How to shutdown Linux

[dolemitecomputer]

I am currently using Linux Mandrake 8.0 with the Gnome window. manager. Normally when I would logout of Gnome I would have one choice to log in as (which would be my username) and to shutdown or use console mode. Since then I have setup my DSL modem through my network card. Now when I logout I get a large list of choices including root, halt, shutdown, my username etc. The problem is that the box to shutdown or use console mode is not there. I can only restart X windows. I have tried using the shutdown or halt usernames but everytime I try to "login" I get an error that the login is incorrect. The only option I have to power off the computer since the shutdown feature is not there. Any suggestions? :)

[sfa ok]

Halt is the same as shutdown in Mandrake 8. Or, in a console you can use the "halt" or "shutdown now" command.

[engjohn]

you could also type "init 0" without the quotes. <-- that is a ZERO not the letter "O"

That will stop and shutdown just about any Linux/Unix system.

here are two more tips...

While the system is starting up and you get all those messages about what modules are loading you can hit "ctrl+alt+del" and it will gracefully shut down the system.

another trick that is neat is if your desktop ever locks up you can hit "ctrl+alt+Backspace" and it will exit the desktop and take you back to the login screen.

[Thelemac]

You should also be able to press Ctrl+Alt+F* (where * is a number from 1-6) and get a console...without shutting down X. F7 is X. From console you don't need the Ctrl. Oh, and don't forget that the right Ctrl and Alt aren't mapped (at least, not in any version that I've tried) so when you try to use those and they don't work you know why. :)

[engjohn]

Ya know, I have never used the right CTRL and ALT. I always seem to use the ones on the left.

That is good to know.

[Thelemac]

I only use them when I CtrlAltDel...cause then I only have to use one hand. And I do it a lot, so...

[sfa ok]

Hmm....control-alt-+ to switch between resolutions in X, I use this more than I thought I would.

[David]

At the command line (to get to a command line to Ctl+Alt+F1 or F2...etc)

You MUST have ROOT permissions.

1) login as root

2) login as a normal user and type:

su

Then enter the root passsword


You have many ways to shut down.

a) do Ctrl+Alt+Delete for a graceful reboot
b) type:
init 0
That is - init zero
to shut down, or: init 6
To reboot.
c) type: shutdown -h now
d) type: halt
e) type: poweroff
f) type: turn this infernal machine off now! I need to sleep!

(f is only a joke, which I think you might of picked up on!)

[parkan]

I believe that in order to get the "shutdown" button back you should look for a "control center", there will be a "login settings" tab, allow local (warning:all=all, including remote terminals) users to shut down. Or you can always use something like Konsole (or switch to a non X running desktop) and type shutdown now (man shutdown to see all the options).