I installed KDE 4.5 on Ubuntu 10.04.1. I attempted to use 'switchdesk' to go from Gnome to KDE and it failed so i 'startkde &'. KDE loaded right on top of Gnome and I could see both desktop environments simulataneously, though I could not interact with the Gnome GUI. Then it all froze, except my mouse cursor, and I did a hard reboot after no system calls responded.

Now perhaps the pertinent part of this story is that when I got back login, it was the KDE login, and it will not accept my credentials. I had Gnome set to login to the desktop automatically, and had never dealt with a login screen in this install before. I had previously on this install, used 'su', 'sudo' and 'root' successfully provided correct authorization for other administrative tasks.

I am at a loss, and appreciate all help that can be afforded.

P.S. I will readily submit this question to a more appropriate sub-forum, if needed.

Moved to Workspace.

You can try to change the login manager (Ctrl+Alt+F1 and login). I think the command is

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sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm

unless it's been changed in newer Ubuntu versions. Restart the X-server or reboot for the change to take effect.

I apologize for describing my situation better, I realize now looking back at my post that I didn't do that.

I am sitting at the login screen(not on the comp I'm typing from) and cannot get past the login, no matter if I attempt the KDE login or try the console option it gives you from the dropdown menu below the login GUI.

Also I chose kdm as my default, not gdm.

Other note - When I look at the drop down menu option for 'Switch User', it says "Unused (:0, v7)"

So you can't login if you press Ctrl+Alt+F1 either? (Ctrl+Alt+F7 to switch back.)

In your first post you wrote

I had Gnome set to login to the desktop automatically

was this with gdm or kdm? I thought it was the first, and that's why I suggested you to switch back to gdm.

I cannot login from console after pressing Ctrl+Alt+F1, it does take me to the console login, it just doesn't work.

When I installed and configured KDE, it asked what I wanted as default, and I chose kdm over gdm.

Ctrl+Alt+F7 does nothing when I press it at he kdm login screen. It does bring me back to the kdm login screen if I am at a text login.

Hm, that's strange. Have you to login using different users and root in console? Do you have an advanced password with special characters etc.? In that case you might want to try to type some of the characters when you enter your username, to ensure that it isn't a keyboard layout problem.

Otherwise I don't really know what the problem could be.

I dont think there is a password set for root in ubuntu. I always use 'sudo' or 'su', or run 'gksu xterm' from an Alt+F2 prompt if I want a terminal running exclusively root. I only have one user on this system, besides root, which I have to call each time I need it. I confirmed that the keyboard layout is as it should be by typing into the user field.

On a related note, do you know how I can boot up in text-mode without start x-server? The methods I have seen describe altering the config file for grub, or some such post-login option. I have also read to hit the 'Esc' key after BIOS hands over control to grub, but that doesn't bring up a boot menu or anything.

Thanks.

Unfortunately I'm not quite sure, you might find better answers at the Ubuntu forums unless someone else here knows. In Arch you can hit e in GRUB to bring up the boot options, but I don't know how to boot in text mode only. If the GRUB menu doesn't show up by default I think you can hold down Shift (Escape was for older versions, if I remember correctly). Do you have recovery mode in the menu?

Another option could be to use a LiveCD or something similar to reset your password.

Deadpan wrote:On a related note, do you know how I can boot up in text-mode without start x-server? The methods I have seen describe altering the config file for grub, or some such post-login option. I have also read to hit the 'Esc' key after BIOS hands over control to grub, but that doesn't bring up a boot menu or anything.

I hope I remember how Kubuntu has set up grub...in Suse (what I'm most used to), you just start typing to add options...

When you see the list of installed OS:es/kernels, make sure the correct one is high-lighted in case there are several and hit e. That should let you alter the boot-parameters. Add Init 3 at the end, and you will boot in text-only mode for that boot only.

Thank you all, holding down shift did bring up the grub menu, at which poit I chose to drop to root shell, and from there I could start gdm and it logged me in straight away.

NVM - edited for new understanding gained moments after posting

Peace.