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58

How can I ctrl-alt-f# to get to a TTY in a QEMU session?

rated 0 times [ 58] [ 0] / answers: 1 / hits: 44993 / 1 Year ago, fri, february 24, 2023, 8:12:53

I'm doing an install via testdrive using QEMU/KVM and I would like to check the log files during the installation, however I can't figure out a way to send Ctrl-Alt-F1 and other F keys to the virtualized window (It instead goes to the TTY on the host machine).

Ctrl-Alt-1 through 4 send me to some kind of QEMU consoles (the installer is on one, then there are qemu consoles and one serial and one parallel, so I think I'm getting close.

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bunsistent

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2 Years ago

answered 1 Year ago diffeah · Accepted Answer

sendkey can be used to send keys to the virtual system that your host intercepts at low level - such as Ctrl + Alt + F*.

Use Ctrl + Alt + 2 to switch to the QEMU console.

Type sendkey ctrl-alt-f1 and press Enter.

Use Ctrl + Alt + 1 to switch back to the virtual system, which should now by at TTY1.

Once at a virtual terminal, you should be able to use the chvt command, e.g. sudo chvt 7 to go back to your X session.