Trying to configure graphical environment on Ubuntu 9.04 Server

rconner · 11-23-2009, 07:31 PM

I'm very new to the Linux world, so be gentle. I've been trying to configure the server to run a graphical interface. I have read numerous configuration guides and posts, but nothing seems to fix the issue. I tried to change the run levels from 2 to 5, but still no help. Can someone give some guidance?

Davno · 11-23-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rconner

I'm very new to the Linux world, so be gentle. I've been trying to configure the server to run a graphical interface. I have read numerous configuration guides and posts, but nothing seems to fix the issue. I tried to change the run levels from 2 to 5, but still no help. Can someone give some guidance?

To change runlevel permanently modify (as root) the file /etc/inittab. Look for a line like this:

Code:

id:5:initdefault:

Make a backup of your original inittab before so you can copy it back in case of problem.

linuxlover.chaitanya · 11-23-2009, 11:10 PM

No. Changing the runlevel will not help. Ubuntu server edition does not install X by default. So no matter what run level you choose it would not boot up in graphical environment until you install X server and all the related X packages.
To boot into graphical environment just install the desktop packages and you would be booting X.

Do

Quote:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

And it is done.

knudfl · 11-24-2009, 06:22 AM

@ Davno : And Debian uses runlevel 2 as default,
usually no reason to change it, and not at all an
easy thing to do.

.....

Davno · 11-24-2009, 07:29 AM

@ knudfl : What is so hard about editing a file ?
And rconner did ask how to do it:

Code:

I tried to change the run levels from 2 to 5, but still no help

As for default of each distro, i agree i don't know them all.

rconner · 11-24-2009, 08:23 AM

I just tried to install "ubuntu-desktop". It comes back telling me "Couldn't find the ubuntu-desktop package". I have a stupid question - do you need the internet access to get this "ubuntu-desktop" package? If so, that's part of the problem. We don't have internet access yet.

knudfl · 11-24-2009, 08:36 AM

@ Davno
No reason to change it means : Don't do it.
May sound like contradictions : Using run level 2
.. and is automatically taking you to the graphical
login ( e.g. gdm ) when a window manager is installed.

Don't know exactly how it works, never had reasons
for changing it.
Default : the file /etc/X11/default-display-manager
says e.g. /usr/bin/kdm . Change the line to : none
.. and the log in is CLI.
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ub...ly/087620.html

Quote:

Ubuntu uses the Debian model, and the default runlevel is 2, unless
otherwise configured - so init 3 won't help, I'm afraid, unless you
enjoy reconfiguring runlevels .

knudfl · 11-24-2009, 09:30 AM

@ rconner : Ubuntu 9.04.

Have you got the install DVD ? cd set ?
( It's a problem finding anything but live ones
on the internet, there should exist a 4 cd set.)
http://iso.linuxquestions.org/ubuntu/
If not already added to /etc/apt/sources.list,
please insert the DVD or cd and do the command
sudo apt-cdrom add

After that it should be possible to install
a 'Desktop Environment' = 'Gnome' with
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
.....

linuxlover.chaitanya · 11-24-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rconner

I just tried to install "ubuntu-desktop". It comes back telling me "Couldn't find the ubuntu-desktop package". I have a stupid question - do you need the internet access to get this "ubuntu-desktop" package? If so, that's part of the problem. We don't have internet access yet.

Yes, either you need an internet connection to install the packages or a cd/dvd. Apt is configured to download and install packages from internet repositories and you would need to enable your optical media repository which is disabled by default.
If you just want GUI for administering your server you can do it with webmin . No need for a complete desktop environment. Just install the X server and firefox or any web browser and webmin. It will allow you to administer your server through your web browser.