Boot: Setting the Runlevel at the LILO Prompt

Support knowledgebase (ke_init)

SuSE Linux: All versions

Situation:

During the boot process, you want to select a runlevel different from the one indicated in the file /etc/inittab. This may be necessary e.g. if you have configured a graphical login without checking first whether the x window system is properly set up or not.

Procedure:

If you boot Linux by way of LILO, you can enter the runlevel directly as a parameter at the boot prompt. The Linux kernel passes this parameter to the init process. With the entry:

linux 2

the system is started in runlevel 2. If you use a label other than "linux" in /etc/lilo.conf, that label must also be used at the LILO prompt.

Finally, log in to the console and change /etc/inittab if necessary.

XDM doesn't start ...

Setting the Runlevel in /etc/inittab