Systemd, problem to start an old Program on boot under Ubuntu 16.04

jumperger · 02-01-2017, 01:47 PM

Hallo,
I'm a real newbie in Linux and for some months now I'm trying to bring an old program to ubuntu 16.04.
After some problems I finaly managed to get it to run under ubuntu 16.04 LTS.
It's realy runing fine and I may start the program in the Terminal, or by doubleklicking an Autostart.sh file or by doubleclicking a desktop-icon which I have created using a .desktop file.

The only thing left, is to start the program automatically after the booting of my linux PC.
In my old system it was started by initd , I think I must do this with systemd now.
I red the man pages several tutorials, lots of threats, but I'm still stuck.

The content of the working autostart.sh is:

Code:

# bin/bash

cd /path/to/the/program
./run program -option1 -option2

The program-folder contains 3 files :
two are executable : run and program
one is phyton script called update

when I write a Unit with ExecStart=run , some update checkings are performed
when I write ExecStartPre=run and ExecStart=program , the update checks are performend but the program does not start
In systemctl status I get code=killed status=9

Do you have some tips how I can troubleshoot this?

Thank's

EDIT: do you know how I have to submit the -option1 in the Unit-file (.service) ?

Ztcoracat · 02-01-2017, 04:56 PM

Quote:

The only thing left, is to start the program automatically after the booting of my linux PC.

I'm not sure how you would configure that to start at boot time but other's here might.

--Maybe these links about systctl hall of tips and systemd will help.--

https://access.redhat.com/documentat...nit_Files.html

http://cavepopo.hd.free.fr/wordpress...ips-systemctl/

Good Luck-

toothandnail · 02-01-2017, 06:35 PM

Ubuntu (well, Xubuntu at least) has an /etc/rc.local script, which works to start things on boot. I'm not sure if any other systemd systems use it (I mainly use Arch, which doesn't), but I would use that.

Code:

#!/bin/sh -e
#
# rc.local
#
# This script is executed at the end of each multiuser runlevel.
# Make sure that the script will "exit 0" on success or any other
# value on error.
#
# In order to enable or disable this script just change the execution
# bits.
#
# By default this script does nothing.

exit 0

including your autostart.sh (with full path) should solve the problem for you without having to delve into creating systemd units.

Paul.

jumperger · 02-01-2017, 11:01 PM

Thank's for the links,
these were the pages I mainly used to dig into systemd

@ Paul
Yes my Ubuntu 16.04 has the etc/rc.local script.
so I added the line:

Code:

/root/program/scripts/autostart.sh

but it did not show my program after reboot.
Then I changed the line to :

Code:

sudo /root/program/scripts/autostart.sh

with no result

hydrurga · 02-01-2017, 11:46 PM

If startup on login will suffice: https://help.ubuntu.com/16.04/ubuntu...lications.html

jumperger · 02-02-2017, 11:34 AM

When adding a startprogramm , I'm asked for a command (german Befehl) .
Which form must this command have ?
I tried: /path/autostart.sh but it did not work.
I also tried the terminal command with full path:
/root/program/bin/run program

none worked, I'm stuck :-(

Ztcoracat · 02-02-2017, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Thank's for the links,
these were the pages I mainly used to dig into systemd

You're Welcome.

Quote:

Which form must this command have ?

I honestly don't know.
Try these articles. It looks like a start.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/start-a...y-linux-boots/
https://docs.oseems.com/general/oper...ram-on-startup

How to start a program or script at boot time
http://cosmolinux.no-ip.org/raconetlinux2/boot.html

If that doesn't work look in my LQ blog. I wrote an article for a Desktop Entry that might help.

Habitual · 02-02-2017, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumperger

when I write ExecStartPre=run and ExecStart=program , the update checks are performend but the program does not start

Undo that.

in the same directory as run and program:

Code:

./run --help

and see what it says.

Habitual · 02-02-2017, 02:21 PM

autostart with a .desktop file in a modern desktop is dead simple.
Drop one in or copy one to ~/.config/autostart/

This will autostart when the user logs in.
Starting a gui program via c-line presents some issues. (WON'T work via /etc/rc.local)
Can you elaborate on this Mystery program?

jumperger · 02-02-2017, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habitual

autostart with a .desktop file in a modern desktop is dead simple.
Drop one in or copy one to ~/.config/autostart/

This looks very easy, I copied my working .desktop in /home/myUser/.config/autostart but at reboot there was no program after boot.
Then I created the folder in /root/.config/autostart/ and copied my .desktop into this folder.
After reboot there was no start of the program.

doubleclicking the .desktop in the /.config/autostart starts my program , first a terminal window with the update checking, then a second window with the running program.
When quiting the program by F1, the program window closes first, then in the terminal window the shutfown of the program is notified and the terminal window closes.

jumperger · 02-02-2017, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habitual

Undo that.

in the same directory as run and program:

Code:

./run --help

and see what it says.

./run and. ./run --help bring the same masseges: Checking for updates ...
and at the End it says : killed

jumperger · 02-02-2017, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habitual

Can you elaborate on this Mystery program?

The program is an emulator of the software driving a pinball machine built in 1999.
The motherboards of the machines are dieing after nearly 20 years of tough labour.
10 years ago this emulator was created, but is not supported anymore.
To use the emulator on a recent motherboard I had to get it to work on a newer linux . Now with a quad core and ssd the performance of the emulator is realy good.
Only the autostart is a problem, I have to get this to work because the LinuxPC is started at PowerOn of the pinball machine and needs to go directly into the emulator.

Habitual · 02-02-2017, 07:48 PM

Sorry, I'm stumped.

Don't fret Chet, someone will be along yet.

JeremyBoden · 02-02-2017, 08:39 PM

Have you considered writing a simple BASH script in

Code:

/etc/cron.daily

(There should be a number of various scripts in there already).

They get run once just after boot time, with root authority.

At least they did before the arrival of systemd - perhaps they are still run?
I deny any knowledge of systemd.

jumperger · 02-03-2017, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyBoden

Have you considered writing a simple BASH script in

Code:

/etc/cron.daily

(There should be a number of various scripts in there already).

Here is my autostart.sh, doubleclicking this .sh launches the program, my .desktop file also points to this autostart.sh to launch the program.

Code:

#!/bin/bash
#export DISPLAY=:0.0
#xscreensaver-command -exit

cd /root/program/bin
./run program -window

Is this script what you consider beeing a "simple BASH script" ?