Scheduled Maintenance: We are aware of an issue with Google, AOL, and Yahoo services as email providers which are blocking new registrations. We are trying to fix the issue and we have several internal and external support tickets in process to resolve the issue. Please see: viewtopic.php?t=158230

 

 

 

Auto login and `startx` without a display manager (systemd)

Share your HowTo, Documentation, Tips and Tricks. Not for support questions!.
Message
Author
User avatar
Head_on_a_Stick
Posts: 14114
Joined: 2014-06-01 17:46
Location: London, England
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 132 times

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager -- jes

#31 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

I agree with Gary but briefly:
lachlanp wrote:Can you suggest what I still need to change to get the auto-login
Try:

Code: Select all

# systemctl set-default multi-user.target
If there are any problems, open a new thread and link back to this one in the OP ;)
deadbang

lachlanp
Posts: 2
Joined: 2016-05-09 12:07

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager -- jes

#32 Post by lachlanp »

Thanks. I thought since the concepts of the topic were the same, then the people who previously posted probably had the required knowledge.
I have posted on the MATE/Debian forum as I am using mate Desktop.
The systemctl is already set to muti-user.target. Thanks
lachlan

milomak
Posts: 2158
Joined: 2009-06-09 22:20
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager -- jes

#33 Post by milomak »

I am finding after doing updates (using sid), that

Code: Select all

/etc/systemd/system/getty.target.wants/getty@tty1.service
reverts to default.

bear that in mind if you find it not starting x automatically after updating
Desktop: A320M-A PRO MAX, AMD Ryzen 5 3600, GALAX GeForce RTX™ 2060 Super EX (1-Click OC) - Sid, Win10, Arch Linux, Gentoo, Solus
Laptop: hp 250 G8 i3 11th Gen - Sid
Kodi: AMD Athlon 5150 APU w/Radeon HD 8400 - Sid

User avatar
Head_on_a_Stick
Posts: 14114
Joined: 2014-06-01 17:46
Location: London, England
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 132 times

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager -- jes

#34 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

milomak wrote:I am finding after doing updates (using sid), that

Code: Select all

/etc/systemd/system/getty.target.wants/getty@tty1.service
reverts to default.
OK, thanks for bringing that up.

My original method is a tad on the hacky side :)

For a more "correct" solution, create a file at /etc/systemd/system/getty@tty1.service.d/override.conf with the following content:

Code: Select all

[Service]
ExecStart=
ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty --autologin <user name> --noclear %I $TERM
This can be used instead of modifying the unit file and should survive upgrades ;)

EDIT: Note added to the end of the OP.
Last edited by Head_on_a_Stick on 2017-01-14 18:57, edited 1 time in total.
deadbang

milomak
Posts: 2158
Joined: 2009-06-09 22:20
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager -- jes

#35 Post by milomak »

happy to help.

I assume that the upgrade of one or both of the below packages will have triggered this

Code: Select all

[UPGRADE] systemd:amd64 229-5 -> 229-6
[UPGRADE] systemd-sysv:amd64 229-5 -> 229-6
I'll keep a look out when next they update

edit - that should be /sbin/agetty
Desktop: A320M-A PRO MAX, AMD Ryzen 5 3600, GALAX GeForce RTX™ 2060 Super EX (1-Click OC) - Sid, Win10, Arch Linux, Gentoo, Solus
Laptop: hp 250 G8 i3 11th Gen - Sid
Kodi: AMD Athlon 5150 APU w/Radeon HD 8400 - Sid

rayandrews
Posts: 109
Joined: 2014-01-31 21:32
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager -- jes

#36 Post by rayandrews »

Gentlemen:

Running testing, I just did a full update today (haven't done one for a while) and it busted my auto login. Until now this worked in '/lib/systemd/system/getty@.service':

Code: Select all

#ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty --noclear %I $TERM
ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty --autologin root --noclear %I $TERM

I have read and tried everything below and nothing worked. In particular:
For automatic login, edit the file at /etc/systemd/system/getty.target.wants/getty@tty1.service and changed the "ExecStart=" line in the "[Service]" section to this:
... the above file did not exist. I created it and added the stated line with no luck.

There is however a file '/lib/systemd/system/getty-static.service' which contains:

Code: Select all

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/bin/systemctl --no-block start getty@tty2.service getty@tty3.service getty@tty4.service getty@tty5.service getty@tty6.service
RemainAfterExit=true
They don't make this simple, do they?

User avatar
GarryRicketson
Posts: 5644
Joined: 2015-01-20 22:16
Location: Durango, Mexico

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager -- jes

#37 Post by GarryRicketson »

Docs, Howtos, Tips & Tricks
Share your own howto's etc. Not for support questions!
Did you notice and read, the Category /topic header, before posting ?
From:http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php? ... 62#p615329
Postby Head_on_a_Stick » 2016-05-09 13:43
I agree with Gary but briefly:
lachlanp wrote:
Can you suggest what I still need to change to get the auto-login [/qutoe]
Try:

Code: Select all

    # systemctl set-default multi-user.target
If there are any problems, open a new thread and link back to this one in the OP ;)
No big deal, but also did you actually read, carefully the entire thread,
especially the how to parts,..?
I know you said you did, but if you missed what it says, about
"Not for support questions!"
There is a pretty good chance you missed some other inportant
details, as well,....

They don't make this simple, do they?
No , they don't, it was easier on older Debian versions.
And it makes it a lot more complicated for someone
reading and trying to use the "How to" document,
when they have to try to sort through the posts, and figure
out which ones are actually good, valid code, and scripts,
and which ones are code or scripts that did not work, but
got posted here by someone that needs "support",......
Not trying to be rude, at all, and hope you and others
understand,...
None of this would have been necessary, if one just reads
things carefully,...so it just goes to show.

User avatar
Head_on_a_Stick
Posts: 14114
Joined: 2014-06-01 17:46
Location: London, England
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 132 times

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager -- jes

#38 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

rayandrews wrote:Running testing
Please read the thread title again and start your own version for testing...

:roll:
deadbang

milomak
Posts: 2158
Joined: 2009-06-09 22:20
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager -- jes

#39 Post by milomak »

rayandrews wrote:Gentlemen:

Running testing,
i run sid . and this works
Desktop: A320M-A PRO MAX, AMD Ryzen 5 3600, GALAX GeForce RTX™ 2060 Super EX (1-Click OC) - Sid, Win10, Arch Linux, Gentoo, Solus
Laptop: hp 250 G8 i3 11th Gen - Sid
Kodi: AMD Athlon 5150 APU w/Radeon HD 8400 - Sid

milomak
Posts: 2158
Joined: 2009-06-09 22:20
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager -- jes

#40 Post by milomak »

i'm not sure what is happening on this machine. but it boots into x when it's set to graphical.target

I then do as root (as i have done on another machine where it works - both sid)

Code: Select all

debian ~ # cat /etc/systemd/system/getty@tty1.service.d/override.conf
[Service]
ExecStart=
ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty --autologin mythtv --noclear %I $TERM
debian ~ #

Code: Select all

debian ~ # systemctl set-default multi-user.target
debian ~ # 
i exit from root into mythtv user

Code: Select all

$ cat ~/.profile 
[[ -z $DISPLAY && $XDG_VTNR -eq 1 ]] && exec startx /usr/bin/kodi
$
x is not starting when i reboot

------

there is no /var/log/Xorg.0.log and no xorg entries in journalctl -e

the same setup is working on one install. have i missed something?


journalctlb log
Desktop: A320M-A PRO MAX, AMD Ryzen 5 3600, GALAX GeForce RTX™ 2060 Super EX (1-Click OC) - Sid, Win10, Arch Linux, Gentoo, Solus
Laptop: hp 250 G8 i3 11th Gen - Sid
Kodi: AMD Athlon 5150 APU w/Radeon HD 8400 - Sid

User avatar
Head_on_a_Stick
Posts: 14114
Joined: 2014-06-01 17:46
Location: London, England
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 132 times

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager -- jes

#41 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

milomak wrote:it boots into x when it's set to graphical.target
Will it startx from a console log in?
deadbang

milomak
Posts: 2158
Joined: 2009-06-09 22:20
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager — jess

#42 Post by milomak »

yes startx works when it loads into console
Desktop: A320M-A PRO MAX, AMD Ryzen 5 3600, GALAX GeForce RTX™ 2060 Super EX (1-Click OC) - Sid, Win10, Arch Linux, Gentoo, Solus
Laptop: hp 250 G8 i3 11th Gen - Sid
Kodi: AMD Athlon 5150 APU w/Radeon HD 8400 - Sid

User avatar
Head_on_a_Stick
Posts: 14114
Joined: 2014-06-01 17:46
Location: London, England
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 132 times

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager — jess

#43 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

Can we see:

Code: Select all

systemctl cat getty@tty1
deadbang

milomak
Posts: 2158
Joined: 2009-06-09 22:20
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager — jess

#44 Post by milomak »

sure

Code: Select all

$ systemctl cat getty@tty1
# /lib/systemd/system/getty@.service
#  This file is part of systemd.
#
#  systemd is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
#  under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by
#  the Free Software Foundation; either version 2.1 of the License, or
#  (at your option) any later version.

[Unit]
Description=Getty on %I
Documentation=man:agetty(8) man:systemd-getty-generator(8)
Documentation=http://0pointer.de/blog/projects/serial-console.html
After=systemd-user-sessions.service plymouth-quit-wait.service
After=rc-local.service

# If additional gettys are spawned during boot then we should make
# sure that this is synchronized before getty.target, even though
# getty.target didn't actually pull it in.
Before=getty.target
IgnoreOnIsolate=yes

# IgnoreOnIsolate causes issues with sulogin, if someone isolates
# rescue.target or starts rescue.service from multi-user.target or
# graphical.target.
Conflicts=rescue.service
Before=rescue.service

# On systems without virtual consoles, don't start any getty. Note
# that serial gettys are covered by serial-getty@.service, not this
# unit.
ConditionPathExists=/dev/tty0

[Service]
# the VT is cleared by TTYVTDisallocate
ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty --noclear %I $TERM
Type=idle
Restart=always
RestartSec=0
UtmpIdentifier=%I
TTYPath=/dev/%I
TTYReset=yes
TTYVHangup=yes
TTYVTDisallocate=yes
KillMode=process
IgnoreSIGPIPE=no
SendSIGHUP=yes

# Unset locale for the console getty since the console has problems
# displaying some internationalized messages.
Environment=LANG= LANGUAGE= LC_CTYPE= LC_NUMERIC= LC_TIME= LC_COLLATE= LC_MONETARY= LC_MESSAGES= LC_PAPER= LC_NAME= LC_ADDRESS= LC_TELE

[Install]
WantedBy=getty.target
DefaultInstance=tty1

# /etc/systemd/system/getty@tty1.service.d/override.conf
[Service]
ExecStart=
ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty --autologin mythtv --noclear %I $TERM
Desktop: A320M-A PRO MAX, AMD Ryzen 5 3600, GALAX GeForce RTX™ 2060 Super EX (1-Click OC) - Sid, Win10, Arch Linux, Gentoo, Solus
Laptop: hp 250 G8 i3 11th Gen - Sid
Kodi: AMD Athlon 5150 APU w/Radeon HD 8400 - Sid

User avatar
Head_on_a_Stick
Posts: 14114
Joined: 2014-06-01 17:46
Location: London, England
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 132 times

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager — jess

#45 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

Does the autologin itself work?

Try removing the `startx` line from ~/.profile and see if it will autologin to a TTY command line.

You could also try this logic in ~/.profile instead of the line you are using now:

Code: Select all

[ "$(tty)" = "/dev/tty1" ] && exec startx /usr/bin/kodi
That doesn't rely on $XDG_VTNR or $DISPLAY.

EDIT: the Xorg logs will be found in ~/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log because the server is being run as your normal user ;)
deadbang

Peripatus
Posts: 3
Joined: 2018-11-22 12:47

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager — jess

#46 Post by Peripatus »

Head_on_a_Stick, thank you!

FWIW, I can confirm that the procedure works, without modification, for my system running BunsenLabs Helium (i.e. ~Debian Stretch). :D

Makes for a real fast boot-to-GUI -- and near-instant resume from Suspend! Ideal for an older computer mainly used as an internet tv.

No upgrade-proofness tested yet.

[NB: To anyone else who initially mistypes their username in the override.conf file (no capital letters! :roll: ), and reboots to find only a blinking cursor: don't panic; hit Ctl+Alt+F2 to open an auxiliary terminal; login with the correct username and password; optionally start the GUI by typing startx; fix the typo in the file; reboot; enjoy the smoothness.]

User avatar
Head_on_a_Stick
Posts: 14114
Joined: 2014-06-01 17:46
Location: London, England
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 132 times

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager — jess

#47 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

Peripatus wrote:I can confirm that the procedure works, without modification, for my system running BunsenLabs Helium (i.e. ~Debian Stretch). :D
BunsenWhat? :mrgreen:

But anyway, yes, I've had it working in stretch and buster as well so I've changed the OP to reflect this.
deadbang

Peripatus
Posts: 3
Joined: 2018-11-22 12:47

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager — jess

#48 Post by Peripatus »

Head_on_a_Stick wrote: BunsenWhat? :mrgreen:
Are you kidding me? :) Just noticed a rather active head on a stick over at the BunsenLabs forums...

Either way, I installed it just recently -- it's wonderful!

cheerio

User avatar
Head_on_a_Stick
Posts: 14114
Joined: 2014-06-01 17:46
Location: London, England
Has thanked: 81 times
Been thanked: 132 times

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager — jess

#49 Post by Head_on_a_Stick »

Peripatus wrote:rather active
Not any more :mrgreen:
deadbang

Peripatus
Posts: 3
Joined: 2018-11-22 12:47

Re: Auto login and `startx` without a display manager — jess

#50 Post by Peripatus »

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:
Peripatus wrote:rather active
Not any more :mrgreen:
Oh :? Should we take heed?

Post Reply