[SOLVED] NODM (display manager) doesn't start X in my system.

ferite · 09-19-2014, 02:48 PM

Hi.

I am seting up a kiosk system, so I followed this tutorial, where it is given the instruction for, starting from a "text only" system (I used a Lubuntu Minimal), you install xorg, and nodm to setup a kiosk.

Now, all went well with xorg. If I run:

Code:

$ startx

my ~/.xsession file get executed (I am using leafpad only as simple test):

Code:

#!/usr/bin/env bash
echo "something" > /root/someFile
leafpad

but when I boot the system, all I got is a black screen and "/root/someFile" is not even created. It is supposed that nodm should trigger an XSession, but something is happening. My /etc/default/nodm is:

Code:

NODM_ENABLED=true

NODM_USER=root

NODM_FIRST_VT='7'

NODM_XSESSION=/etc/X11/Xsession

NODM_X_OPTIONS='-nolisten tcp'

NODM_MIN_SESSION_TIME=60

I have tried with a different (non root) user too, but the result is the same.

If I run:

Code:

$ nodm

X is started and /root/someFile is created.

I hope somebody could give me some help in this regard. Thanks.

ondoho · 09-20-2014, 02:56 PM

why are you running/logging in as root?
a kiosk system is meant to disable any possibility of making changes to the system, no?
letting the user run as root kind of contradicts that purpose...

anyhow, i'd take a look at

Code:

NODM_XSESSION=/etc/X11/Xsession

i guess that's the file that gets executed, not the one in your home folder.
so either try modifying that file or change the line to

Code:

NODM_XSESSION=$HOME/.xsession

ferite · 09-27-2014, 02:26 PM

Finally I solved my problem following instructions found here

ondoho · 09-28-2014, 08:34 AM

oh, so you solved it without nodm, good!
would you care to mark it as solved and edit the thread title (because the solution does not involve nodm)?

and just out of curiosity, are you really running a kiosk system as root?

ferite · 09-28-2014, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ondoho

oh, so you solved it without nodm, good!
would you care to mark it as solved and edit the thread title (because the solution does not involve nodm)?

and just out of curiosity, are you really running a kiosk system as root?

Hi. I have already marked the thread as "SOLVED". Regarding the title, I think it still a valid title as not being able to start X with nodm, was indeed what originated the whole thread.

The system I am setting up is not exactly a Kiosk, but an embedded system, that runs a single custom application that should be capable of change system settings like DHCP, IP, Time Zone, etc.

Thanks for your interest.