Can anyone explain the use of init3

[Ian Malone]

On 19 Apr 2006 15:23:18 +0200, Ingemar Nilsson <init at pdc.kth.se> wrote:
> "Chris Linton-Ford" <chris.lintonford at firebox.com> writes:
>
> > When I try to drop from runlevel 5 to 3 in FC5 by doing a 'sudo init 3', the
> > X server quits but the init process gets stuck after the following:
> >
> > INIT: Switching to runlevel: 3
> > INIT: Sending all processes the TERM signal
> > Starting readahead_early: Starting background readahead:      [ OK ]
> >
> > [ OK ]
> > Starting irqbalance:                                                  [ OK
> > ]
> >
> > Is there any way to drop to runlevel 3 without rebooting?
>
> After running init 3, try changing your virtual terminal, using CTRL-ALT-X,
> where you substitute X with one of the F-keys in the F1-F6 range,
> e.g. CTRL-ALT-F1.
>

Typically when you change run levels a new prompt doesn't appear
(don't know why), pressing return usually produces a new one.

Prefer 'telinit 3' to 'init 3', telinit is used to change run levels, and
shuts down services assoicated with the current run level.

--
imalone