10.04 won't boot without monitor / keyboard (headless)

[kentoe]

Won't work here either. I've tried multiple xorg.conf files including the one specified in the second post.

(I'm using an ATI onboard card on a compaq)

Seems as though there's no xorg.conf file in /etc/X11 and that X automatically tries to recognize devices now with the new 10.04. While that's neat and all, not having an xorg.conf causes this problem.

I've also tried using what is in xorg.conf.failsafe which is

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "fbdev"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
Device "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

But this hasn't helped at all.

[kentoe]

Hey guys, here's a workaround I found. However, unfortunately not as easy as just vncing into it. I'm sure if some script was made or some type of configuration was put in place it would work.

Installed ssh to ubuntu.
Installed vncserver

sudo apt-get install tightvncserver

Installed x11vnc

sudo apt-get install x11vnc

SSH into the system from another system

Start the vncserver

vncserver –geometry widthxheight –depth 24

This should output something relative to

YourServerName:1

This is a display vnc creates (Original display, which we can't get working is :0) If you run the vncserver command multiple times it will create a :2 :3 and so on.

Now is the time to get this up and working.

x11vnc -storepasswd

This creates a password.

Then we launch it,

x11vnc -usepw -display :1

:1 is the display we created with the original vncserver command.

Once correctly launched it should say something like this.

The VNC desktop is: yourdesktopname:1
PORT=5903

Go to your vnc client, enter

ipaddress: port

and it should connect!

[crinkelcut_chip]

...easiest solution for this at the moment I'd say is

1) either
a) buy a dvi-vga adapter (if your computer has a dvi output on its graphics card)
b) buy a vga joiner or sorts if your computer has a vga output... like http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...a&form=KEYWORD

2) Then buy 3 60-80ohm resisters (75ohm is ideal) (.25- .5w) like
http://www.radioparts.com.au/ProdVie...2f4W+1%25+MF25

3) Push each end of a resister firmly into a hole on the socket
...you need to put the load between (on the vga socket of your adapter)
pins
1-6
2-7
3-8

Then plug into graphics card...

This will simulate a load on the graphics card... essentially the computer will think there is a generic monitor is attached..

[Zlobomir]

Well, the solution in the last post is really geeky.
But I have a 10.04 server which needs X, and which is attached to KVM and monitor, so that I can't use the joiner, neither keep the CRT monitor constantly on. On each reboot or power loss I have to go to the next room, power on the monitor, login and type "start x".
Sorry for the harsh words, but the genius that has applied this has to be expelled from the team for good. Like the sound issues (line out identifies 1:1 digital) and therefore line out can't be attached .

[Matt.Sleepy]

This tutorial helped me fixing the problem (tut is for 9.10 buts works perfectly with 10.04).
You only need a monitor connected while setting up your xorg.conf, than you can boot into X without monitor.

Howto

[gggie]

I can't believe there's not an easier solution to this... I don't have an nvidia card so I don't think the post above me will work.

The method in this thread (editing xorg.conf) worked for me up to 9.10, but doesn't in 10.04.

[Enthrall]

Nothing in 10.4 appears to work for me in xubuntu iv tried different xorg configs and they all end up with black screen like when I boot without a monitor.

[EternalLiberty]

I may be having the same problem. I setup Ubuntu 10.04 on a new computer and enabled remote desktop. However, after I was done, I tried to restart the computer without the monitor but it never finished booting or started the VNC server. If I reconnect the monitor, it only display a blank screen. If I restart the computer with the monitor, it works fine.

I've been trying to get a Ubuntu computer working headless since Ubuntu 8.4, it always does this on all the computers I try.

Has anyone found a solution?

[lusixhan]

Same problem. I'm even running the 10.04 server install!

[bapool]

This is getting frustrating. I just redid both my servers to 10.04 and put them in the closet, and then discovered this wonderful bug. Server works great if there is a monitor connected. I have mine boot to command line and then I putty in and startx only if I need to use the GUI. Of course I can't startx in 10.04 now since there is no monitor in the server closet (actually there is one and I move the vga extension cable to the server I need to mess with) but I digress.

If anyone finds a good solution to this please post it. If I do, I will likewise!

Brian

PS Actually it works fine without the monitor, except the remote in and startx bug.