How do I get root access to my linux (Mandrake Linux 9.2 RC2) without running X-Windows? I need to install new graphic drivers and it needs to be in text mode to install. Would anyone help a noob out with linux?

Another thing...it autologs me into GNOME 2.4 and do not have any option for user root, just gibby.

Thanks in advance.

Gibby

press ctrl-alt-f1. log in. become root. do
init 3
this will get you to runlevel 3 (no X). You can get back to the graphical login by
init 5

In most all distros you should be able to start a shell console and then use "su -" to login as root. You will need to provide root password. Then from the root console level enter "telinit 3" to switch to run level 3. That should terminate the X server and you should have only console screens available. To return to X, reboot or enter "telinit 5" for runlevel 5 mode with the X server.

Hope it helps.

ctrl-alt should be held down as you press F1.
To expand the "log in become root" part:
Log in as your normal user (gibby) and use gibby's password.
then type 'su' to enter SuperUser mode (root access with a couple safetys still in force) and put in the root password. then continue with above directions.

the first response had it right
ctrl + alt + F1 gets you to root console, then init 3 will kill your X server. Then you just cd into the dir with your drivers and sh them. to get back into X either use init 5 command or startx typically works.

ctrl + alt + F1 through F5 will take you to a tty console, you will have to login, as a user or as root, as Canon stated you should log in as a user then su to root.

Mandrake's "mandrake control center" has a config utility to change your video drivers. Click on hardware and click on "XFdrake" you can install your video drivers from there.

Also if you don't want it to "auto login" or you want to be able to select between Gnome & KDE on login you select it unter "boot" and "drakeboot" select "no I don't want to auto login" you can also select your desktop enviroment if you want auto login.

Also since we are on the subject of logging in, your display manager is selected under "hardware" and "display manager chooser" here you can select between MdkKDM, KDM, GDM, & XDM. I have found that the default, MdkKDM has problems sometimes, if you opt to not auto login your display manager will let you choose your enviroment when you login.