lost the command line

[coffeecat]

OK - a couple more thoughts/ideas.

Set the virtual machine to boot from an Ubuntu live ISO. Once you're in the live desktop, you can mount the virtual HD in the usual way from the Places menu. Then you could either:

Edit whatever system files you need to edit to stop gdm launching so that next time you boot you get the CLI.

OR..

Chroot into the virtual HD install. By doing that you'll have a root terminal in the HD environment and you can continue with apt-getting whatever you need.

Post back if you need help with chrooting.

Edit: OK, I see that SHIFT worked eventually. But just for fun, why not try one of the above, even as a tryout to see how it works.

Good luck!

[sikander3786]

For the host, you can add Option "DontVTSwitch" "true" in xorg.conf. Lucid doesn't use xorg.conf so you'll have to create a blank file with proper options.

Might be coffeecat can enlighten better on this.

[coffeecat]

Might be coffeecat can enlighten better on this.

No, that one's new to me so thanks for posting it.