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slikrik98

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VNC Issues: Can't find .Xsession, managers

Greetings.  I'm a Linux newbie so please forgive me :)  I'm attempting to VNC from one PC (running Windows XP) to another PC running Debian linux.  I have installed VNC server on the linux machine, and it seems to load properly.  However, when I attempt to make the connection on the XP machine, I get a window that displays the following message (a graphical window, that is):

Xsession: unable to start X session --- no '/root/.xsession' file, no '/root/.Xsession' file, no session managers, no window managers, and no terminal emulators found; aborting

By default, the VNC server creates a new X session (1), and this is what I'm attempting to connect to, via:

192.168.0.2:1

I tried copying /etc/X11/Xsession to the directory indicated in the error message, and this got rid of the error message, but all I'm left with is a grey desktop screen that doesn't allow me to do anything except move the mouse around.

Any help is greatly appreciated!
Avatar of Gns
Gns

rm /root/.[xX]session
vi /root/.Xsession
i#!/bin/sh
exec /etc/X11/Xsession <the session name you want>
<ESC>
ZZ
chmod +x /root/.Xsession
Then try reconnecting.

-- Glenn
also look in your home directory (which I assume you are running as root) /root/.vnc

there should be a file in there called xstartup.  Make sure there is a line in it that says
xterm ...

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Avatar of Gns
Gns

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it sounds like you are running just X... no desktop.

here is my .vnc/xstartup file

#!/bin/sh

[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
xsetroot -solid grey
xterm -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &
twm &
for a nice windows-ish GUI,
1)type gedit in the terminal. enter the path to your vnc startup script (e.g. .vnc/xstartup)
2)change twm in the last line to Gnome-session or startkde (startkde is probably your best bet, if you aren't comfortable with terminal windows)
3)save
4)type vncserver -kill :(number of session - usually 0 or 1)
5)start the vncserver again on the linux box. when you remote this time, it will load the KDE GUI.
Hope this helps
lbarber,
     Just wanted to say that is exactly what I needed. Thanks
are earthmonkey and slikrik98 the same person?
Um.... perhaps. Admins perhaps can tell (look at reg info etc). You've reported it Josh?
Well I can see most of what they can (they would be useful along those lines) since this is the only link between the two...

But yes, I've stuck a note in CS... ;-) https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20889761/possible-dup-accounts.html
Good man.

-- Glenn
I just wanted to clear things up-- I am not the same as slikrik98, and I am curious as to what it matters. I was simply thanking the guy for his input. If you need further info about me, just email me.

Thanks
Louis Crockett
earthmonkey,

it would be relevant if you are the same person because that's against the guidelines.  No harm done though -> thanks for the input.

majorwoo
Ok, cool. No problem... I just thought I was in trouble or something!
sorry for the scare ;-)
I'm fairly certain I'm right, as are others too... But the lack of feedback/dialog makes it real hard to determine if any of what we've said actually helped.
Frustrating.

-- Glenn
maybe they are too, but you came back and...: "It is assumed that any participant not responding..."