I'm sure an easy question for current Linux user!

[pianomanbill]

Hi. This will be an easy question for
you Linux guys, I'm sure. : ) I
just installed Mandrake 7.2 for my first
time on it's own hard drive. (I
have another hard drive on the IDE cable
which has 98 se installed.) The
install seemed to go fine, but now when
I boot and don't do anything else,
it stops with the last 3 lines saying:
(third line up)Press <Return>
to continue.(second line up)--INIT:
Switching to runlevel: 3 (final
line)--INIT: Sending processes to the
TERM signal. Below this is a blinking
cursor. That's it. If I push Enter, I
can login, and then all it says is
[bill@localhost bill]$. That's all. What
next? How do I get into the main
system? It seems to be waiting for a
command. As you can guess, I have never
even seen a Linux system in action,
except on tech-tv a tiny bit. I am actually quite
knowledgeable with Windows. : ) Please
help. I want to learn about Linux on
my own system. Just wish I could get the
oper system to load! Thx in
advance!

[cybergal]

The $ is the bash (Bourne Again shell). This will allow you to use the command-line. To get into Xwindow, type "xinit" (this is what I use in Mandrake 7.1 and I assume it's the same for 7.2). Otherwise, type "startx". Hope this helps. I am also very new to Linux, so I'm sure someone else will be able to help you if this doesn't.

[The Whizzard]

Actually the OS has loaded. What you see is the CLI(command line interface), which is simmilar to DOS. Now, to get to the GUI(graphic user interface), you should be able to type 'startx' without the '. To get more information on how to use linux, look through the NHF's(a link is located on the main page of this site). If you have questions about a particular problem, you can do a forum search on this site. Many diferent problems and solutions can be found.

Linux, in many ways is diferent than Windows, so it will take some time to get used to. Don't get discouraged, keep at it, and you will be satisfied. Good luck.

[bobarian]

Yes, you managed to log in to the console (the linux equivalent of DOS). Not to argue or anything, but it's generally a better idea to type startx instead of xinit (in fact, forget about xinit for right now). I would suggest you get some good docs online (www.linuxdocs.org) or get an even better book, Running Linux by O'Reilly - easily the best reference and learning tool for newbies.

It's a relief to see a newbie post something besides Linux sucks!!! or Why X no work with no video card????
:mad:

[The Whizzard]

Originally posted by fancypiper:
<STRONG>Make sure you check out mc and links for use in the CLI (where the power is in Linux).

Linux: for people with a CLUE (Command Line User Environment). :cool:</STRONG>
Yes, mc is a great and powerful CLI app. Its kinda funny, I've been using linux for about a year and I just stumbled onto this a few weeks ago.

[fancypiper]

Make sure you check out the mc (Midnite Commander, a file manager/viewer/editor) and links (a text browser) programs for use in the CLI (where the power is in Linux).

Linux: for people with a CLUE (Command Line User Environment). :cool: