single user mode

[Brian Wootton]

Before I tear my remaining hair(s) out, does anybody know how to get
kubuntu 10.04 LTS into single user mode?
   telinit 1 don't work, init 1 don't work and I've pretty well pushed the
shift keys out the bottom of the keyboard during a reboot, that don't work.
  Googling for 'single user mode' and 'telinit 1' tells me that others have
experienced this problem but none of their solutions work for me.
  Any pointers appreciated ta.
brian