We already discussed about how to change monitor resolution in Linux. If you have chosen a resolution that is not supported by your monitor, you’re in for some graphics related trouble. The GUI tries to spawn, but the display doesn’t support it, so it re-spawns again and the cycle continues. To rectify this, you need to first switch to Single user mode.
- In Single User Mode, reboot your machine, and on the Grub screen, choose the Linux OS and hit [E].
- This will take you to the next screen that shows boot parameters, specifically three lines that control the booting of your machine.
- Move the cursor to the line containing “kernel”, and again hit [E] to edit that line.
- At the end of the line, give a space, type in “single”, and hit [Enter]. You will be taken back to the previous screen.
- Now press [B] to boot with the new parameter. The OS will boot to text mode.
- Now,follow the steps listed below:
#touch 0 >
/[$home]/.Xclients
To clear the contents of the file.
#cd /[$home]/[$user]
#cp .Xclients-default.orig
.Xclients-default.
This will restore .Xclients-default to its original settings.
#cp xorg.conf. backup xorg.conf.
This will restore Xorg to its earlier state.
After restoring all the files, switch to run level 3 (the text mode of the operating system):
#init 3 + [Enter]
Log in as root and then try “system-config-display”. Check the settings. If all is OK, boot, then switch back to the graphics mode either using the “startx” command or “init 5”. (Init 5 is the graphics mode of the Linux operating system.)
Single user mode is an important tool for trouble shooting certain problems. If problems cannot be resolved from this mode, the Rescue CD is another option. Keep single user mode in mind. it is very useful!