Debian 9 change default UI from built in Gnome to LXDE

k.king · 08-06-2018, 12:36 PM

sometime back I set a unit to not boot into GUI by issuing cmd
systemctl set-default multi-user.target
And I want to keep this, but occasionally I do want to use a GUI and do so by cmd startx.
But I struggle with the built in Gnome and would prefer to use LXDE.
I've installed the LXDE via apt, but I haven't found how to make it the default GUI, so that when I startx it starts LXDE.
Any pointers?
K.

mrmazda · 08-07-2018, 12:10 AM

I would expect

Code:

man update-alternatives

and /usr/share/xsessions/x-window-manager to provide the solution.

Code:

update-alternatives -get-selections

is probably showing /usr/bin/gnome currently, and needs a switch to /usr/bin/lxde. Here it shows

Code:

x-window-manager auto /opt/trinity/bin/twin

ondoho · 08-07-2018, 01:37 AM

https://wiki.debian.org/xinit?highlight=%28startx%29

k.king · 08-08-2018, 03:06 AM

in Debian 9 Stretch there is no /usr/share/xsessions/x-window-manager

/usr/share/xsessions only has .desktop files for gnome-classix, gnome, lightdm, LXDE and openbox

in Debian 9 Stretch the following
update-alternatives -get-selections
needs to be
update-alternatives --get-selections

it shows
x-session-manager auto /usr/bin/gnome-session
x-window-manager auto /usr/bin/openbox

- - -

separately I found /usr/bin/startlxde
but it responds

** Message:main.vala:102: session is LXDE
** Message:main.vala:103: DE is LXDE

(lxsession:6041): Gtk-WARNING ** cannot open display

cesarbergara · 12-14-2018, 10:14 AM

Hi. ¿Have you tried gdm3 o gdmflexiserve? It start gdm (xserver manager) and then you can select your window manager.
Have a nice day.

goumba · 12-15-2018, 04:33 PM

Quote:

And I want to keep this, but occasionally I do want to use a GUI and do so by cmd startx.

As root:

Code:

systemctl disable gdm

But I struggle with the built in Gnome and would prefer to use LXDE.

Now, when you reboot, no display manager is running

Code:

systemctl enable gdm

to re-enable it.

Create a file in $HOME, .xinitrc

Code:

exec startlxde

This will run LXDE every time you issue the startx command.

Alternatively, if you want to switch for one session only:

Code:

$ startx /usr/bin/startlxde

replace startlxde with the session you wish to use for that session. IIRC it mus be a fulll, absolute path.