Adding GUI/Graphical Interface with access via VNC

[wjack2010]

If your new to using a server running Ubuntu, then this guide will help you install a Graphical Interface, a bit like Windows, also known as a GUI. This guide also includes how to access the desktop via a VNC. This guide is good for VPS.

Versions of Ubuntu: 8.04 though I've tested with the latest 11.04 and it appears to run smoothly aswel

SSH into the VPS

and execute the following commands

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start

sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

sudo apt-get install tightvncserver

vncserver :1 -geometry 1024x768 -depth 16 -pixelformat rgb565

Now we need to change the config file:

sudo nano ~/.vnc/xstartup

Comment "x-window-manager" and add this on the end of file:

gnome-session &

so it will look like this:

#!/bin/sh

xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
xsetroot -solid grey
x-terminal-emulator -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &
#x-window-manager &
gnome-session &

Now reboot the server:

sudo reboot

Start the VNC server:

vncserver :1 -geometry 1024x768 -depth 16 -pixelformat rgb565

You're vnc server is now running!

Now open your vnc client and type in

YOURIP:1

[makentosh]

Thanks wjack2010 for this, I have been looking for this kind of tutorial, since I am trying to connect to a Ubuntu desktop using VNC but it seems its not working. But anyways thanks for this, nice tutorial..