Run X-window Apps without GUI?

sanitynotvanity · 12-04-2007, 06:10 AM

Hi,

this may sound crazy. its just a concept that i thought might be possible, but i dont know how. Could someone clarify its potential?

I have a program that requries the X-server to run. the program is VMplayer. i want to run it, but i dont want to run gnome, or KDE, or XFCE.

is this possible?

the end result im looking for is to boot the machine straight into VMplayer. No interaction with linux OS at all.

Does this sound possible?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Andy

indienick · 12-04-2007, 09:14 AM

This can be done, perhaps not to the extent you would like it to be done, but it do-able.

Instead of using KDE, Xfce or Gnome (which are desktop environments - DE's for short), just use a minimal, MINIMAL window manager, like twm (as it comes with X). Get XDM installed (as KDM and GDM usually need KDE or Gnome installed) or some other minimalistic login/display manager, and set up a user's ~/.xinitrc file to read something like:

Code:

# .XINITRC FILE EXAMPLE
# MODIFY WITH APPROPRIATE VALUES (REFER TO MANPAGES IF NEED BE)
exec vmplayer
exec twm

sanitynotvanity · 12-07-2007, 03:07 AM

Hi indienick,

Sorry for late response, ive been trying out your suggestion.

unfortunately, im using xubuntu 7.04, so altering the start up scripts takes a little more research as the system doesnt use the familiar inittab, instead it uses upstart.

i did boot into TWM, and its perfect for what i want. now im just trying to convince xubuntu to boot without the GDM, auto login as root (perfect medium for a geeky fight - please dont anyone question me on this) and then start X imediately which will no longer boot XFCE but twm which will then imediately bring up VMplayer - X vmx.vmx which will automatically bring up my desired virtual machine.

This is gonna be sweet.

Thanks for your help!!!!

indienick · 12-07-2007, 08:52 AM

You're very welcome!

I run Debian (as per my "Distribution" tag), and since *buntu distros are all Debian-based, try hopping into a termal/console (something CLI) and, as root, run:

Code:

# dpkg-reconfigure xdm

Or you can go:

Code:

# apt-get remove gdm && apt-get install xdm

and the reconfigure script for display managers should run.

That is - of course - if you want to not use GDM, save a bit of disk space, and muck about with XDM and figuring out how to have it automatically log in for you.

However, I'm pretty sure GDM has the option (somewhere.... - I'm at work right now and don't have access to a Linux box *oh the tyrrany*) to automatically log a user on.