Xubuntu VNC problem

MikeHunt79 · 6 Dec 2008 at 15:34

I've setup a copy of xubuntu 8.04 using this guide:

http://grumpymole.blogspot.com/2006/12/xubuntu-remote-desktop-with-vnc4server.html

Now, it worked well for a while, but I once got disconnected mid-session, and now whenever I try and reconnect I get the error:

"The server is already in use"

How do I fix this or is there a better VNC solution for xubuntu out there?

deadite66 · 7 Dec 2008 at 08:33

this is how i set mine up

this line added to /etc/rc.local

Code:

su - username -c '/usr/bin/vncserver -depth 16 -geometery 1024x768 :1'

change username to your username.
it does mean it's running all the time.

leezer3 · 7 Dec 2008 at 19:10

Have you tried rebooting the machine- This is 100% design behaviour

NOTE: The session created does not end if you terminate the connection. It persists until you actually log out. This is useful if you are on a connection that drops out or if you login to start a job and need to disconnect without killing the job.

Otherwise, if you've got ssh access you could restart the XVNC service like this:

sudo /etc/init.d/xinetd stop
sudo killall Xvnc
sudo /etc/init.d/xinetd start

Cheers

-Leezer-

MikeHunt79 · 7 Dec 2008 at 19:49

leezer3 said:
Otherwise, if you've got ssh access you could restart the XVNC service like this:

Nice, I'll give this a go.

The machine it 10 miles away, so it's a PITA to have to drive somewhere just to reboot a machine...

deadite66 · 7 Dec 2008 at 20:15

use RSA keys or use a non-standard port if using ssh imo.

leezer3 · 7 Dec 2008 at 20:31

MikeHunt79 said:
Nice, I'll give this a go. The machine it 10 miles away, so it's a PITA to have to drive somewhere just to reboot a machine...

Remote reboot

Obviously, logging out/ in again would also produce the desired results, but I can't think of a way to do that without SSH, & if you're going in that way its easier to simply restart the XVNC service.

Cheers

-Leezer-

MikeHunt79 · 9 Dec 2008 at 19:10

SSH worked a treat in the end, just "sudo reboot" once logged in.

I'm now going to made so VNC is done over SSH for a little extra security...

Is it better to do SSH over another port instead of 22 for added security also?

Rangler · 10 Dec 2008 at 19:57

Google FreeNX and take a look at that, its X11 over SSH and it rocks, been using it here for ages now, had to iron out a few minor niggles but its great.

ZLIB compression and better speed than vnc, take a gander you wont regret it

MikeHunt79 · 10 Dec 2008 at 20:01

Rangler said:
Google FreeNX and take a look at that, its X11 over SSH and it rocks, been using it here for ages now, had to iron out a few minor niggles but its great.

ZLIB compression and better speed than vnc, take a gander you wont regret it

Ok, thanks... I'm still getting to grips with Linux but I must admit I was find X11 a lot slower than XP's RDP thingy...

Rangler · 10 Dec 2008 at 20:04

You only need to add the sources to apt-get, update sources then apt-get install freenx

Install client on your XP box and enjoy, obviously theres a lot more to it but you get the jist.

I tunnel mine through my squid proxy even on a slow connection from work browsing the net using a remote x11 is fast and mouse scrolling is smooth.

MikeHunt79 · 10 Dec 2008 at 22:43

Rangler said:
You only need to add the sources to apt-get

Quick question, do I add the sources under "Third Party Software"?

EDIT: Ignore, I found a nice little tutorial, I may as well post it in case anyone gets stuck like I did...

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=97277&highlight=freenx

EDIT2: This one is better as it's for hardy:

http://www.drtek.ca/freenx-server-ubuntu-hardy