I have an embedded Ubuntu 12.04 system running with no monitor and I need to run a command in the terminal. I can connect a USB keyboard (or even a mouse, but a mouse would be difficult to use without a monitor) and log into the Ubuntu desktop. How can I bring up the terminal using only the keyboard without any visual feedback?
3 Answers
Just hit Ctrl+Alt+F1 to switch to another tty. That's probably easiest.
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2@Matt Yes. You'll probably have to log in on the other tty as well though. Mar 21, 2014 at 17:17
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Yes I realize that (mostly because I just tried it out on another Ubuntu I'm on right now).– MattMar 21, 2014 at 17:19
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I think this does not prevent GUI opening in other TTYs. I meshed up my GPU settings so do not want to start it in GUI. Does this prevent GUI opening in other TTYs? The system seems to start GUI also in other TTY simultaneously. Jan 2, 2016 at 10:28
For Unity (shipped by default since the Ubuntu12), Gnome, LXDE, Cinnamon and MATE, the Ctrl+Alt+T keyboard shortcut will work if you are already logged in.
If you are using Xfce (Xubuntu), however, it would be Super+T. (Note that Super is the Windows key)
And as far as I am aware, in KDE, while it is also Ctrl+Alt+T, for some reason, there are issues with the default shortcuts. So you have a few other options. Press Alt+F2, then type konsole
and press Enter. If you have full access to the system, and you want to set up a keyboard shortcut, right click on the Menu, find Konsole, select Advanced tab, Current shortcut key. Select a combination of your liking, though be careful with shortcuts already in use.
As per Terdon's request, this answer has been expanded to provide information about the different Ubuntu environments.
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This is a great answer and will probably come in hand, but unfortunately in this situation Oliver's answer is better.– MattMar 21, 2014 at 17:23
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If you still have access to it, ALT + F2
is essentially a one-time run dialog. It can be re-enabled in System > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts.
This used to be a standard short cut. Why Canonical removed it, I'll never know.
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1I think it stopped working due to a bug bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/metacity/+bug/1299784 - I just booted 20.04 from an ISO image and Alt+F2 worked just fine– qneillMay 14, 2020 at 22:48
ALT + F2
and typinggnome-terminal
ready.