[Cialug] Lots 'o questions....

[Matthew Nuzum]

On Thu, Feb 5, 2009 at 4:43 PM,  <jrnosee at gmail.com> wrote:
> to know is there any way to install the standard gnome interface, but only
> have it and X running when I want it to (i.e. running headless, so I just
> want to start X/gnome and turn on a VNC server, then stop it all when I'm
> done).

You can make x not run on startup by removing gdm from runlevel 2
after installing the GNOME desktop. On my 8.10 it's

 sudo rm /etc/rc2.d/S30gdm

Just look for /etc/rc2.d/*gdm

Regarding the vnc part, I've done this numerous times but not for a
while. I think the last time was the days of Ximian desktop and
probably FC2 (maybe earlier). I'm not sure what has changed but the
trick was to edit /etc/gdm/gdm.conf and find the [server] section.
There it will bind to a display, typical :0. Comment out that line or
do whatever to make it not bind to a display.

Also you need to enable xdmcp. After doing that start up gdm (which
will also start up X).

 sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start

Nothing should appear to happen but ps will show gdm running.

You need to add a line to services to pick a port for your vnc to
listen to. Then configure a service that will listen to that port and
launch VNC when you connect to it.

Now that I'm older and wiser I would probably ensure that this is only
possible when tunneled through an SSH or stunnel connection.

If you google for gdm vnc xdmcp I think you'll find more complete and
recent instructions.

-- 
Matthew Nuzum
newz2000 on freenode, skype, linkedin, identi.ca and twitter