How to start GUI from command line?

boot command-line gui

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Solution 1

If you tried the command startx, but the error command not found was returned, then to install a graphical desktop, in case it is not installed, you would type this:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

Solution 2

Try to use startx in your tty , if it does not work on one terminal try Ctrl+Alt+F1 to F6 in order to switch a new tty

Solution 3

I have had the same problem. The solution is to install X.org and the Ubuntu Desktop. Also, don't forget the build-essential packages:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

You might have to install X.org separately, but also take advantage of this command line because (for my situation) Ubuntu kept trying to use my display port.

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Sushan Ghimire

In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you. --Buddha

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

Sushan Ghimire over 1 year
I've installed Ubuntu 12.04 32-bit on my machine. But when I switch on the computer, I get command line:
```
Ubuntu 12.04 LTS COMP-1245 tty1
```
And it prompts for username and password. Once I provide my username and password, it authenticates login and then displays a link to documentation.

Now, how can I start GUI? I'm stuck at command line.
Sushan Ghimire almost 12 years

Thanks that did it. But why was it not installed while installing the OS itself?
geirha almost 12 years

@MrGhimire It should've been. Are you sure you didn't install with the minimal or server CD? You did say you used the desktop CD, but I don't see how that could've installed Ubuntu without gnome.
JVE999 about 10 years

@MrGhimire The minimal CD has a menu that asks if you'd like to install extra packages. Among these are ubuntu-desktop, as well a couple other desktops. Select it and make sure to press space on it, then enter to continue. If you just press enter, it'll skip it.
Michael almost 9 years

This brings up a background image, and if I right click I get a menu containing "New Folder" , "New Document" etc but nothing useful. I don't get any kind of usable desktop, no dock, not menu bar, nothing.
Admin about 8 years

Why is build-essential needed? It is a tool helping the compilation of programs. While it is, for a developer, useful to have installed - I don't see any compiling in the solution. Unless you want to compile ubuntu-desktop?
Suici Doga over 6 years

It's required for stuff like DKMS too
David Foerster almost 6 years

@SuiciDoga: The DKMS package already depends on the necessary build tools.
Timo over 3 years

I get a Background Image, a green bird in Lubuntu 20_04.