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[Problem] Ubuntu 10.10 Remote Desktop Black Screen

  • 20-12-2010 03:44PM
    #1
    PDD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭


    Hi Folks,

    I am relatively new to Linux and I have just decided to upgrade my HTPC to Ubuntu 10.10. It all went fairly well apart from uber-frustrating nvidia config that isn't sorted. Right now I'm just happy it puts any reasonable output to my TV at all, I'm loosing serious faith that I can even get Ubuntu to output a proper HD signal.

    Anyway with nvidia being gay and I decided it would be easier to try stuff if I setup remote desktop access to my HTPC from my normal desktop. So set remote desktop options (did Ubuntu change this UI again for Maverick as its not the same one I have see in alot of tutorials). I have Maverick desktop too and when I connect to my HTPC via remote desktop tool (vignare I think) it just goes black, a cursor is there I think but not sure. Sometimes it even crashes the system as in will not respond and as Im a linux n00b and don't know how to show a task manager in Ubuntu I usually have to turn the machine off and back on again.

    The only suggested solution I could find was to disable the visual effects for the desktop which I have done but it didn't help. Has anyone gotten just a simple remote desktop to work over a home LAN in Ubuntu 10.10? Any help and feedback would be greatly appreciated.

    Dave


Comments

  • #2
    pickarooney
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 36,236 Mod ✭✭✭✭pickarooney


    I always use krdc which involves installing the kdebase and kdelibs packages but at least it works.


  • #3
    Jonathan
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 8,314 Mod ✭✭✭✭Jonathan


    XDMCP has been broken in GDM for quite a while now which is quite annoying. That was generally my remote desktop of choice.

    If you want a failsafe task manager, press CTRL+ATL+F[1-6] to enter a different TTY. You can then use top or preferably htop to monitor your tasks. Select your task and press F9 to kill. :)


  • #4
    PDD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,019 ✭✭✭PDD


    Hi Folks,

    Thanks for the feedback, it turned out I was able to get remote desktop up and running by simply not having a password (I know not very secure). Unfortunately it was the only way to get around that head-wrecking demand for a Keyring Login Password. I remember setting up a remote desktop on Ubuntu 9.10 and it was much simpler and straight forward, I think they might have taken a step backwards on this one.

    From a bit more googling I've concluded that remote desktop in Ubuntu is finiky at best and as a result alot of people recommend X via SSH instead as it is more secure and much more reliable and stable. All well and good but if I was setting up a remote desktop I would most likely need a VNC setup to enable me to use a java-based remote desktop client. Unless someone can suggest an alternative?

    @pickarooney - Installed it and I think it seems much smoother or refined than the other RDC. Maybe thats just because its KDE and not Gnome

    @Jonathan - Cheers for the info, that htop trick is a lifesaver :-)


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