How to run in 'console only' mode

[DavidA]

Hi

I am running a Centos 5.5 VM on Windows 7 host. I want to provide just a console interface, as a full Gnome desktop is unnecessary.

I have tried changing the runlevel to 3 at boot time (hit e while booting and append <space>3 to boot line).

This does provide a console interface but I have two issues with it:

1) Guest additions seems not to be working - the console window captures the mouse and won't release it unless I hit right-ctrl
2) The console window does not resize with the VBox window.

In my previous thread on this subject (in Windows hosts), Sasquatch suggested:

Or install it with Text Mode as option. That way, no X server will be installed. If they want a higher resolution terminal, then either use SSH and putty from the Host ...

Using Putty in the Windows host, how would I connect to the VM, i.e. what would the host name be?

... or install X with xterm with a basic window manager that allows window resizing. You don't even need a login manager or display manager, they'll just run startx which should then give them only an xterm window.

Sorry, this is a bit fast for me. Is this idea to run an X server on Windows? Is xterm running on Windows or Linux?

David

[frank]

The console window will never resize, that works only for X11 modes. So if you really need to resize your guest window then do it like Sasquatch suggested, install a light-weight X11 without GNOME and start an X session with a maximized xterm in it. That's the only way I see.

[fixedwheel]

anyway...

Using Putty in the Windows host, how would I connect to the VM, i.e. what would the host name be?

what's the use of a console-only guest that you don't know how to connect from your host or some other "desktop" machine?


edit thinks you should have a look into the Howto&Tutorial section, e.g. "Networking Tutorial", or read the VBox manual how to set up bridged networking if you want the guest act as a server to be reached from outside your host...

BTW when using putty as a console replacement, have a look at winscp for doing file edit, up- and downloads...