Re: [tlug] Runlevel 3 blues (solved)

[Raedwolf Summoner <rarooam@example.com>]

Thanks, Stephen!

“Stephen J. Turnbull" wrote:

> (1) First, shut down any user level stuff that might have unsaved
> files etc., just like if you were going to reboot.
> (2) sudo /sbin/telinit 3

I have extremely limited computing knowledge (as I am sure you

must have noticed from the type of questions I ask). I tried the

above, with no success. After unpacking, the Nvidia installer still

moaned about an x-server and dumped me back at the prompt.

> > Is there any way out of this mess without switching to a different
> > distro?
>
> Surely. But you've come back to this well enough times that I'm
> wondering about whether you should switch distros (or more likely,
> just pull the plug on automatic updates, and manually install only
> those labelled "security").

I really appreciate all the help I've been given here. I try not to

abuse it. I do spend a minimum of 3 days googling and trying to

solve something before asking.

> If none of the above works, start a reboot, when it gets to the grub
> prompt, stop there and add "S" to your default command line, then let
> the reboot continue. This will put you in single-user mode and you
> should be able to reinstall the driver at that point using aptitude or
> dpkg.
>
> Sorry I can't help you with the grub boot prompt if Ubuntu hides that.

Well, after butting heads with Grub several times and googling, I

found that runlevel 3 doesn't work in Ubuntu, you have to use the

rescue mode and choose a boot prompt in runlevel 1. The Nvidia

driver issues dire warnings of global warming and epic disasters

that could result, and then begrudgingly installs in runlevel 1.

Graphics up again. I really appreciate the help!!

Because of a visceral (gag) reaction to Unity, there is no way I'd

consider an “upgrade” to the current Ubuntu, so I was looking

around for an alternative distro anyway. Lint Minux might

be the easiest. I did like Pardus Linux a lot when I tried it, but the

Asian languages difficulties on that were beyond my limited

computing mojo. I do not work in computers and have never

studied computing, so mostly I'm limited to googling for answers

or asking in a forum. I have always received my best hints at TLUG.

So once again, thanks!

--Ralph