Minimal Mate install

Forum rules
Before you post read how to get help. Topics in this forum are automatically closed 6 months after creation.
Locked
jelabarre59
Level 2
Level 2
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2011 6:57 pm

Minimal Mate install

Post by jelabarre59 »

I like the solution Ubuntu has provided in 10.04 of having a "minimal" install. I would like to do this on one of my systems, but with Mate rather than Gnome. I've experimented by installing an UbuntuServer base install and then bringing in the Mint repo and installing the Mate-Desktop-Core. It installs the Mate packages, but I can't get the system to boot into a GUI. Startx will work, so I know that X is working

I tried installing LightDM, but once I saw the boatload of dependencies it takes along with it, I cancelled. I specifically want as little as possible, and LightDM is far too embedded into the Gnome environment. So what is the minimum configuration needed to get the system to boot directly into X? "sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target" does nothing to make this work either.
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
kukamuumuka

Re: Minimal Mate install

Post by kukamuumuka »

XDM is the best choice for minimal installations.
User avatar
Flemur
Level 20
Level 20
Posts: 10097
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:41 pm
Location: Potemkin Village

Re: Minimal Mate install

Post by Flemur »

jelabarre59 wrote: Fri May 04, 2018 2:31 pmSo what is the minimum configuration needed to get the system to boot directly into X? "sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target" does nothing to make this work either.
You don't need a session/display manager. I've done it but it didn't make any measurable difference in boot time or memory use after boot.

Remove your session manager, and edit the file:
/lib/systemd/system/getty@.service
as described here
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/ge ... al_console
https://wiki.archlinux.org/ index.php/ getty #Automatic_login_to_virtual_console

Because it didn't make any real difference**, I undid my changes - and my "save" file is the same as the original, so I can't tell you exactly what I did...

**and it was a bit goofy to switch from fluxbox, my normal desktop, to xfce; trickier than just logging out/back-in.
Please edit your original post title to include [SOLVED] if/when it is solved!
Your data and OS are backed up....right?
User avatar
Flemur
Level 20
Level 20
Posts: 10097
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:41 pm
Location: Potemkin Village

Re: Minimal Mate install

Post by Flemur »

Also - if you don't use a session manager you'll need

Code: Select all

~/.dmrc

Code: Select all

[Desktop]
Session=fluxbox
and perhaps some code in ~/.xinitrc
Please edit your original post title to include [SOLVED] if/when it is solved!
Your data and OS are backed up....right?
kukamuumuka

Re: Minimal Mate install

Post by kukamuumuka »

Flemur wrote: Sat May 05, 2018 12:42 pm Also - if you don't use a session manager you'll need

Code: Select all

~/.dmrc

Code: Select all

[Desktop]
Session=fluxbox
and perhaps some code in ~/.xinitrc
An another way is to set default environment via command line.

Code: Select all

sudo update-alternatives --config x-session-manager
User avatar
Flemur
Level 20
Level 20
Posts: 10097
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 9:41 pm
Location: Potemkin Village

Re: Minimal Mate install

Post by Flemur »

administrollaattori wrote: Sun May 06, 2018 3:16 am
Flemur wrote: Sat May 05, 2018 12:42 pm

Code: Select all

[Desktop]
Session=fluxbox
and perhaps some code in ~/.xinitrc
An another way is to set default environment via command line.

Code: Select all

sudo update-alternatives --config x-session-manager
I'm not sure that would do the same thing; my default is fluxbox (via xinit, startx or lightdm login), but update-alternative doesn't mention it:

Code: Select all

$ update-alternatives --list x-session-manager
/usr/bin/startxfce4
/usr/bin/xfce4-session
$ update-alternatives --query x-session-manager
Name: x-session-manager
Link: /usr/bin/x-session-manager
...
Best: /usr/bin/startxfce4
Value: /usr/bin/startxfce4
Alternative: /usr/bin/startxfce4
...more xfce stuff..
After I login "/usr/bin/startfluxbox" is running, but no xfce programs are.
Please edit your original post title to include [SOLVED] if/when it is solved!
Your data and OS are backed up....right?
Locked

Return to “MATE”