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#1 2009-11-02 08:30:16

rpkita
Member
Registered: 2009-11-02
Posts: 16

[Solved] Help - stuck at boot-up due to an entry in xinitrc

Hi all smile

I'm a new Arch Linux user. I need some help because the machine is now stuck at boot-up due to "bad" entry in xinitrc. I was wondering, is there a workaround for this?

Here's my config:

I installed IceWM as the Windows Manager, and I configure the Arch Linux to go straight to X (which will run IceWM) at startup, without user login. I run IceWM by adding "exec icewm" in .xinitrc file.

At this point everything run well.

Now, I found that I need to run "icewmbg" prior to "icewm" to enable the background image.
So, due to my lack of knowledge, I added "exec icewmbg" prior to "exec icewm".
Now at startup I'm stuck with a background image, with no icewm running, no terminal, hopeless.

(I think the correct way is that I should run "icewmbg" as a background process so that it will continue to icewm, right? Or maybe I should run icewmbg as a daemon?)

So, is there a workaround for this stuck problem? I mean, how can I stop Arch Linux from going straight to X at startup so that I can edit the .xinitrc?

Thank you so much. smile

Last edited by rpkita (2009-11-06 18:30:32)

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#2 2009-11-02 08:42:21

bernarcher
Forum Fellow
From: Germany
Registered: 2009-02-17
Posts: 2,281

Re: [Solved] Help - stuck at boot-up due to an entry in xinitrc

You should use icewm-session instead of icewm. This will automatically start icewmbg (and icewmtray btw.)

Last edited by bernarcher (2009-11-02 08:42:36)


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#3 2009-11-02 08:47:26

rpkita
Member
Registered: 2009-11-02
Posts: 16

Re: [Solved] Help - stuck at boot-up due to an entry in xinitrc

Thanks bernarcher, I will give it a try.

The problem is, currently I'm stuck, I don't get terminal.
What should I do to prevent Arch Linux to go straight to X without login, so that I can edit .xinitrc?

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#4 2009-11-02 09:03:38

bernarcher
Forum Fellow
From: Germany
Registered: 2009-02-17
Posts: 2,281

Re: [Solved] Help - stuck at boot-up due to an entry in xinitrc

Try adding a 3 to the boot command line when grub starts. This will take you to a console pompt (init level 3) instead of starting X.

Or you rather want to make the level 3 boot permanent. Therefore uncomment the

#id:3:initdefault:

line in /etc/inittab. But be sure to comment the

id:5:initdefault:

To know or not to know ...
... the questions remain forever.

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#5 2009-11-02 09:39:21

rpkita
Member
Registered: 2009-11-02
Posts: 16

Re: [Solved] Help - stuck at boot-up due to an entry in xinitrc

Thanks bernarcher, but how am I supposed to add a 3 to the boot command, without using the terminal?

Yes, I will make it permanent once I can get a terminal.

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#6 2009-11-02 16:59:58

pyokagan
Member
From: Singapore
Registered: 2009-09-01
Posts: 9

Re: [Solved] Help - stuck at boot-up due to an entry in xinitrc

From memory...

At the grub boot screen, where you select the OS your are booting (it is blue in color)

At the "Arch Linux" menu item, press e. The GRUB boot commands will appear.

Then, go to the line that starts with "kernel", something like this:

kernel /boot/vmlinuz26 root=<something> ro

Press e to edit it.

Go to the end of the line, enter in '3' with a space after the 'ro', then press enter.

Press 'b' to boot your modified GRUB commands.

The help at the bottom should be self-explanatory.

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#7 2009-11-02 18:38:39

rpkita
Member
Registered: 2009-11-02
Posts: 16

Re: [Solved] Help - stuck at boot-up due to an entry in xinitrc

Thanks pyokagan, I will give it a try smile

I will post an update.

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#8 2009-11-03 01:29:36

rpkita
Member
Registered: 2009-11-02
Posts: 16

Re: [Solved] Help - stuck at boot-up due to an entry in xinitrc

@Pyokagan: Thanks! It works! smile

@Bernarcher: Thanks, "icewm-session" solved my problem smile

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