Headless (no monitor) NAS

[DiSTuRBeD]

I'd like to create my NAS with Linux Mint...

Problem I'm facing:

MDM login screen requires X
X requires a monitor

installing tightvncserver didn't help

I don't want to plugin a monitor each time I have to boot my NAS.
My nas is a homemade server.

All information is welcome.

Still noob, so couldn't make the Xorg.conf file (how do you boot in recovery mode?)

Tnx,
DiS

[DavePlummer]

I'm not aware of an easy way to install a command line only version of Linux Mint. Mint 14 is based on Ubuntu 12.10, so I downloaded Ubuntu 12.10 server edition, and put it on a USB flash drive using unetbootin. Then I plugged in a keyboard and monitor temporarily, booted the NAS machine from the USB flash drive, and installed Ubuntu server on the NAS machine, including the OpenSSH server, and Midnight Commander file manager. I manage the NAS via ssh and Nemo file manager (SSH connection).

[DrHu]

You could connect via ssh to the installed Mint
--possibly you can also remove the Xserver, as yo only intend it to be a terminal operated system: otherwise you do need an Xserver to get a desktop (host:remote connection)
http://askubuntu.com/questions/157014/h ... ess-system

And on Gnome..headless..
http://help.tier3.com/entries/20646106- ... ver-deskto
http://burk.crabula.com/index.php?title ... rver_Guide

http://www.scotttyee.com/blog/2009/12/0 ... -with-vnc/
--this might be the most useful link, that I can see..
Basically I would peruse the info, and decide on a plan of attack to get the setup you need..
--not having bothered doing that process, I can't help any further
Looks like you can install normally, and then edit the login manager file to eliminate the GUI login
--all that would exist is just extra X-Server files + desktop (Gnome data), which as you connect remotely (terminal) you could remove as much as you wished

[DiSTuRBeD]

It's not that I want a command line only terminal, (I've installed Ubuntu Server on it before).

I just want a Linux Mint (with desktop) that can boot without having to be connected to a monitor...

Seems like I ruined my grub now with "nomodeset xforcevesa"

Since I find Mint the easiest one to use, this ... really bugs me, even so hard that I'm actually considering to install windows on it...

The server must be a desktop (to play music and movies) but also a NAS (Samba, iTunes Server, ...)

The reason why I don't want a monitor on it constantly is because the monitor is being shared with a playstation 3 (yes I could play the music through my ps3 dlna, but that would mean 2 machines running instead of 1)

[DavePlummer]

I just disconnected the keyboard and monitor from my Linux Mint 14 desktop, and started the machine. I logged into it via ssh from a laptop, and could see that it booted successfully and mdm, the display manager, was running, waiting for someone to log in. Linux Mint boots just fine without a monitor. Installing and setting up a vnc server should accomplish your goal. I've found no comprehensive documentation on setting up vnc server on Linux Mint, but the Arch Linux forum and Ubuntu Community documentation both have extensive articles on the subject. They might provide some insight into why your attempt to use tightvncserver didn't work.

[DavePlummer]

I just went a little further, and installed tightvncserver on my desktop and xtightvncviewer on my laptop. That combination didn't work for me out of the box, either. I recommend trying other vnc servers and clients.

[usbtux]

On your remote computer (server/nas) sudo apt-get install x11vnc see http://usbtux.hostzi.com/vnc

Set up a static network ip http://usbtux.hostzi.com/static_ip_address

On your local PC install ssvnc connect to the static ip do not use ssl - set it as none

If necessary under options> advanced> use x11 cursor if you cant see the cursor on the remote machine

[DiSTuRBeD]

I just disconnected the keyboard and monitor from my Linux Mint 14 desktop, and started the machine. I logged into it via ssh from a laptop, and could see that it booted successfully and mdm, the display manager, was running, waiting for someone to log in. Linux Mint boots just fine without a monitor. Installing and setting up a vnc server should accomplish your goal. I've found no comprehensive documentation on setting up vnc server on Linux Mint, but the Arch Linux forum and Ubuntu Community documentation both have extensive articles on the subject. They might provide some insight into why your attempt to use tightvncserver didn't work.

Which version do you have? My machine (cinnamon) latest mint version, does not go past boot.
In the meantime I've tried ubuntu server, but getting tightvnc to start up at boot isn't as easy as it seems, and support of ubuntu is also dreadfull...

I'm about 5 minutes away of installing windows on it... although I like Mint Linux very much as a desktop.

I'll reïnstall mint linux and check if mdm is running when there's no monitor attached.

I believe i got the same error as this one: http://i50.tinypic.com/j73ry8.jpg

Thank you for your replies,
DiS

[DiSTuRBeD]

Ok so I re-installed mint 14 cinnamon.

When I boot with the hdmi cable disconnected, i get the error: failed to start the x-server (same as in http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=103142&f=46)
I need to choose OK there, before anything else happens.

I can't vnc to it nor ssh to it.

Grtz,
Dis