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A few weeks ago I gave [tag]Ubuntu[/tag] another chance. The update bug was corrected and now I could enjoy my Ubuntu box without losing too much time with bugs. My ULAMP (the U is from Ubuntu) box was now ready to work, the only thing missing was the remote access. I installed [tag]SSH[/tag] and explored the [tag]Remote Desktop[/tag] feature that comes with Ubuntu. [tag]VNC[/tag] based, worked well, fast and functional, but when you logoff there’s no more Remote Desktop available. I needed VNC available from the login screen, or [tag]GDM[/tag] in Gnome/Ubuntu. So here’s a quick how to:

First, disable Desktop Sharing under System -> Preferences -> Remote Desktop.

Now install x11vnc, you can do this with [tag]apt-get[/tag] or [tag]Synaptics[/tag], this package is available in the Community Maintained (Universe) repository.

Now with [tag]x11vnc[/tag] installed, you will need to create a password file:

sudo x11vnc -storepasswd yourpasswordhere /etc/x11vnc.pass

Then configure GDM to run x11vnc when at loading time:

sudo gedit /etc/X11/gdm/Init/Default

and this line to the file:

/usr/bin/x11vnc -rfbauth /etc/x11vnc.pass -o /tmp/x11vnc.log -forever -bg -rfbport 5900

(you can change the port and other parameters)

So far so good, but if you restart your pc at this stage you’ll only be able to login, then the GDM will kill your session. To avoid this we must change another file:

sudo gedit /etc/X11/gdm/gdm.conf

now search for this line :

#KillInitClients=true

And change it to this:

KillInitClients=false

Restart you PC and now you have VNC at login time. 🙂