Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3: Red Hat Enterprise Linux Step By Step Guide
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# 1.9. Shutting Down your Computer

Before turning off your computer, it is important to properly shut down Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Never turn your computer off without shutting down first, as you may lose unsaved data or damage your system.

## 1.9.1. Graphical Shutdown

If you are in the graphical desktop, log out of your session as described in Section 1.8 Logging Out. From the graphical desktop logout screen shown in Figure 1-15, select Shutdown and click OK to confirm.

Some computers automatically turn the power off after shutting down Red Hat Enterprise Linux. If your computer does not, you can safely turn off the power to your computer after you see the message:

    Power down.

## 1.9.2. Virtual Console Shutdown

To shutdown your computer at a shell prompt, type the following command:

    halt

Some computers automatically turn the power off after shutting down Red Hat Enterprise Linux. If your computer does not, you can safely turn off the power to your computer after you see the message: `System halted.`

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