Debian 6.0 Squeeze Grub2 Headless without a monitor

[stepchild01]

Install Debian 6.0 "Squeeze" with graphical, guided LVM.
use the separated partitions/ the standard Linux format.
install only the core system with no predefined collections of software.
at first boot, login as root
aptitude install xrdp
aptitude install tightvncserver
reboot computer
aptitude install lxde
aptitude install gedit
reboot computer

attempt remote login to desktop using the Windoze Remote Desktop & the remote computer's ip address (not the computer name)
script for finding your ip address: /sbin/ifconfig
If you cannot login remotely at this point, then login locally.
Again try the Remote Desktop. If you cannot get in remotely at this point, something else is wrong. This worked for me the first time I tried it.

You might try editing the following:

Editing of xrdp.ini (optional)
cd /etc/xrdp

cp xrdp.ini xrdp.ini.bak

sudo gedit /etc/xrdp/xrdp.ini

Edit xrdp.ini to read:
[globals]
bitmap_cache=yes
bitmap_compression=yes
port=3389
crypt_level=low
channel_code=1

[xrdp1]
name=RDP_To_TightVNC
lib=libvnc.so
username=ask
password=ask
ip=127.0.0.1
port=-1

Reboot & try remote login again. If you still cannot login remotely, then do this:
Create a new user on the machine. Make this user "auto login" so that the machine boots directly to his Desktop. Change his desktop settings so that he goes to screensaver in one minute.

Reboot the machine.
You should now be able to use another computer to access your desktop on this machine. If not, I do not know what is wrong.

To setup for a headless operation:
Create the xorg.conf in /etc/X11
I tried editing Grub without first doing this and it failed. (Credit for this goes to Bapool.)

Create the xorg.conf file by in this manner:
In Root Terminal
sudo gedit /etc/X11/Xwrapper.config
Use "File/ Save As" and named the new file xorg.conf
Delete all that is inside the new xorg.conf file.
Copy & pasted the following into the empty xorg.conf file:

Section "Device"
Identifier "VNC Device"
Driver "vesa"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "VNC Screen"
Device "VNC Device"
Monitor "VNC Monitor"
SubSection "Display"
Modes "1024x768"
EndSubSection
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "VNC Monitor"
HorizSync 30-70
VertRefresh 50-75
EndSection

Save & Close.

Back in Root Terminal sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/i915-kms.conf

The file had only one line in it. The line read: echo options i915 modeset=1
Edit to read: echo options i915 modeset=0
NOTE: If your i915-kms.conf file has more lines in it, suggest either changing the one line or adding it at the bottom.
Save & Close.

Back in Root Terminal sudo gedit /etc/default/grub

Find the line that reads: GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="quite"
Edit to read: GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="nomodeset"
Save & Close

In Root Terminal sudo update-grub
Ready to Reboot Headless & without a monitor!

[TobiSGD]

Same as in your other HowTo: If you open a root terminal/login as root the use of sudo is pointless.

[stepchild01]

Thanks TobiSGD. I understand now that I could have been working without sudo. For someone else that might be working with an older/ different distro. the sudo's might help with their understanding.
I am really happy that this was the only thing you found to comment on! Guess the rest of the "how to" looked good

[tiltdad]

I've just installed Squeeze with a monitor and keyboard connected. I did not install a graphical UI. It boots and works great.

When I remove the monitor and keyboard it doesn't boot.

These instructions talk about changes with X11 and a UI installed.

What do I have to do to get it to boot in command line mode w/o a monitor and keyboard?

Thanks

[TonyT]

What do I have to do to get it to boot in command line mode w/o a monitor and keyboard?

Most likely a BIOS isssue, not a Debian issue. Access the BIOS and set Halt on Errors to none. Most BIOS will halt if no keyboard or other hardware are not. detected. Set your BIOS to NOT halt on errors.

[geazzy]

nice tutorial

[alancode]

Excellent guide, worked first time followed exactly..thanks alot.

-Posted from my headless Linux Debian 6 GDM machine

[mersudin]

I've just installed Squeeze with a monitor and keyboard connected. I did not install a graphical UI. It boots and works great.

When I remove the monitor and keyboard it doesn't boot.

These instructions talk about changes with X11 and a UI installed.

What do I have to do to get it to boot in command line mode w/o a monitor and keyboard?

Thanks

try blacklisting your driver in modprobe.d/blacklist it did trick for me
use lsmod to see what module is used for video
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=75686&p=421981#p421981

[DANIEL CRUZ GUERRA]

Sorry very good day, glad you all finally found a place to find great information, I would like to ask about an urgent question I have ... recently installed a debian machine .... 6.04 a starting installation was normal but at the end of the installation of a graph, but when a screen showed Initiate loading some files and then the screen froze and showed a broken image like I could not display the graphic form ... to which shall this?

[mephjones]

Daniel, I'm having difficulty reading your message. The font is too small.

Sorry very good day, glad you all finally found a place to find great information, I would like to ask about an urgent question I have ... recently installed a debian machine .... 6.04 a starting installation was normal but at the end of the installation of a graph, but when a screen showed Initiate loading some files and then the screen froze and showed a broken image like I could not display the graphic form ... to which shall this?