for X to stop. There you go.

    However, why can't you just use the restricted drivers manager (System -> Administration -> Hardware Drivers)? Installing the binary blob directly from nVidia's website rarely goes smoothly, and mistakes could end up breaking your X server.
     
    lowlymarine, Oct 11, 2008
    #5
  6. Ayle

    Ayle Trailblazer

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    log-off then type alt+f2
    and then:
    Code: 
    sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop
    to close x-server and the gnome display manager. Install your driver then when you're back to the terminal just type :
    Code: 
    sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start
    to get the gui back.
     
    Ayle, Oct 11, 2008
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  7. jl1989

    jl1989 Notebook Evangelist

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    hdmi output doesnt work with restricted drivers, so trying nvidia ones
     
    jl1989, Oct 11, 2008
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  8. jl1989

    jl1989 Notebook Evangelist

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    My screen just goes blank with both ways :S even terminal gone.... :O =/ =/
     
    jl1989, Oct 11, 2008
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  9. Amranu

    Amranu Notebook Consultant

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    Ubuntu isn't very well configured for fooling around outside the GUI, I guess. Rather unfortunate.
     
    Amranu, Oct 11, 2008
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  10. Ayle

    Ayle Trailblazer

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    I'm not use it is an ubuntu issue.... Why would the everything go blank....

    One thing that the OP might try is booting in recovery mode but I've never tried installing anything from that so I'm not sure about how that would go. But you boot in shell mode.
     
    Ayle, Oct 11, 2008
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  11. Fittersman

    Fittersman Wanna trade?

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    try envy to install the nvidia driver for you?
     
    Fittersman, Oct 11, 2008
    #11