Enabling virtual consoles in Ubuntu 18.04
I have used the virtual consoles (tty1-6) for decades in various Linuxes. I recently installed Ubuntu 18.04 (Bionic Beaver) on an x86-64 box. Everything is fine, except that the VCs don't work. As far as I can tell, it is by design that people are now only supposed to use the GUI (like in Windows). I would like to be able to use the VCs.
Note:
I've noticed (from ps output) that a lot of the GUI processes are running on tty1, so I assume that the GUI gets launched from there).
What I've tried:
Ctrl-Alt-F1 (or F2 or F3 or ...). Nothing happens. By "nothing happens", I mean, literally, nothing happens.
Note:
I am familiar with one system where you can switch to the virtual consoles (from the GUI), and it really does switch, but the screen stays on the GUI. You can now type and you are typing on the virtual console, but the screen makes it look like you are still on the GUI. I mention all this to say that, no, this is not the case here. You are still typing into the GUI.- (as root)
chvt 1. Nothing happens. Prompt comes right back and nothing has changed. - (as root)
chvt 2. Process hangs until you hit Ctrl/C. Weird...!
(as root)
strace chvt 2. Lots of strace output, ending with something like:
ioctl(3,VT_WAITACTIVE ...)
and then it hangs (until you hit CTRL-C).
Next, following some advice I found on this board, I tried editing the file:
/etc/systemd/logind.conf
and uncommenting the first two active lines, which are:
NAutoVTs=6
ReserveVT=6
I tried first just uncommenting the first one, then rebooted, nothing changed.
So I then uncommented the second one as well, rebooted, again, no change.
So, what to do?
What is next?
virtual virtual-console
edited Aug 30 '18 at 0:23
zx485
1,45231114
asked Aug 29 '18 at 18:46
Joe SchmoeJoe Schmoe
111
add a comment |
I have used the virtual consoles (tty1-6) for decades in various Linuxes. I recently installed Ubuntu 18.04 (Bionic Beaver) on an x86-64 box. Everything is fine, except that the VCs don't work. As far as I can tell, it is by design that people are now only supposed to use the GUI (like in Windows). I would like to be able to use the VCs.
Note:
I've noticed (from ps output) that a lot of the GUI processes are running on tty1, so I assume that the GUI gets launched from there).
What I've tried:
Ctrl-Alt-F1 (or F2 or F3 or ...). Nothing happens. By "nothing happens", I mean, literally, nothing happens.
Note:
I am familiar with one system where you can switch to the virtual consoles (from the GUI), and it really does switch, but the screen stays on the GUI. You can now type and you are typing on the virtual console, but the screen makes it look like you are still on the GUI. I mention all this to say that, no, this is not the case here. You are still typing into the GUI.- (as root)
chvt 1. Nothing happens. Prompt comes right back and nothing has changed. - (as root)
chvt 2. Process hangs until you hit Ctrl/C. Weird...!
(as root)
strace chvt 2. Lots of strace output, ending with something like:
ioctl(3,VT_WAITACTIVE ...)
and then it hangs (until you hit CTRL-C).
Next, following some advice I found on this board, I tried editing the file:
/etc/systemd/logind.conf
and uncommenting the first two active lines, which are:
NAutoVTs=6
ReserveVT=6
I tried first just uncommenting the first one, then rebooted, nothing changed.
So I then uncommented the second one as well, rebooted, again, no change.
So, what to do?
What is next?
virtual virtual-console
edited Aug 30 '18 at 0:23
zx485
1,45231114
asked Aug 29 '18 at 18:46
Joe SchmoeJoe Schmoe
111
Thank you, zx485, for editing my post. It looks much nicer now. I didn't know how to do any of those things.
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 11:39
One more piece of information regarding this. I tried (as root): open sleep 1000 and then I can see (via ps) that sleep is indeed running on tty2. But, I still can't get to it...
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 16:01
1
Ctrl+Alt+F1 does nothing on my Ubuntu 18.04.1 because the gnome session is running there. Other Ctrl+Alt+Fx shortcut work as expected (I see linux console). Previously, (Ubuntu 16.04) GUI part (Unity) used Ctrl + Alt + F7.
– jfs
Sep 16 '18 at 14:39
Are you sure those keys are mapped as Fx keys? Nowadays on laptops those usually are used to VolUp/Down, airplane mode, etc. You'll need to press the Fn (function but in other sense) key: Ctrp+Fn+Alt+F2.
– Pablo Bianchi
Jan 10 at 18:54
add a comment |
I have used the virtual consoles (tty1-6) for decades in various Linuxes. I recently installed Ubuntu 18.04 (Bionic Beaver) on an x86-64 box. Everything is fine, except that the VCs don't work. As far as I can tell, it is by design that people are now only supposed to use the GUI (like in Windows). I would like to be able to use the VCs.
Note:
I've noticed (from ps output) that a lot of the GUI processes are running on tty1, so I assume that the GUI gets launched from there).
What I've tried:
Ctrl-Alt-F1 (or F2 or F3 or ...). Nothing happens. By "nothing happens", I mean, literally, nothing happens.
Note:
I am familiar with one system where you can switch to the virtual consoles (from the GUI), and it really does switch, but the screen stays on the GUI. You can now type and you are typing on the virtual console, but the screen makes it look like you are still on the GUI. I mention all this to say that, no, this is not the case here. You are still typing into the GUI.- (as root)
chvt 1. Nothing happens. Prompt comes right back and nothing has changed. - (as root)
chvt 2. Process hangs until you hit Ctrl/C. Weird...!
(as root)
strace chvt 2. Lots of strace output, ending with something like:
ioctl(3,VT_WAITACTIVE ...)
and then it hangs (until you hit CTRL-C).
Next, following some advice I found on this board, I tried editing the file:
/etc/systemd/logind.conf
and uncommenting the first two active lines, which are:
NAutoVTs=6
ReserveVT=6
I tried first just uncommenting the first one, then rebooted, nothing changed.
So I then uncommented the second one as well, rebooted, again, no change.
So, what to do?
What is next?
virtual virtual-console
edited Aug 30 '18 at 0:23
zx485
1,45231114
asked Aug 29 '18 at 18:46
Joe SchmoeJoe Schmoe
111
I have used the virtual consoles (tty1-6) for decades in various Linuxes. I recently installed Ubuntu 18.04 (Bionic Beaver) on an x86-64 box. Everything is fine, except that the VCs don't work. As far as I can tell, it is by design that people are now only supposed to use the GUI (like in Windows). I would like to be able to use the VCs.
Note:
I've noticed (from ps output) that a lot of the GUI processes are running on tty1, so I assume that the GUI gets launched from there).
What I've tried:
Ctrl-Alt-F1 (or F2 or F3 or ...). Nothing happens. By "nothing happens", I mean, literally, nothing happens.
Note:
I am familiar with one system where you can switch to the virtual consoles (from the GUI), and it really does switch, but the screen stays on the GUI. You can now type and you are typing on the virtual console, but the screen makes it look like you are still on the GUI. I mention all this to say that, no, this is not the case here. You are still typing into the GUI.- (as root)
chvt 1. Nothing happens. Prompt comes right back and nothing has changed. - (as root)
chvt 2. Process hangs until you hit Ctrl/C. Weird...!
(as root)
strace chvt 2. Lots of strace output, ending with something like:
ioctl(3,VT_WAITACTIVE ...)
and then it hangs (until you hit CTRL-C).
Next, following some advice I found on this board, I tried editing the file:
/etc/systemd/logind.conf
and uncommenting the first two active lines, which are:
NAutoVTs=6
ReserveVT=6
I tried first just uncommenting the first one, then rebooted, nothing changed.
So I then uncommented the second one as well, rebooted, again, no change.
So, what to do?
What is next?
virtual virtual-console
virtual virtual-console
edited Aug 30 '18 at 0:23
zx485
1,45231114
asked Aug 29 '18 at 18:46
Joe SchmoeJoe Schmoe
111
edited Aug 30 '18 at 0:23
zx485
1,45231114
asked Aug 29 '18 at 18:46
Joe SchmoeJoe Schmoe
111
edited Aug 30 '18 at 0:23
zx485
1,45231114
edited Aug 30 '18 at 0:23
zx485
1,45231114
edited Aug 30 '18 at 0:23
zx485
1,45231114
1,45231114
asked Aug 29 '18 at 18:46
Joe SchmoeJoe Schmoe
111
asked Aug 29 '18 at 18:46
Joe SchmoeJoe Schmoe
111
asked Aug 29 '18 at 18:46
Joe SchmoeJoe Schmoe
111
111
Thank you, zx485, for editing my post. It looks much nicer now. I didn't know how to do any of those things.
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 11:39
One more piece of information regarding this. I tried (as root): open sleep 1000 and then I can see (via ps) that sleep is indeed running on tty2. But, I still can't get to it...
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 16:01
1
Ctrl+Alt+F1 does nothing on my Ubuntu 18.04.1 because the gnome session is running there. Other Ctrl+Alt+Fx shortcut work as expected (I see linux console). Previously, (Ubuntu 16.04) GUI part (Unity) used Ctrl + Alt + F7.
– jfs
Sep 16 '18 at 14:39
Are you sure those keys are mapped as Fx keys? Nowadays on laptops those usually are used to VolUp/Down, airplane mode, etc. You'll need to press the Fn (function but in other sense) key: Ctrp+Fn+Alt+F2.
– Pablo Bianchi
Jan 10 at 18:54
add a comment |
Thank you, zx485, for editing my post. It looks much nicer now. I didn't know how to do any of those things.
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 11:39
One more piece of information regarding this. I tried (as root): open sleep 1000 and then I can see (via ps) that sleep is indeed running on tty2. But, I still can't get to it...
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 16:01
1
Ctrl+Alt+F1 does nothing on my Ubuntu 18.04.1 because the gnome session is running there. Other Ctrl+Alt+Fx shortcut work as expected (I see linux console). Previously, (Ubuntu 16.04) GUI part (Unity) used Ctrl + Alt + F7.
– jfs
Sep 16 '18 at 14:39
Are you sure those keys are mapped as Fx keys? Nowadays on laptops those usually are used to VolUp/Down, airplane mode, etc. You'll need to press the Fn (function but in other sense) key: Ctrp+Fn+Alt+F2.
– Pablo Bianchi
Jan 10 at 18:54
Thank you, zx485, for editing my post. It looks much nicer now. I didn't know how to do any of those things.
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 11:39
Thank you, zx485, for editing my post. It looks much nicer now. I didn't know how to do any of those things.
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 11:39
One more piece of information regarding this. I tried (as root): open sleep 1000 and then I can see (via ps) that sleep is indeed running on tty2. But, I still can't get to it...
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 16:01
One more piece of information regarding this. I tried (as root): open sleep 1000 and then I can see (via ps) that sleep is indeed running on tty2. But, I still can't get to it...
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 16:01
1
1
Ctrl+Alt+F1 does nothing on my Ubuntu 18.04.1 because the gnome session is running there. Other Ctrl+Alt+Fx shortcut work as expected (I see linux console). Previously, (Ubuntu 16.04) GUI part (Unity) used Ctrl + Alt + F7.
– jfs
Sep 16 '18 at 14:39
Ctrl+Alt+F1 does nothing on my Ubuntu 18.04.1 because the gnome session is running there. Other Ctrl+Alt+Fx shortcut work as expected (I see linux console). Previously, (Ubuntu 16.04) GUI part (Unity) used Ctrl + Alt + F7.
– jfs
Sep 16 '18 at 14:39
Are you sure those keys are mapped as Fx keys? Nowadays on laptops those usually are used to VolUp/Down, airplane mode, etc. You'll need to press the Fn (function but in other sense) key: Ctrp+Fn+Alt+F2.
– Pablo Bianchi
Jan 10 at 18:54
Are you sure those keys are mapped as Fx keys? Nowadays on laptops those usually are used to VolUp/Down, airplane mode, etc. You'll need to press the Fn (function but in other sense) key: Ctrp+Fn+Alt+F2.
– Pablo Bianchi
Jan 10 at 18:54
add a comment |
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Thank you, zx485, for editing my post. It looks much nicer now. I didn't know how to do any of those things.
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 11:39
One more piece of information regarding this. I tried (as root): open sleep 1000 and then I can see (via ps) that sleep is indeed running on tty2. But, I still can't get to it...
– Joe Schmoe
Aug 30 '18 at 16:01
1
Ctrl+Alt+F1 does nothing on my Ubuntu 18.04.1 because the gnome session is running there. Other Ctrl+Alt+Fx shortcut work as expected (I see linux console). Previously, (Ubuntu 16.04) GUI part (Unity) used Ctrl + Alt + F7.
– jfs
Sep 16 '18 at 14:39
Are you sure those keys are mapped as Fx keys? Nowadays on laptops those usually are used to VolUp/Down, airplane mode, etc. You'll need to press the Fn (function but in other sense) key: Ctrp+Fn+Alt+F2.
– Pablo Bianchi
Jan 10 at 18:54