X Marks the Spot

If you installed the X Window System (also known simply as X) at the time of your Red Hat Linux installation, you've got a pleasing, graphical environment in which to work.

If you didn't install X at that time, and you wish to use the X Window System, your best bet is to return to the CD at this time and re-install Red Hat Linux 6.1. (Sigh…)

Certainly, there are other ways of installing X, but if you're fairly new to Red Hat Linux, and if you're starting out with a brand new installation, you'll find it takes less time -- and frustration -- to simply redo the installation.

If you did install the X Window System -- but didn't choose to start the X Window System automatically, you're still ready to go.

At the shell prompt, type:

startx

and the X Window System will begin.

Please Note: You're logged into the system as the root account, also known as superuser. There's a reason the root account is known as superuser: In this account, you can make changes to just about anything. Unless you know what you're doing, you can easily harm your system by mistakenly changing settings.

Although you may be tempted to modify files or directories, you should resist making any changes until you've created a user account.

To log out of X, bring your mouse cursor to the GNOME panel, then left-click on the Main Menu Button. A menu of applications, utilities, games and other programs will pop up.

Drag your cursor to the item labeled Log out (as shown in Figure 2-5).

Tip: You can "drag" your cursor by keeping the mouse button depressed with your finger while moving the cursor to your selected item. Once the cursor is over the item on the menu, releasing the mouse button will start the program.

Now, a separate window will appear, asking you to confirm your decision to log out.

Click on Yes, and you will return to your original shell prompt.

Whenever you want to start another X session, just type startx from the prompt.

If you'd rather log out of both your X session and your account, you can choose the options at the confirmation window (the window which asks Really Log Out? when you specify that your want to log out).

Specifically, in this window, you can:

Logout -- End your X session and return you to the shell prompt. Or, if you're beginning with the graphical login screen, you'll return to that screen.
Halt -- Shut down the system by stopping all the services in your system so you can turn off your machine.
Reboot -- Shut down and restart your system.

When you select Halt or Reboot, you'll be asked to provide your password (whichever password you used to log in to the account). Just use Enter or click the OK button and your machine will shut down or reboot.

Regardless of the option you choose -- logout, halt or reboot -- you should select Save Current Setup in the logout window if you want your desktop environment to remain just as you left it in your current session.

Summary: At the prompt, type startx; to exit -- GNOME panel => Log out