LMDE [amd64 | i586] - LOGIN SCREEN (Previously: GDM)

[mcurran]

I would like to completely remove the login screen from LMDE. I'm used to running pentesting distributions like << back | track 5 r2, and others. I set out with a goal to create my own bleeding-edge pentesting distro. with all the tools I need w/ LMDE as a base, because I know all of us, including myself, hate reinstalling after every major release. So could someone please point me in the right direction on removing the login screen? This screen does not allow users with UID=0 to startx. There is a simple work-around by simply pressing Ctrl+F2, but I would just like a graphical (verbose boot up) and then be prompted with my username and login prompt, followed by a shell where I would just type "startx". Is this possible? There is no gdm package to remove, and tried looking for mdm, but there are several mdm packages, and I don't want to brick my system by removing all of those.

Also, I was planning on removing the cinnamon window manager, and replacing it with Gnome 3. So if you could point me to any posts on the cleanest way to completely remove Cinnamon, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

mcurran
IBM IntelliStation Z Pro
6223MC1 [6227-ACU]
2X's Intel Xeon [Irwindale @ 3.4GHz]