Member Avatar for extofer

I successfully installed Ubuntu Linux, and I am new to it. When I boot up, I log into a shell, from there, how do I start GNOME or KDE??

thanks

:)

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If you land at a text login, it usually means a minimal/server install finished without a desktop or display manager (what @TKSS suspected). The fastest fix is to add a desktop metapackage. GNOME is the default Ubuntu desktop today; KDE comes via the Kubuntu flavor. For GNOME:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop

This installs the full desktop and login screen. If you prefer a different flavor (e.g., Kubuntu, Xubuntu), grab the matching metapackage or install the flavor image directly. (ubuntu.com)

On Ubuntu 15.04 and newer (systemd-based), booting to a GUI is controlled by your display manager and the default boot “target.” ’s init.d hint applied to older releases; on current systems use systemctl and GNOME’s display manager:

sudo systemctl enable --now gdm3
sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target
# Optional: start the GUI immediately without reboot
sudo systemctl isolate graphical.target

display-manager.service is an alias that typically points to GDM on modern Ubuntu, and GDM replaced LightDM as the default in current Ubuntu Desktop releases. (freedesktop.org)

Runlevels note: and were both right for their eras. With Upstart (older Ubuntu), runlevels 2–5 were identical and all graphical; there wasn’t a special “text-only” level like in Red Hat. Since April 2015, Ubuntu switched to systemd, which replaces runlevels with targets such as multi-user.target (text) and graphical.target (GUI). If the GUI still will not start, check the display manager logs:

journalctl -b -u display-manager

This will usually pinpoint missing drivers or a misconfigured display manager. (wiki.ubuntu.com)

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Member Avatar for analogdog

At that point, you should be able to type "startx" and get Gnome up and running as the command should get XF86 up and running.

I am suprised that you ask this however, as Ubuntu should be running at level 5, not 3, so that you will get a graphical login client.

Are you sure that you installed the full meal deal?

Member Avatar for Member #2466

what he means by the full meal deal is...

At the beginning, when you put the disc in and booted off the CD...did you type 'server' or did you just hit enter? By default, Ubuntu will install the destkop and normally works right away...but if you typed 'server' you won't have all the stuff installed...it's barebones for a server so no desktop is installed.

Member Avatar for analogdog

Or if the installer crashed during installation, or if something weird happened....

I personally have had weird problems with Debian based installers, both with Ubuntu and Debian. I just can't get through the install cleanly.

Member Avatar for extofer

'startx' didn't work, I'm gonna do a re-install, we'll see how that goes.

Member Avatar for EmmetCaulfield

I am suprised that you ask this however, as Ubuntu should be running at level 5, not 3, so that you will get a graphical login client.

No, the default runlevel in recent (gutsy, feisty) Ubuntu Desktop is 2, and runlevels 2, 3, 4, and 5 are identical and graphical. There is no "text-only" runlevel 3 as there is in RedHat.

If you want (sane) RedHat-like runlevels in Ubuntu, you have to configure them yourself and replace/edit the /event.d/rc-default script.

I wrote a little HOWTO for Proper Runlevels in Ubuntu.

Sorry, I didn't intend to resurrect this old thread (never looked at the date!). No harm done: this question about Ubuntu runlevels is coming up quite a lot.

Member Avatar for jbennet

yeah i was just about to say that, but dont worry about resurrecting it, your post will hopefully help people

Member Avatar for lio04

If anybody will have this problem in future, try /etc/init.d/gdm start to start gnome display manager. Of course, with super user privileges.

*gdm can be replaced with kdm, xdm. Depends on your login manager.

Member Avatar for nev1956

I have just install Ubuntu as a newbee and I don't even know how and were to start Gnome or any other program, I'm a windows user and now I'm lost. I have got the desk top up but where do I go from that.

neville

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