All Things Technology Related Thread

[skinsguy]

Speaking of Linux, I have an issue on my computer. It is duo booted with Windows 7. when I let the boot loader boot into Mint, it will get to the login screen, but will no longer open my password box to log into the desktop. Actually, I can't even reboot from that screen. Any thoughts on what happened? I'm thinking I might have to just format that partition and start over again. It's not like I had a lot of important things saved on my linux partition, but was just wondering why I, all of a sudden, can't log into my Liniux Mint desktop.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

Speaking of Linux, I have an issue on my computer. It is duo booted with Windows 7. when I let the boot loader boot into Mint, it will get to the login screen, but will no longer open my password box to log into the desktop. Actually, I can't even reboot from that screen. Any thoughts on what happened? I'm thinking I might have to just format that partition and start over again. It's not like I had a lot of important things saved on my linux partition, but was just wondering why I, all of a sudden, can't log into my Liniux Mint desktop.

In regards to your problem I guess one thing you could try is when you get to the log in screen hold ctrl+alt+f1 (I think F2 through F5 should work as well). That should bring up an old school terminal similar to this

Afterwards type your user name for the local host login, which usually is your first name all lower case, and your password, which will receive input but keep in mind it won't give you a ***** output like you're use to. For example say you type the ultra secure 12345 password, well you won't get any output on the screen even though the computer is accepting your input.

Afterwards press ctrl+alt+F7 and that should take you back to the desktop enviornment where hopefully you would be logged in but honestly I'm not sure how viable a method this is for what you're going through.

Switch to the console using CTRL+ALT+F1 (to switch back to the DISPLAY use CTRL+ALT+F7).

Heck at this point this is how I feel giving you advice for this particular problem:

Unfortunately Google was a bust when I tried to search for your problem. So yeahhhhhh 99% chance you're going to have to re-install 1% my method works.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag59

In regards to your problem I guess one thing you could try is when you get to the log in screen hold ctrl+alt+f1 (I think F2 through F5 should work as well). That should bring up an old school terminal similar to this

Afterwards type your user name for the local host login, which usually is your first name all lower case, and your password, which will receive input but keep in mind it won't give you a ***** output like you're use to. For example say you type the ultra secure 12345 password, well you won't get any output on the screen even though the computer is accepting your input.

Afterwards press ctrl+alt+F7 and that should take you back to the desktop enviornment where hopefully you would be logged in but honestly I'm not sure how viable a method this is for what you're going through.



Heck at this point this is how I feel giving you advice for this particular problem:

Unfortunately Google was a bust when I tried to search for your problem. So yeahhhhhh 99% chance you're going to have to re-install 1% my method works.

Hey thanks Dirt! I'll try that this evening and report back. It had been while since I had even booted the desktop, so maybe something had gotten corrupted on a reboot.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

Hey thanks Dirt! I'll try that this evening and report back. It had been while since I had even booted the desktop, so maybe something had gotten corrupted on a reboot.

So um....yeah I think I figured out the solution to your problem. I actually ended up having the same problem after recently installing Fedora 20 on my desktop. Boot into Linux only to be greeted with a black screen, terminals worked for me but regardless the GUI wasn't having it.

The cause seems to have been, at least in my case updating yum which is the Fedora equivalent of apt-get for Mint and other Ubuntu derivatives. Anyway after going through numerous forums and threads posted by people with similar problems I found that the solution was ridiculously and painfully simple.

When logged in as the root user I typed the following. Now get your pens out this is going to be a long command

startx

Thats it. F****G typing startx in a terminal fixed it for me. BASICALLY ONE F****G SIMPLE COM MAND.

So basically if I could go back in time heres what my response would have been.

Hey Skinsguy. Douch....I mean Dirtbag59 here. In regards to your problem please try the following.

1. Open a virtual terminal by pressing ctrl+alt+F1 (or F1-F6)

2. Use your basic login name in the local host field (usually either your first name in lower case or first initial last name. (For example John Smith is usually either john or jsmith). If you know your root password you can also try logging in as root then entering the root password.

3. If logged in as regular user type sudo startx if logged in as root simply type startx.

4. Press ctrl+alt+F7 and you should have your desktop back.

Now if you'll excuse me I have to go warn the Navy that the Japanese are planning to attack Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. BTW can anyone tell me todays date?