As of the current version in Natty, the behavior is different. The init script has been converted to an Upstart job, and when GDM is not running, it reacts thusly:
# reload gdm reload: Unknown instance: # echo $? 1 Good enough for me. ** Changed in: gdm (Ubuntu) Status: Incomplete => Invalid -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/331443 Title: "/etc/init.d/gdm reload" fails when gdm is not running To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gdm/+bug/331443/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs