I'm using Debian Buster and it starts in text mode so that for me to run the graphical interface I always have to run # startx on the command line. How do I start it directly in graphical mode?
I saw in other questions that you have to edit the /etc/inittab file and change the run level to start in graphical mode, but apparently there is no such file or at least I didn't find it.
Can you help me?
Please execute tasksel and select one of the several DM (display managers).
The job of an DM is to give a graphical screen to log in users, and, naturally, start X for that (already identified) user. Example for a Gnome Debian system.
To install a DM, debian supply a very simple (but critical) command line tool:
tasksel If you select a version in the given list of Desktop Managers (not the same as a display manager, even if the same first two letters), the corresponding DM will be installed.
After you get several Desktop Managers installed, it could be that you want to select a diferent Display Manager even keeping the same Desktop Manager in use, because the log in screen is better for some reason. To change the default Display-Manager, execute:
dpkg-reconfigure gdm3 for the present display-manager in use.
You need to install your display manager. There are many options and you may want to try a couple before settling on one. lightdm is quite popular, however because I usually use a Gnome desktop I'll suggest gdm3. These instructions remain the same for any of the display managers though.
sudo apt-get install gdm3 You can then set the default display manager by editing /etc/X11/default-display-manager
sudo nano /etc/X11/default-display-manager If it doesn't show the single line listed below, manually enter it.
/usr/sbin/gdm3
Now reboot your machine
sudo systemctl reboot 