Stupid run level question

[guitarman]

I've done a search on run levels and I already know about /etc/inittab and how to enter the init 5 command on a command line AFTER I'm in Linux. My question is: can I type something DURING STARTUP to force the system to go to run level 3? I'm asking this just in case I have to use a different monitor and the computer hasn't been turned on yet (starting X with the wrong settings can damage the new monitor).

[nopun]

If you use lilo as your boot loader, you can specify the run level at the lilo prompt by typing say "linux 3" (substitute for "linux" whatever label you have given your linux system in /etc/lilo.conf, "linux" is normally the default if you have not changed it yourself)
Otherwise a suitable boot disk will do (eg tomsrtbt, sorry I don't have the link) to allow you to get at your system and make the changes you want.

[ 08 February 2001: Message edited by: nopun ]

[ph34r]

Or just always use runlevel 3 for your default - typing "startx" at a prompt reminds me sooo much of the old "type win at the dos prompt" days...