up vote 55 down vote favorite
23

I've installed the following version of ubuntu om my machine.

ubuntu-12.04-desktop-i386.iso

But when I switch on the computer, I get command line.

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS COMP-1245 tty1

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?

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7  
Try typing startx – Mitch♦ Jul 27 '12 at 8:38
    
I got this --bash: startx: command not found – Sushan Ghimire Jul 27 '12 at 8:41
4  
Have you tried pressing Ctrl+Alt+F7? – Peachy Jul 28 '12 at 4:46
    
@Peachy, is it possible to have more than one GUI. For example, with F7 I have my GUI and with F8, another? – Sigur Feb 4 '14 at 15:45
up vote 55 down vote accepted

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
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1  
Thanks that did it. But why was it not installed while installing the OS itself? – Sushan Ghimire Jul 27 '12 at 8:59
2  
@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. – geirha Jul 27 '12 at 10:42
    
@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. – JVE999 May 8 '14 at 2:04
    
(On my VMware player) Is said ubuntu-desktop is already the newest version. after reboot it is again opening in command line. – xameeramir Jun 18 '15 at 8:49
up vote 9 down vote

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

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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. – Michael Jun 18 '15 at 18:55
up vote 4 down vote

I have had the same problem. Solution is as the said try and install Xorg and the Ubuntu Desktop. also don't forget the build essential pkg

    $ sudo apt-get install build-essential
    $ sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

you might have to install xorg seperate but also! Take advantage of this Command Line because (for my situation) Ubuntu kept trying to use my display port. I almost feel 12.04 has more bugs then the previous releases.

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3  
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? – Bharadwaj Raju Mar 20 '16 at 17:02
    
It's required for stuff like DKMS too – Suici Doga Dec 29 '17 at 14:53

protected by Community♦ Jun 3 '13 at 16:46

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