connect to GDM login via VNC?

kushalkoolwal · 03-29-2009, 08:44 PM

I am using Debian 5.0 with GNOME.

I have installed vino package so that I can connect remotely from my Windows workstation using VNCviewer.

Everything works fine except that whenever I restart my Linux machine I have to first physically go to my Linux machine to login into GDM. Then I connect to my GNOME session normally using VNC viewer from my Windows machine.

Is there way by which I straight away connect to GDM login screen from my Windows machine so that I don't have to physically go to my Linux machine every time I restart my Linux machine.

I don't mind using some other software package (other than VNC) as long as I can connect to GDM and GNOME from my Windows machine.

Thanks

tredegar · 03-31-2009, 08:21 AM

I start a vncserver on display :1 at boot time with this line in /etc/rc.local just before the final exit 0

Code:

# Start vnc server for tred
su - tred -c "cd /home/tred/ && vncserver :1 -geometry 1024x768 -depth 24" 2>/dev/null &

exit 0

Then I can connect to it

Code:

vncviewer  hostname:1

I only need to give my vnc password.

kushalkoolwal · 03-31-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredegar

I start a vncserver on display :1 at boot time with this line in /etc/rc.local just before the final exit 0

Code:

# Start vnc server for tred
su - tred -c "cd /home/tred/ && vncserver :1 -geometry 1024x768 -depth 24" 2>/dev/null &

exit 0

Then I can connect to it

Code:

vncviewer  hostname:1

I only need to give my vnc password.

I tried what you suggested. I am able to get some kind of desktop but it is not my full GNOME desktop i.e. I don;t get my panel, menu, etc.

This is what I get:
http://blogs.koolwal.net/wp-content/...03/remote1.png

I am looking for something like Remote Desktop Server in Windows with the ability to get the GDM login screen from remote machine. Please, read my original post for the details.

Thanks

tredegar · 03-31-2009, 03:52 PM

That just looks like a terminal. So you haven't configured your vncserver to start a GUI.

My settings for this are in /home/tred/.vnc/xstartup because I am running vnc4server and xvnc4viewer

That file looks like this:

Code:

xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
startkde &

As you can see, I am running KDE, and I'm not sure what the approprate GUI startup command for you should be, maybe replace startkde & with gdm & or even startgnome & (I am guessing here) or whatever the command is for your preferred desktop.

Because I am not running gnome, you'll have to experiment (or search) a bit.

Quote:

Please, read my original post for the details.

I have already read your OP. This is the advice I am able to offer.

kushalkoolwal · 03-31-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tredegar

That just looks like a terminal. So you haven't configured your vncserver to start a GUI.

My settings for this are in /home/tred/.vnc/xstartup because I am running vnc4server and xvnc4viewer

That file looks like this:

Code:

xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
startkde &

Thank you tredegar for the clue. I think this will get me started. In GNOME to launch GDM login screen the command is:

Code:

/etc/init.d/gdm start

Not sure what is the command to launch gnome session.

Just out of curiosity, does giving "startkde &" command launches the KDE login screen for you?

tredegar · 04-01-2009, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Not sure what is the command to launch gnome session.

A quick search shows it's likely to be gnome-session and you'll need the trailing & in that script

Quote:

Just out of curiosity, does giving "startkde &" command launches the KDE login screen for you?

No, it launches KDE with no need for a KDE login (except, as I said, I do need to supply the vnc password).
I think you need to experiment: try gnome-session & and /etc/init.d/gdm start & and see what happens.