Instaling desktop

[greenhorn]

Hi.

Is it possible to install the desktop feature of Debian on a system that is running only the CLI without formatting and reinstalling from scratch?

[daark.child]

Yes, just install gnome, kde or whatever GUI you want using aptitude or apt-get.

[chris-harry]

too simple... log into root... and

apt-get install kde icewm gnome gmd fluxbox

along those lines... :P (ps... you dont need to install all)...

and however, if you boot up, and GUI doesnt come up when it asks you to log in... log in and then type

startx

to start the GUI... however, this will open the default desktop manager...

[greenhorn]

thanks so much for the replies!

So lets say I want to get rid of the desktop (in case I decide I don't need/want it)

would this work?

apt-remove kde

[daark.child]

You can do

aptitude remove kde

[greenhorn]

I've got KDE installed.

Now how do I start it?

I've tried rebooting my computer, but that doesn't work.

[Dapper Dan]

I would install kdm. As root:

apt-get install kdm

When you get to first command prompt, sign in as root and run:

kdm

Look under sessions and choose KDE.

[greenhorn]

Ok, I have installed both KDE and KDM. Both installations went, as far as I know, without a hitch.

But I cannot seem to get the desktops started.

the commandes I've tried;

kde
kdm
startxkde
/etc/init.d/kde start
/etc/init.d/kde reload

Nothing has worked so far. Does anyone have any idea what I could be overlooking?

[oz]

Have you tried startkde or startx ?

[oz]

If you are using a .xinitrc file to start X, then the command is exec startkde.