Can I access a computer with no monitor?

[Mr_VeRiTy]

Hey, my monitor broke and I can't get a new one for about a week, and there are files I need on my PC. I was wondering if I could move those files to a memory stick by using only the tty1 CLI, or better yet, get access to the PC via my laptop. How would I do this?

Could I use remote desktop? (My previous experience with remote desktop didn't go well, but maybe since the PC and the laptop are on the same network it would be easier?)

[Bachstelze]

You can use SSH for that, but if you don't have the SSH sever installed on the target machine, you will have a hard time installing it without a monitor...

[Mr_VeRiTy]

You can use SSH for that, but if you don't have the SSH sever installed on the target machine, you will have a hard time installing it without a monitor...

Could I not just boot it up, press ctrl+alt+F1, type my user name and password, then sudo apt-get install openssh-server? Will it even boot without a monitor?

[RunForIt222]

It will boot without a monitor, and I think that will work, you might have to hit Y once its downloaded.

You'll have to have someone with more experience answer you for sure though.

[Mr_VeRiTy]

I think openssh is installed now (I used "eject" to test if the commands were going through.) But what do I do next?

[tredegar]

But what do I do next?

See if you can connect to your desktop. I hope laptop is running linux.
On laptop

ssh verity@LAN.IP.OF.DESKTOP

Answer the prompts.
Can you login and connect?
exit to close the connection

If that worked then put this into nautilus:

sftp://verity@LAN.IP.OF.DESKTOP/home/verity/

Press return. Give your password.
Now you can drag and drop files between PCs

[Mr_VeRiTy]

See if you can connect to your desktop. I hope laptop is running linux.
On laptop

ssh verity@LAN.IP.OF.DESKTOP

Answer the prompts.
Can you login and connect?
exit to close the connection

If that worked then put this into nautilus:

sftp://verity@LAN.IP.OF.DESKTOP/home/verity/

Press return. Give your password.
Now you can drag and drop files between PCs

The laptop is running linux. I don't think the PC is connected to my wireless router.. How do I connect from the terminal? Gnome usually connects me automatically when I log in so I thought logging in by gdm would connect me, but gdm doesn't seem to be starting without the monitor. (I tried "sudo service gdm restart", but it didn't work). This also means openssh wasn't installed.

[hawthornso23]

Very clever if you can get this to work.

Before we get too carried away with the clever tricks
have you checked if you can use your TV as a monitor?

Assuming not, here is another clever trick. You might be able to get your machine to talk to you and tell you what it is doing. If you have espeak installed then

pwd | espeak

will tell you what directory you are in

ls | espeak

will tell you what files are in that directory. And so on.

[Mr_VeRiTy]

Very clever if you can get this to work.

Before we get too carried away with the clever tricks
have you checked if you can use your TV as a monitor?

Assuming not, here is another clever trick. You might be able to get your machine to talk to you and tell you what it is doing. If you have espeak installed then

pwd | espeak

will tell you what directory you are in

ls | espeak

will tell you what files are in that directory. And so on.

I don't have it installed, but I am definitely gonna remember that. And no, my tv is ooold.

[tredegar]

The laptop is running linux.

Good

I don't think the PC is connected to my wireless router.

Easiest way to connect it is to connect it to your router with an ethernet cable (you might have to move it close to the router).
Boot, and you should be connected to your LAN / the internet.

Your router can tell you what LAN IP it has assigned to the desktop. You will need to know this. Check by logging into your router from the laptop, and getting it to list the connected devices.

If the desktop is not listed as connected:

Login to your desktop as yourself. Type

sudo dhclient eth0

Give your password
Press return
Wait a minute, then try

sudo apt-get install openssh-server espeak

Give your password
Press return
Watch your router's lights they should indicate something is happening.
Wait a few minutes
See if espeak was installed (I like that idea!)

echo hello | espeak

If it was, then the openssh-server should be there as well. Remember, your volume may be turned down too low for you to hear anything, so silence does not necessarily mean "fail".

Now try connecting from your laptop with ssh. You must do this once before you can use sftp and nautilus to connect.