Ubuntu LXDE Desktop

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This is light weight Ubuntu desktop guide for everyone who wants install minimum packages but have Graphic User Interface. The alternative choice is Lubuntu which comes pre built using [LXDE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LXDE] (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) along with all recommended applications. The approach here is to achieve these objectives:

  • Use Ubuntu as a base system
  • LXDE as light weight desktop environment
  • Firefox, Network Manager as only necessary applications

Installing LXDE on Ubuntu

Installed lubuntu-core

sudo apt-get install lxde-core

It then had none of the extra software install. Originally I tried with --no-install-recommends but this left it too bare and seemingly with missing dependencies. After doing this I installed lxappearance and obconf to allow me to change the themes easily

sudo apt-get install lxappearance obconf

Install firefox without any recommended software as the addons are for Gnome.

sudo apt-get install firefox --no-install-recommends

Start LXDE

Install startx if no display managers are available

sudo apt-get install xinit
startx

Select session manager

~$ sudo update-alternatives --config x-session-manager
[sudo] password for piotr: 
There are 3 choices for the alternative x-session-manager (providing /usr/bin/x-session-manager).

  Selection    Path                      Priority   Status
------------------------------------------------------------
* 0            /usr/bin/startlxde         50        auto mode
  1            /usr/bin/lxsession         49        manual mode
  2            /usr/bin/openbox-session   40        manual mode
  3            /usr/bin/startlxde         50        manual mode
Press enter to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number: 0

Optional. If you have errors in xsession-errors to clear up

sudo apt-get install gtk2-engines-pixbuf

Logging Out LXDE

To log out from the session you can run the command lxsession-logout. This will show you a dialog asking if you want to shutdown, reboot, change session, etc.

lxsession-logout

Change Resolution in LXDE

LXRandR is the standard screen manager of LXDE. It manages screen resolution and external monitors.

sudo apt-get install lxrandr x11-xserver-utils

After installation you will it in Start > Preferences > Monitor Settings. There is a bug when it runs in vmguest - 'Unable to find monitor information' therefore we needed to install x11-xserver-utils to have native xrandr helping detect the monitor information. If you installed vmtools screen will resize to the window size from now on.

Troubleshooting
sudo lshw -numeric -c video
xrandr -q

Running as VMware Guest

Install VMware tools using ESXi, VM Player or VM Workstation menu. Then copy mounted CD, extract and install tolls.

mkdir ~/vmtools
cp /media/username/* ~/vmtools/
cd ~/vmtools/
tar -xzvf ./VMwareTools-9.6.1-1378637.tar.gz
cd vmware-tools-distrib/

Run installation script with all default options

./vmware-install.pl

You need to restart X sessions before any mouse or graphic changes take effect. Invoking vm-tools:

/usr/bin/vmware-toolbox-cmd

TO enable advanced features rg guest resolution fit, drag and drop, copy/paste:

  1. Manually start /usr/bin/vmware-user
  2. Log out anf log back into your desktop session
  3. Restart your X session
$ ps -e | grep X
20929 tty7     00:00:20 Xorg
sudo kill PID_here_20929
startx &

References