Hello All,

This seems to be a topic that appears often on the VPS forum, so I thought I would get around to posting a simple instruction set for getting a GUI (GNOME or KDE) working on your VPS.

These instructions are aimed towards the Fedora distribution, but should work fine with CentOS or any other Linux distro (except maybe RHEL, which has some extra steps):

Firstly, make sure that you have YUM installed, if not, you have to go find the RPM for YUM via google or rpmfind.net, and do an "rpm -Uvh <file.rpm>" once you get it. YUM works off python, so it's not a binary just a bunch of scripts (so arch. doesnt matter).

Now that YUM and its required libraries are installed (python, sqlite, etc) execute as root on your VPS command line:

"yum -y groupinstall kde" for KDE or "yum -y groupinstall gnome" for GNOME.

and then:

"yum -y install vnc vnc-server firefox x11-xorg" to install the remaining neccessary applications (VNC, FireFox, X11 libraries, etc).

If your on OpenVZ you might have to: "yum -y remove dummy-selinux-vz" or "yum -y remove vzdummyfc4" first. Oh, also make sure that you have "gpgcheck" disabled in /etc/yum.repos.d/fedora.repo, otherwise the KDE installation will fail. KDE is by far the easiest to install, but if you want GNOME you'll have to do some other advanced tricks after the "yum -y groupinstall gnome" step.

Start up VNC server like so: vncserver

This will ask you for a password, and then create your ~/.vnc directory (if running as root, it will be in /.vnc or /root/.vnc or /home/root/.vnc). It is advisable to start up VNC/your GUI as a non-root user, but hey it's your VPS :).
Running 'vncserver' will also start up VNC Server and create some temp sockets.

Now, you'll see VNC server is running by executing: "ps -ef |grep vncserver" -- good. Now kill the VNC process like so: "pkill -9 vnc" and then delete the temp sockets by: "rm -rf /tmp/.X1*" -- be careful when running rm -rf as root, you could have a typo and do rm -rf / by accident and destroy your VPS!

At this point you have to go into the /.vnc directory, edit the xstartup file and delete the last line (usually has twm & or something), and replace it with: "startkde &" (without the quotes) -- this tells VNC to startup KDE instead of the default window manager, twm (or whatever the last line was).

Your pretty much done at this point, go ahead and execute the command 'vncserver' again, and VNC will startup, using the password specified earlier and create a default VNC instance on VNC port 1.

Give it a few minutes, depending on your VPS specs, to let KDE start up for the first time. Start up your RealVNC client on your PC, and put in <youripaddress>:1, and it should ask for your password that you put in earlier. If you dont see the KDE desktop, check your xstartup file again in /.vnc and make sure the last line is 'startkde &'.

You can automate the entire process just by stringing along all of the commands in a simple script. This should get you up and running with a nice GUI for your Linux VPS. Keep in mind you need at least 256 MB of guaranteed RAM, do not rely on your "burstable" rate because having a GUI running WILL cause processes/services inside your VPS to be killed because of a lack of memory. If your running a control panel such as cPanel or Plesk on the same VPS, make sure you have at least 512 MB of guaranteed RAM.

If anyone wants to add to the instruction set or has some extra tips or tricks for getting a GUI working properly on a VPS, please share! :)

-Sean

Hi i tried it and i got this error

Sun Mar 18 22:10:41 2007
vncext: VNC extension running!
vncext: Listening for VNC connections on port 5901
vncext: Listening for HTTP connections on port 5801
vncext: created VNC server for screen 0
error opening security policy file /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/xserver/SecurityPolicy
Could not init font path element /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/misc/, removing from list!
Could not init font path element /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/TTF/, removing from list!
Could not init font path element /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/Type1/, removing from list!
Could not init font path element /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/CID/, removing from list!
Could not init font path element /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/75dpi/, removing from list!
Could not init font path element /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/100dpi/, removing from list!
Fatal server error:
could not open default font 'fixed'
/root/.vnc/xstartup: line 9: xsetroot: command not found
/root/.vnc/xstartup: line 11: xterm: command not found
/root/.vnc/xstartup: line 12: startkde: command not found
vncconfig: unable to open display "server.name.com:1"


this error was found on the error log.

I was reading up online and i dont think its possible because they said it can only be done if the box is right infront of you?

i dont know if this could work i will love my vps even more lol

think you can help me out?

thanks for the info too

Thanks for posting this. I had been wondering about this when I signed up for a VPS. I will give this a try and post my success.

I followed the instructions for a dedicated server, worked fine without any error, i started VNC and i had a green screen just with the
#root

command just like a normal SSH, so i followed the steps and edited the xstartup file with the instructions, now all i see when logged in is a black screen and nothing more, and the mouse is a x.

Also how so i stop the vncserver?

Use something similar to " vncserver -kill :1 " which will display 1. Change :1 as appropiate

i can't seem to find the xstartup file anywhere (i'm running deb), and it seems to start fine

debian3164m:~/.vnc# vncserver

New 'X' desktop is debian3164m:1

Starting applications specified in /etc/X11/Xsession
Log file is /root/.vnc/debian3164m:1.log

but the log file is empty, and i can't connect - is it because of the hostname?

edit: when i run ps -ef |grep vncserver it comes up with
debian3164m:~# ps -ef |grep vncserver
root 26457 24520 0 12:43 pts/3 00:00:00 grep vncserver
debian3164m:~#

does that mean it's not even starting up properly? o.0

hi,
ok so it worked on CentOS 4.4 but i need it for Fedora Core 6 x86_64.
so trying in fedora after i type:
yum -y groupinstall "KDE (K Desktop Environment)"
after a few minutes of yum processing, i get this error:
--> Running transaction check
--> Processing Dependency: libhpip.so.0()(64bit) for package: libsane-hpaio
--> Processing Dependency: libpython2.4.so.1.0 for package: kdeutils
--> Restarting Dependency Resolution with new changes.
--> Populating transaction set with selected packages. Please wait.
---> Package hpijs.x86_64 1:1.7.2-3.fc6 set to be updated
--> Running transaction check
--> Processing Dependency: libpython2.4.so.1.0 for package: kdeutils
--> Finished Dependency Resolution
Error: Missing Dependency: libpython2.4.so.1.0 is needed by package kdeutilssome help please...

hi,
ok so it worked on CentOS 4.4 but i need it for Fedora Core 6 x86_64.
so trying in fedora after i type:
yum -y groupinstall "KDE (K Desktop Environment)"
after a few minutes of yum processing, i get this error:
--> Running transaction check
--> Processing Dependency: libhpip.so.0()(64bit) for package: libsane-hpaio
--> Processing Dependency: libpython2.4.so.1.0 for package: kdeutils
--> Restarting Dependency Resolution with new changes.
--> Populating transaction set with selected packages. Please wait.
---> Package hpijs.x86_64 1:1.7.2-3.fc6 set to be updated
--> Running transaction check
--> Processing Dependency: libpython2.4.so.1.0 for package: kdeutils
--> Finished Dependency Resolution
Error: Missing Dependency: libpython2.4.so.1.0 is needed by package kdeutilssome help please...

Try running this before you run the KDE install line for yum:

'yum -y update python yum' (without the quotes ofcourse)

-Sean

hey thanks for the quick response...
i ran that line and yum updated successfully but there was no match for python.
when i type:
yum update python
i receive this error:
Loading "installonlyn" plugin
Setting up Update Process
Setting up repositories
Reading repository metadata in from local files
Could not find update match for python
No Packages marked for Update/Obsoletion

hey thanks for the quick response...
i ran that line and yum updated successfully but there was no match for python.
when i type:
yum update python
i receive this error:
Loading "installonlyn" plugin
Setting up Update Process
Setting up repositories
Reading repository metadata in from local files
Could not find update match for python
No Packages marked for Update/Obsoletion


Run # yum list |grep python and paste the results here

Run # yum list |grep python and paste the results here

here's the result:
audit-libs-python.x86_64 1.3-2.fc6 installed
dbus-python.x86_64 0.70-6 installed
gnome-python2.x86_64 2.16.2-2.fc6 installed
gnome-python2-bonobo.x86_64 2.16.2-2.fc6 installed
gnome-python2-canvas.x86_64 2.16.2-2.fc6 installed
gnome-python2-gconf.x86_64 2.16.2-2.fc6 installed
gnome-python2-gnomevfs.x86_64 2.16.2-2.fc6 installed
libselinux-python.x86_64 1.33.4-2.fc6 installed
libxml2-python.x86_64 2.6.27-1.FC6 installed
mod_python.x86_64 3.2.8-3.1 installed
notify-python.x86_64 0.1.0-3.fc6 installed
python.x86_64 2.4.4-1.fc6 installed
python-crypto.x86_64 2.0.1-4.fc6 installed
python-elementtree.x86_64 1.2.6-5 installed
python-ldap.x86_64 2.2.0-2.1 installed
python-numeric.x86_64 24.2-1.fc6 installed
python-sqlite.x86_64 1.1.7-1.2.1 installed
python-urlgrabber.noarch 2.9.9-2 installed
rpm-python.x86_64 4.4.2-32 installed
MySQL-python.x86_64 1.2.1-1 core
OpenIPMI-python.x86_64 2.0.6-5 core
apt-python.x86_64 0.5.15lorg3.2-9.fc6 extras
audit-libs-python.x86_64 1.4.2-5.fc6 updates
beecrypt-python.x86_64 4.1.2-10.1.1 core
csound-python.x86_64 5.03.0-9.fc6 extras
fontypython.noarch 0.2.0-6.fc6 extras
gamin-python.x86_64 0.1.7-8.fc6 updates
gdal-python.x86_64 1.4.0-19.fc6 extras
gnome-python2-applet.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
gnome-python2-desktop.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
gnome-python2-devel.x86_64 2.16.2-2.fc6 updates
gnome-python2-extras.x86_64 2.14.2-9.fc6 updates
gnome-python2-gda.x86_64 2.14.2-2.fc6 extras
gnome-python2-gda-devel.x86_64 2.14.2-2.fc6 extras
gnome-python2-gnomedesktop.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
gnome-python2-gnomekeyring.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
gnome-python2-gnomeprint.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
gnome-python2-gtkhtml2.x86_64 2.14.2-9.fc6 updates
gnome-python2-gtkmozembed.x86_64 2.14.2-9.fc6 updates
gnome-python2-gtksourceview.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
gnome-python2-gtkspell.x86_64 2.14.2-9.fc6 updates
gnome-python2-libegg.x86_64 2.14.2-9.fc6 updates
gnome-python2-libgtop2.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
gnome-python2-libwnck.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
gnome-python2-metacity.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
gnome-python2-nautilus-cd-burner.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
gnome-python2-rsvg.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
gnome-python2-totem.x86_64 2.16.0-1.fc6 core
graphviz-python.x86_64 2.8-5.fc6 extras
gstreamer-python.x86_64 0.10.7-2.fc6 extras
hamlib-python.x86_64 1.2.5-3.fc6 extras
ipython.noarch 0.7.2-3.fc6 extras
libbdevid-python.x86_64 5.1.19.0.3-1 updates
libbeagle-python.x86_64 0.2.13-1.fc6 updates
libieee1284-python.x86_64 0.2.9-3.2.2 core
libiptcdata-python.x86_64 1.0.1-1.fc6 extras
libopensync-plugin-python.x86_64 0.22-1.fc6 extras
libprelude-python.x86_64 0.9.13-1.fc6 extras
libpreludedb-python.x86_64 0.9.11.1-2.fc6 extras
libvirt-python.x86_64 0.2.1-2.fc6 updates
libxslt-python.x86_64 1.1.20-1.fc6 updates
nautilus-python.x86_64 0.4.3-3.fc6 extras
nautilus-python-devel.x86_64 0.4.3-3.fc6 extras
openbabel-python.x86_64 2.0.2-5.fc6 extras
opencv-python.x86_64 1.0.0-3.fc6 extras
paragui-python.x86_64 1.0.4-3.fc6 extras
postgresql-python.x86_64 8.1.8-1.fc6 updates
python-4Suite-XML.x86_64 1.0-0.5.b3 extras
python-CDDB.x86_64 1.4-1.fc6 extras
python-GeoIP.x86_64 1.2.1-5.fc6 extras
python-HTMLgen.noarch 2.2.2-8.fc6 extras
python-TestGears.noarch 0.2-3.fc6 extras
python-TurboMail.noarch 2.0.3-3.fc6 extras
python-adns.x86_64 1.1.0-4.fc6 extras
python-alsaaudio.x86_64 0.2-1.fc6 extras
python-amara.noarch 1.1.9-8.fc6 extras
python-ao.x86_64 0.82-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-basemap.x86_64 0.9.4-2.fc6 extras
python-basemap-data.noarch 0.9-1.fc6 extras
python-bibtex.x86_64 1.2.4-1.fc6 extras
python-biopython.x86_64 1.43-4.fc6 extras
python-bsddb3.x86_64 4.4.2-1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-cddb.x86_64 1.4-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-celementtree.x86_64 1.0.5-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-cheetah.x86_64 2.0-0.2.rc7.fc6 extras
python-cherrypy.noarch 2.2.1-3.fc6 extras
python-cherrytemplate.noarch 1.0.0-3.fc6 extras
python-chm.x86_64 0.8.4-1.fc6 extras
python-clearsilver.x86_64 0.10.4-3.fc6 extras
python-clientform.noarch 0.2.2-6.fc6 extras
python-configobj.noarch 4.3.2-5.fc6 extras
python-cpio.noarch 0.1-2.fc6 extras
python-ctypes.x86_64 1.0.0-2.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-curl.x86_64 7.12.3-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-cvstoys.noarch 1.0.10-5.fc6 extras
python-daap.x86_64 0.7-3.fc6 extras
python-dateutil.noarch 1.1-3.fc6 extras
python-devel.i386 2.4.4-1.fc6 updates
python-devel.x86_64 2.4.4-1.fc6 updates
python-dialog.noarch 2.7-5.fc6 extras
python-dns.noarch 1.5.0-1.fc6 extras
python-docs.noarch 2.4.4-1.fc6 updates
python-docutils.noarch 0.4-3.fc6 extras
python-durus.x86_64 3.5-2.fc6 extras
python-elementtree.x86_64 1.2.6-7.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-enchant.x86_64 1.1.5-5.fc6 extras
python-exo.x86_64 0.3.2-1.fc6.1 extras
python-expect.x86_64 0.99999b-2.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-eyed3.noarch 0.6.12-1.fc6 extras
python-feedparser.noarch 4.1-1.fc6 extras
python-flac.x86_64 0.0.3-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-formencode.noarch 0.5.1-3.fc6 extras
python-fpconst.noarch 0.7.2-3.fc6 extras
python-game.x86_64 1.7.1-0.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-game-doc.x86_64 1.7.1-0.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-geoip.x86_64 1.2.1-1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-goopy.noarch 0.1-3.fc6 extras
python-gpod.x86_64 0.4.2-1.fc6 extras
python-html2text.noarch 2.26-2.fc6 extras
python-htmltmpl.noarch 1.22-7.fc6 extras
python-id3.noarch 1.2-8.fc6 extras
python-imaging.x86_64 1.1.6-1.fc6 extras
python-imaging-devel.x86_64 1.1.6-1.fc6 extras
python-inotify.x86_64 0.7.0-2.fc6 extras
python-inotify-examples.x86_64 0.7.0-2.fc6 extras
python-irclib.noarch 0.4.6-2.fc6 extras
python-json.noarch 3.4-2.fc6 extras
python-kaa-base.x86_64 0.1.3-3.fc6 extras
python-kaa-imlib2.x86_64 0.2.1-2.fc6 extras
python-kaa-metadata.x86_64 0.6.1-3.fc6 extras
python-khashmir.noarch 4.2.2-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-kid.noarch 0.9.5-1.fc6 extras
python-kiwi.noarch 1.9.14-1.fc6 extras
python-kiwi-docs.noarch 1.9.14-1.fc6 extras
python-kiwi-gazpacho.noarch 1.9.14-1.fc6 extras
python-krbV.x86_64 1.0.13-4.fc6 extras
python-lcms.x86_64 1.15-1.2.2 core
python-libacl.x86_64 0.2.1-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-libtorrent.x86_64 0.4.0-2.fc6 extras
python-lirc.x86_64 0.0.5-3.fc6 extras
python-logilab-astng.noarch 0.17.0-1.fc6 extras
python-logilab-common.noarch 0.21.2-1.fc6 extras
python-louie.noarch 1.1-1.fc6 extras
python-lxml.x86_64 1.1.2-1.fc6 extras
python-mad.x86_64 0.5.4-1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-matplotlib.x86_64 0.90.0-1.fc6 extras
python-matplotlib-tk.x86_64 0.90.0-1.fc6 extras
python-mechanize.noarch 0.1.1a-5.fc6 extras
python-metar.noarch 1.3.0-2.fc6 extras
python-ming.x86_64 0.3.0-3.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-musicbrainz2.noarch 0.4.1-1.fc6 extras
python-mutagen.noarch 1.10.1-1.fc6 extras
python-myghty.noarch 1.1-2.fc6 extras
python-nevow.noarch 0.9.18-2.fc6 extras
python-nids.x86_64 0.5-2.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-nltk.noarch 1.4.4-3.fc6 extras
python-nose.noarch 0.9.1-1.fc6 extras
python-numarray.x86_64 1.5.2-1.fc6 extras
python-obexftp.x86_64 0.22-0.1.pre4.fc6 extras
python-ogg.x86_64 1.3-3.fc6 extras
python-ogg-devel.x86_64 1.3-3.fc6 extras
python-openid.noarch 1.2.0-1.fc6 extras
python-paramiko.noarch 1.6.4-1.fc6 extras
python-paste.noarch 0.9.8.1-1.fc6 extras
python-paste-deploy.noarch 0.9.6-1.fc6 extras
python-paste-script.noarch 0.9.8-1.fc6 extras
python-pexpect.x86_64 2.0-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-planner.x86_64 0.12.1-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-protocols.x86_64 1.0-0.3.a0dev_r2082.fc extras
python-psycopg.x86_64 2.0.4-1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-psycopg2.x86_64 2.0.5.1-1.fc6 extras
python-psycopg2-doc.x86_64 2.0.5.1-1.fc6 extras
python-psycopg2-zope.x86_64 2.0.5.1-1.fc6 extras
python-pyblock.x86_64 0.24-2 core
python-pycurl.x86_64 7.15.5.1-4.fc6 extras
python-pydns.noarch 2.3.0-4.fc6 extras
python-pyrss2gen.noarch 1.0.0-2.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-pyspf.noarch 1.7-5.fc6 extras
python-quixote.x86_64 2.4-4.fc6 extras
python-reportlab.noarch 1.21.1-1.fc6 extras
python-rrdtool.x86_64 1.2.15-1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-ruledispatch.x86_64 0.5a0-0.3.svnr2115.fc6 extras
python-setuptools.noarch 0.6c5-1.fc6 extras
python-sexy.x86_64 0.1.9-2.fc6 extras
python-simplejson.noarch 1.3-4.fc6 extras
python-simpletal.noarch 4.1-4.fc6 extras
python-simpy.noarch 1.8-1.fc6 extras
python-simpy-doc.noarch 1.8-1.fc6 extras
python-smbpasswd.x86_64 1.0.1-4.fc6 extras
python-sqlalchemy.noarch 0.3.6-1.fc6 extras
python-sqlite2.x86_64 1:2.3.3-1.fc6 extras
python-sqlobject.noarch 0.7.2-1.fc6 extras
python-squale.x86_64 0.1.6-1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-tdb.x86_64 0.0.6-2.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-telepathy.noarch 0.13.3-1.fc6 extras
python-tgfastdata.noarch 0.9a6-5.fc6 extras
python-timeago.noarch 0.0-1.r11.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-tools.x86_64 2.4.4-1.fc6 updates
python-tpg.noarch 3.1.0-3.fc6 extras
python-tunepimp.x86_64 0.5.3-1.fc6 extras
python-turbocheetah.noarch 0.9.5-5.fc6 extras
python-turbojson.noarch 0.9.9-2.fc6 extras
python-turbokid.noarch 0.9.9-2.fc6 extras
python-twisted.x86_64 1.3.0-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-twisted.noarch 2.4.0-3.fc6 extras
python-twisted-conch.x86_64 0.7.0-4.fc6 extras
python-twisted-core.x86_64 2.4.0-6.fc6 extras
python-twisted-core-doc.x86_64 2.4.0-6.fc6 extras
python-twisted-core-zsh.x86_64 2.4.0-6.fc6 extras
python-twisted-docs.x86_64 1.3.0-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-twisted-lore.x86_64 0.2.0-4.fc6 extras
python-twisted-mail.x86_64 0.3.0-4.fc6 extras
python-twisted-names.x86_64 0.3.0-3.fc6 extras
python-twisted-news.x86_64 0.2.0-3.fc6 extras
python-twisted-runner.x86_64 0.2.0-4.fc6 extras
python-twisted-web.x86_64 0.6.0-4.fc6 extras
python-twisted-words.x86_64 0.4.0-3.fc6 extras
python-urljr.noarch 1.0.1-1.fc6 extras
python-urwid.noarch 0.9.6-1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-utmp.x86_64 0.7-2.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-virtinst.noarch 0.98.0-1.fc6 updates
python-vobject.noarch 0.4.4-1.fc6 extras
python-vorbis.x86_64 1.3-3.fc6 extras
python-wifi.noarch 0.3-2.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-xattr.x86_64 0.2-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-xlib.noarch 0.13-3.fc6 extras
python-xlib-doc.noarch 0.13-3.fc6 extras
python-xmms.x86_64 2.04-1.1.fc3.rf rpmforge
python-xmpp.noarch 0.4.0-1.fc6 extras
python-yadis.noarch 1.1.0-3.fc6 extras
python-zope-interface.x86_64 3.0.1-6.fc6 extras
rekall-python.x86_64 2.4.5-5.fc6 extras
rrdtool-python.x86_64 1.2.19-2.fc6 extras
syck-python.x86_64 0.55-10.fc6 extras

I'm using Fedora 5 and this tutorial did work completely...However, vncserver starts fine but I cannot connect through my client. I even put the startkde & in my xstartup file. I've followed this tutorial a couple times on CentOS and it has worked fine. When I start vncserver, there are no KDE processes. When I do startkde it keeps saying cannot contact X server. When I do startx I get:

# startx
xauth: creating new authority file /root/.serverauth.1804
xinit: No such file or directory (errno 2): no server "X" in PATH

Use the -- option, or make sure that /usr/bin is in your path and
that "X" is a program or a link to the right type of server
for your display. Possible server names include:

Xorg X.Org displays

xinit: Server error.


Any help would be appreciated, thanks!


-Caleb

That implies some of the main X server software hasn't installed. You might want to check the installed RPM's and make server VNC is installed correctly

I'm pretty sure the vncserver is installed correctly, but X is the one having issues. I did 'yum install x11-xorg' just as the howto said, so I'm not sure what else I would need to install.


Thanks for the help,
Caleb

I'm pretty sure the vncserver is installed correctly, but X is the one having issues. I did 'yum install x11-xorg' just as the howto said, so I'm not sure what else I would need to install.


Thanks for the help,
Caleb

The YUM repositories are constantly changing for different OS's, so I think the problem here is that the correct X libraries were not installed.

The resolution is simple, execute this:

bash# yum -y groupinstall "X Window System"

and then

bash# yum -y groupinstall "KDE (K Desktop Environment)"

to see a complete list of available "group" packages, do the following:

bash# yum -y grouplist

That should help.

Thanks, that fixed it and VNC works now ;)

-Caleb

After installing vnc server , I hit "vncserver" on the command line. I got the following response
==============
You will require a password to access your desktops.

Password not changed
====================

I am not sure how to proceed from here. Any advice? Thanks in advance

After installing vnc server , I hit "vncserver" on the command line. I got the following response
==============
You will require a password to access your desktops.

Password not changed
====================

I am not sure how to proceed from here. Any advice? Thanks in advance

Well at that point you should put in a password for the VNC session, and then follow the remaining steps (ie, kill VNC, modify xstartup to include KDE, and then restart VNC).

Thank you for this tut, it will work on a dedi too right? Im thinking of doing this for one of my dedis :P

I have a problem where vncserver crashes sometimes (but KDE and its application keep working perfectly).

How do I restart vncserver without restarting KDE and all KDE's applications?

Running 'vncserver' will also start up VNC Server and create some temp sockets.

Now, you'll see VNC server is running by executing: "ps -ef |grep vncserver" -- good. Now kill the VNC process like so: "pkill -9 vnc" and then delete the temp sockets by: "rm -rf /tmp/.X1*" -- be careful when running rm -rf as root, you could have a typo and do rm -rf / by accident and destroy your VPS!

It's better to start vncserver like this:

vncserver [:1]

And then end the process and delete the temp sockets like this:

vncserver -kill :1

VNCServer will complain if there is no connection, so by using "vncserver -kill" you will know whether vncserver is running, the process if it exists will be killed and the sockets will be deleted, all in one. Forcing the process kill with "pkill -9" and then manually deleting sockets is messier and unnecessary...

i get:

File "/usr/bin/yum", line 29, in ?
yummain.main(sys.argv[1:])
File "/usr/share/yum-cli/yummain.py", line 97, in main
result, resultmsgs = do()
File "/usr/share/yum-cli/cli.py", line 474, in doCommands
return self.installPkgs()
File "/usr/share/yum-cli/cli.py", line 837, in installPkgs
self.doRepoSetup()
File "/usr/share/yum-cli/cli.py", line 82, in doRepoSetup
self.doSackSetup(thisrepo=thisrepo)
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/yum/__init__.py", line 291, in doSackSetup
self.repos.populateSack(which=repos)
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/yum/repos.py", line 289, in populateSack
dobj = repo.cacheHandler.getPrimary(xml, csum)
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/yum/sqlitecache.py", line 96, in getPrimary
return self._getbase(location, checksum, 'primary')
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/yum/sqlitecache.py", line 89, in _getbase
self.updateSqliteCache(db, parser, checksum, metadatatype)
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/yum/sqlitecache.py", line 373, in updateSqliteCache
cur.execute("DELETE FROM "+table+ " where pkgKey in %s" % delpkgs)
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/sqlite/main.py", line 244, in execute
self.rs = self.con.db.execute(SQL)
_sqlite.DatabaseError: unable to open database file
[root@alojamento ~]#

Great help :)

Thanks

I've never fooled around with vnc via X11, but hopefully this will work out well!

Note: If you're running CentOS 4.4 and after running YUM (to upgrade / install everything) you can't login via ssh, then you need to navigate to your VPS home (via HyperVM) and click on the "Fix Centos4.5 Dev"

Apparently I can't edit messages:

For those that aren't too familiar with window managers, if you feel that KDE is too resource intensive, you might want to try a WM called Fluxbox (Blackbox is similar with less options, but might save you 5mb of ram). As of right now, with the normal processes running in the background, fluxbox, and xterm running - I'm using around 45mb of ram.

Concerning browsers: If I use Firefox, my ram usage raises to 125mb. I've tried Opera and it's still a memory hog, pushing me up to 180mb.

So far, 256mb is more then enough for me at the moment.

My original intent was to use VNC to manage shoutcast / icecast servers and/or stream content with the ease of a GUI. I'm limited by CentOS 4.x and not being able to upgrade glibc. If anyone has any suggestions (apart from sc_trans for shoutcast) or oddcast (xmms plugin) then please let me know!

i get:

File "/usr/bin/yum", line 29, in ?
yummain.main(sys.argv[1:])
File "/usr/share/yum-cli/yummain.py", line 97, in main
result, resultmsgs = do()
File "/usr/share/yum-cli/cli.py", line 474, in doCommands
return self.installPkgs()
File "/usr/share/yum-cli/cli.py", line 837, in installPkgs
self.doRepoSetup()
File "/usr/share/yum-cli/cli.py", line 82, in doRepoSetup
self.doSackSetup(thisrepo=thisrepo)
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/yum/__init__.py", line 291, in doSackSetup
self.repos.populateSack(which=repos)
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/yum/repos.py", line 289, in populateSack
dobj = repo.cacheHandler.getPrimary(xml, csum)
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/yum/sqlitecache.py", line 96, in getPrimary
return self._getbase(location, checksum, 'primary')
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/yum/sqlitecache.py", line 89, in _getbase
self.updateSqliteCache(db, parser, checksum, metadatatype)
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/yum/sqlitecache.py", line 373, in updateSqliteCache
cur.execute("DELETE FROM "+table+ " where pkgKey in %s" % delpkgs)
File "/usr/lib/python2.4/site-packages/sqlite/main.py", line 244, in execute
self.rs = self.con.db.execute(SQL)
_sqlite.DatabaseError: unable to open database file
[root@alojamento ~]#

Are you running cPanel? It looks like a cPanel update broke your /tmp installation.

Just do 'umount /tmp' (there wont be any output if its mounted) and try the yum commands again.

Whilst I am able to get this working fine following the tutorial by using the commands I quoted below, it is causing a problem on OpenVZ.

For the groupinstall's to work correctly one of them needs to install Udev. This breaks the VPS when using OpenVZ which means that its basically unoperable, as SSH etc doesnt work. I usually have udev, kernel etc excluded in /etc/yum.conf but removed udev so that I could do this, as a dependancy failed otherwise.

I can use makedev on the node to recreate tty and pty and SSH works fine, but those changes are lost on boot.

Has anyone else with OpenVZ experienced this problem, or what is the way to get around this?

I know I could just add the makedev commands to run at startup, but there must be a better way.

This was on CentOS 5.1 by the way, tried the CentOS 4.5 fix to recreate /dev/ entries and it does not help. Maybe it would be better doing this on CentOS 4.6?

Thanks.


The resolution is simple, execute this:

bash# yum -y groupinstall "X Window System"
and then
bash# yum -y groupinstall "KDE (K Desktop Environment)"

worked like a charm, thanks :)

Thanks Sean!

Worked first attempt on my CentOS VPS!

Start up VNC server like so: vncserver

Soon as I run that command I get "-bash: ./vncserver: cannot execute binary file"

Why is that?

OK I got it working and everything connected via RealVNC. But I just see brown screen rather than a desktop! :s

Any suggestion?

I'm using Win Xp to connect to Linux vps if that matters

How much space will this take up?

With a desktop such as KDE it will probably use around 400-500mb of space and 100mb of memory.

oh drat :crap:

Be aware of this. I followed the instructions here on a new VPS i created for testing. 24 hours passed on someone logged into the VPS as root from India.

I need some help here, what should i do?
I have this webmin crap, which i don't like, and it'd be cool to have this GUI. Is it useful to manage the databases and everything else or not?.

Anyway, i get this:

[root@onimu ~]# yum -y groupinstall gnome
Loading "installonlyn" plugin
Setting up Group Process
Setting up repositories
Setting up repositories
Reading repository metadata in from local files
Warning: Group gnome does not exist.



Thanks!

A GUI isnt a control panel to manage your services in, if that's what you are thinking. Its a graphical interface Like on Windows in comparison to CLI (Command line) that you are used to in SSH. Sorry if I miss-understood you :stickout:

If you don't like webmin have you considered commercial alternatives e.g. cPanel/LxAdmin/DirectAdmin? Personally I think Webmin is an excellent free control panel to help in administering services.

In response to your issue, try:

yum -y groupinstall "GNOME Desktop Environment"

Followed all steps and can see my desktop. However, all "text" is gone, it's all just empty boxes, as if it was Chinese or something.

Any ideas?

Followed all steps and can see my desktop. However, all "text" is gone, it's all just empty boxes, as if it was Chinese or something.

Any ideas?

Anyone? See screenshot attached.

dont forget to stay updated and secure your vnc servers....

When running
yum -y groupinstall "X Window System"

I get this error:

Running Transaction
error: install: %pre scriptlet failed (2), skipping scrollkeeper-0.3.14-3
error: install: %pre scriptlet failed (2), skipping xorg-x11-6.8.2-1.EL.33.0.2
error: install: %pre scriptlet failed (2), skipping gdm-2.6.0.5-7.rhel4.15

Installed: gdm.i386 1:2.6.0.5-7.rhel4.15 xorg-x11.i386 0:6.8.2-1.EL.33.0.2
Dependency Installed: scrollkeeper.i386 0:0.3.14-3
Complete!
[root@server ~]#


Any help?

Im getting some error like this:

"Xauth could not been found in your PATH"



HELP?

Im getting some error like this:

"Xauth could not been found in your PATH"



HELP?

hello , what steps you use when you made the install?

the easy way to do is:
for centos/fedora:

1. yum -y update
2. yum -y install gnome*
3. yum -y install vnc-server vnc nano
now use:
4. vncserver - set your VNC password the results will be:
====
xauth: creating new authority file /root/.Xauthority

New 'desktop:1 (root)' desktop is desktop:1

Creating default startup script /root/.vnc/xstartup
Starting applications specified in /root/.vnc/xstartup
Log file is /root/.vnc/desktop:1.log
=== that means the VNC is up and running on port 5901 now use:
5. killall -9 Xvnc
6. nano .vnc/xstartup
delete twm & and replace with gnome-session & , save .
7. vncserver results will be like this:
====
Warning: desktop:1 is taken because of /tmp/.X1-lock
Remove this file if there is no X server desktop:1

New 'desktop:2 (root)' desktop is desktop:2

Starting applications specified in /root/.vnc/xstartup
Log file is /root/.vnc/desktop:2.log
===== that means your vnc is up and running on port 5902 and you are ready to go now :).


this are easy steps i use them in so many virtual servers with centos fedora and always work without a problem.
or contact me and i will be more than happy to install it for you free.

I get an error on this command

yum -y install gnome*
Missing Dependency: perl-XML-Parser is needed by package intltool

My VPS is CentOS

I get an error on this command

yum -y install gnome*
Missing Dependency: perl-XML-Parser is needed by package intltool

My VPS is CentOS
Check this thread-> http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=628720

I've followed the instruction there and it says Parser is up to date

XML:Parser is up to date (2.36).

then

yum -y install gnome*

--> Processing Dependency: perl-XML-Parser for package: intltool
--> Finished Dependency Resolution
Error: Missing Dependency: perl-XML-Parser is needed by package intltool

:nuts:

Anyone? See screenshot attached.Nice lang love it :) i got same problem , i saw no one get a solution here so i got one :)

yum -y install kde*
yum -y groupinstall "KDE (K Desktop Environment)"
yum -y groupinstall "X Window System"

and the sistem will be back with ENG Lang :) easy steps but no one was willing to say them :) , hope is not to long :D

I forgot to read the bit about how much ram it would need, I think I have nearly killed my server. How do I uninstall it?

I forgot to read the bit about how much ram it would need, I think I have nearly killed my server. How do I uninstall it?

you will need 1 GB for good performance , but you can kill using killall -9 Xvnc .

and them use remove instead of install.

I wouldn't feel very comfortable installing KDE or gnome on a VPS, for your limited on system RAM and resources as it is. cpanel and virtuozzo run on less RAM then KDE does, so I think your just setting yourself up for problems if you install KDE or gnome on any VPS really.

yes I agree KDE would use a lot of the VPS resources but it doesnt do the same as cpanel and virtuozzo so the two can't really be compared.

my problem is that RealVNC does not connect.. I receive a connection refuse error.

RealVNC viewer never gives me a place to put in the password. So is there a port that needs to be openned?

Also, how is vnc made secure?

Van

A lot of people are having '"Unable to open pty" errors / ssh related problems due to udev after updating via yum or installing the X Windows group (CentOS).

Here's the fix on a fresh install:
1) Edit /etc/yum.conf and add exclude=kernel* udev* hal* at the end of the [Main] section.
2) Download the following packages:
hal-0.5.8.1-38.el5.i386.rpm
hal-cups-utils-0.6.2-5.2.el5.i386.rpm
hal-devel-0.5.8.1-38.el5.i386.rpm
3) Install the RPM's above: rpm -Uvh hal*rpm --nodeps
4) Follow through with the normal 'yum groupinstall' for X Windows / KDE and start vncserver.

You'll be up and running in no time.

Would this clash with any Panels installed?

Hardware requirements might be a problem if you're running cPanel and X. Running just the basics, minimal web activity, KDE 3.5, and Firefox - I'm using between 205-275megs of ram. I would save around 50megs if I were to use blackbox or another window manager. This is cutting it close if you're running cPanel on a vps w/ 512megs of ram. The worry is: processes terminating.

hey guys, KDE / GNOME are not the only X clients that you may use on linux..

i know for a fact that "twm" would run flawlessly on ANY hardware ( i run it at home on my old 200Mhz mmx 32ram storage box )

also, if twm is not your cup of tea and you are looking for something that is a bit more "friendly" i would recommend trying XFCE4 , both are Wonderfull for limited hardware machines.

hope this could help you !

yum groupremove "GNOME Desktop Environment"
will get rid of gnome
yum groupinstall "XFCE-4.4"
will install xfce4 for you
( this is from RHEL 5.3 distro )

I use blackbox / fluxbox from time to time. KDE and Gnome are memory hogs.

I am having a font issue when viewing it in VNC:
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7204/41611456.png

How would I fix that?

My best guess: you don't have your language set to English and likewise, don't have the proper font. There's a wizard for configuring KDE on the first run. Find the command for it (google). I believe the first question deals with language (I always see an American flag so I'm assuming it is). Or, find out how to set the def. language (sorry, don't know off hand).

This is one area, where we get different errors on different OSes and OS versions, everytime we tried to install and configure GUI.

Imageshack is not opening for me atm. Nice to have all the issues in one place. Great initiative seankoons.

A lot of people are having '"Unable to open pty" errors / ssh related problems due to udev after updating via yum or installing the X Windows group (CentOS).

Here's the fix on a fresh install:
1) Edit /etc/yum.conf and add exclude=kernel* udev* hal* at the end of the [Main] section.
2) Download the following packages:
hal-0.5.8.1-38.el5.i386.rpm
hal-cups-utils-0.6.2-5.2.el5.i386.rpm
hal-devel-0.5.8.1-38.el5.i386.rpm
3) Install the RPM's above: rpm -Uvh hal*rpm --nodeps
4) Follow through with the normal 'yum groupinstall' for X Windows / KDE and start vncserver.

You'll be up and running in no time.

This was incredibly useful information. I had the worst time trying to get my CentOS VPSs working. This provided the fix, and I have 2 of them working just great now. VERY much appreciated.

I am getting this error when system is booting :
Unable to load SELinux Policy. Machine is in enforcing mode. Halting now

And then Kernel Panic

Any help appreciated

Solved

I just disabled selinux and works perfect

Solved

I just disabled selinux and works perfect

Reinstall the SElinux packages.

Not sure if anyone mentioned this in this post, but FsckVPS offers a desktop out of the box setup. So for anyone looking to do this who doesn't yet have a VPS - that may be a good option.

Not sure if anyone mentioned this in this post, but FsckVPS offers a desktop out of the box setup. So for anyone looking to do this who doesn't yet have a VPS - that may be a good option.

Someone mentioned in another thread that their template requires 512mb of ram. I'm not sure how accurate that is.

A default install of X11 and KDE with firefox browsing (normal browsing, mind you), you'll use 256~300 tops. I've never had a problem w/ 256mb. It is nice to have a Xen VPS when doing such.

I just disabled selinux and works Fine.

Anyone? See screenshot attached.

I am having the same problem, ie Missing Font in vnc. Just the empty boxes all over and no english lang at all... Can anybody please put some light on it, how to fix this issue? I be very thankful to him/her.

I am having the same problem, ie Missing Font in vnc. Just the empty boxes all over and no english lang at all... Can anybody please put some light on it, how to fix this issue? I be very thankful to him/her.

What distro are you running? Several people have the same issue. I have suggested that you set the language in KDE. The link below will tell you how to do it. Also, you could figure out how to run the configuration wizard in KDE which will allow you to change the language as well.

http://docs.kde.org/kde3/en/kdebase/faq/configure.html#id2537826

I will give it a try again when I have more time. Very busy with other tasks at the moment.

What distro are you running? Several people have the same issue. I have suggested that you set the language in KDE. The link below will tell you how to do it. Also, you could figure out how to run the configuration wizard in KDE which will allow you to change the language as well.

http://docs.kde.org/kde3/en/kdebase/faq/configure.html#id2537826

I am using CentOS 5.2, here are the info on grouplist which has been installed

"Installed Groups:
Games and Entertainment
Graphical Internet
Graphics
KDE (K Desktop Environment)
KDE Software Development
Mail Server
Network Servers
Office/Productivity
Ruby
System Tools
Yum Utilities"


Try to install X Windows System as well but its giving me the following error

"Failed to set locale, defaulting to C
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
* base: centosl.centos.org
* updates: ftp.osuosl.org
* addons: ftp.osuosl.org
* extras: ftp.osuosl.org
Setting up Group Process
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
* base: centosl.centos.org
* updates: ftp.osuosl.org
* addons: ftp.osuosl.org
* extras: ftp.osuosl.org
Warning: Group X Windows System does not exist.
No packages in any requested group available to install or update"

Fantastic, I've been looking for soemthing like this for a while, but didn't think it was right under my nose!

I'm messing around witha couple of VMs (CentOS, Fedora and Ubuntu) and just generaly getting into Linux more.

Great stuff :D

oohh I have just managed to install X Windows System via
yum -y X*
I don't know why it was giving me an error while i was trying to intstall via yum -y groupinstall “X Window System”

M a bit new to Linux so still learning by doing different things lolz

Ah, thanks for this, was trying to install GNOME on my Debian linux install, very confusing. Will have to try!

thanks for this

i wrote an how to install VNC on Centos 5.3, you can find it here: http://www.talk.web.id/2009/08/installing-vnc-remote-desktop-on-centos-vps/