Laptop not working after installing nimdow
from GregorTacTac@lemm.ee to linux@lemmy.ml on 29 Nov 2023 19:29
https://lemm.ee/post/16427334

I have installed nimdow window manager. I have auto-login enabled. Nimdow is the default option. The only options I have at boot are (from the bootloader): default, timeout, edit, resolution, print and help (help is not working). How am I supposed to go back to GNOME or disable auto-login? I tried accessing the recovery shell, but I can’t access it by spamming escape. Someone PLEASE help. Google Bard is useless.

#linux

threaded - newest

VHS@hexbear.net on 29 Nov 2023 20:02 next collapse

If the computer boots but you can’t access a GUI, use Ctrl+Alt+F3 to open a console. From there you can use nano to edit the login manager configuration. If you had GNOME installed, your login manager is probably GDM, and its config should be at /etc/gdm/daemon.conf, according to the manual. If that is the case, it looks like you should erase the username under the entry “AutomaticLogin=”.

GregorTacTac@lemm.ee on 29 Nov 2023 20:21 collapse

Thank you! The Linux community is the best! I will not regret switching to Linux

flashgnash@lemm.ee on 30 Nov 2023 08:18 collapse

Just be ready to have to lean on the community a lot to begin with

GregorTacTac@lemm.ee on 30 Nov 2023 13:58 collapse

I don’t mind leaning on a community that helps me within 15 minutes of making a post and is just generally so helpful

Euphoma@lemmy.ml on 29 Nov 2023 20:02 next collapse

You are probably gonna want to chroot into your laptop using a livecd for linux. This will allow you to basically access your terminal without being able to login or boot, and then you can uninstall Nimdow, or turn off auto-login.

Some guides to chrooting.

superuser.com/…/whats-the-proper-way-to-prepare-c…

wiki.archlinux.org/title/Chroot

PainInTheAES@lemmy.world on 29 Nov 2023 21:00 collapse

Can’t they just do this by switching to a TTY? (Ctrl + alt + F1, F2…) Might be less work than chrooting.

Euphoma@lemmy.ml on 29 Nov 2023 21:36 collapse

Yeah. I just thought that the OP was unable to boot or something like that.

Bitrot@lemmy.sdf.org on 29 Nov 2023 20:07 next collapse

What greeter are you using? GDM? You can disable auto login from the command line.

Assuming gdm, as root edit /etc/gdm/custom.conf and set AutomaticLoginEnable=False.

CsXGF8uzUAOh6fqV@lemmy.world on 29 Nov 2023 20:20 next collapse

FYI, the options at boot have nothing to do with this. At boot you might have different options for different OS’s. When you pick linux, it will start up. Only after login will a DE/WM like Gnome/Nimdow start. If you install multiple WM’s, they will not show up in your boot menu. Some login managers allow you to switch between them at login.

radioactiveradio@lemm.ee on 30 Nov 2023 15:38 next collapse

Ctrl+alt+f3 put in your user and password and remove the window manager or install some other one until you fix it.

naeap@sopuli.xyz on 30 Nov 2023 16:05 next collapse

As long as the laptop boots, you should be able to switch to a TTY console, where you have a complete shell interface to your system after logging in (in said TTY console). So, being greeted with a login screen or something is a win here - but you’re very vague in your report.

The GUI is only just a program and has nothing to do with your boot options in BIOS or bootloader (like grub).

Using CTRL-ALT-[F1-9/0] you can switch between your virtual consoles and on only one of them your GUI is running.
You can use any other one to change anything on the system from CLI.
You should also be able to stop the current GUI/X11 Session and directly start the window manager you wish - temporarily to fix your system, if you’re not confident in the CLI.

danielfgom@lemmy.world on 30 Nov 2023 17:24 collapse

If you’re data is backed up and you still have a live CD just nuke your install and start over.

Be sure not to do stupid things like “auto login”. Literally the worst thing you can do on any pc.