Run X-Windows on Android/G1 with either GUI (Gnome, KDE, IceWM or LXDE Desktop)

[Lukster]

Thanks to ghostwalker over at androidfanatic.com... It's official you can run X-Windows and your choice of GUI (Gnome, KDE, IceWM etc) on an Android device! Enjoy.. I'm booting debian shell currently.

Here is the Thread

"Screenshots are below!!

Here are instructions about running X-Windows and more specifically the LXDE Desktop GUI on the G-1.

LXDE is an energy saving and extremely fast and performing desktop solution. It works well with computers on the low end of the performance spectrum such as new generation netbooks and other small mobile computers

While IceWM, performance-wise runs the fastest - LXDE is also pretty good, and just plain 'prettier!

I have included options for either Desktop in the instructions below.

Prerequistes; Debian Shell instructions here: http://www.androidfanatic.com/cms/co...atid=9&id=2248 (UPDATED)

Also if your 'debian.img' file is a little small you may want to resize it - instructions here:

http://www.androidfanatic.com/cms/community-forums.html?func=view&catid=9&id=1610

You need three basic packages:

From the Android OS:
Download VNCviewer for Android from our repo here:

http://www.androidfanatic.com/cms/un...fileinfo&id=16

or from google here:

http://code.google.com/p/android-vnc-viewer/

Now copy the .apk file to your sdcard and then run 'Apps installer' from the Market to install that.

From the terminal, boot your debian shell and then type:

apt-get install tightvncserver (return)

apt-get install lxde (return)

or if you want a really basic desktop use IceWM:

apt-get install icewm (return)

Now you need to setup your vncserver

at the prompt type:

export USER=root (return)
vncserver -geometry 480x320 (return)

This will create an x-windows session and a startup file
in the /root/.vnc/ directory. Vncserver will also ask you to set up two passwrds. You will need the first password to log in, but just say no to the second password.
The next thing to do is to kill the session you just started: vncserver -kill :1

This is so you can edit the startup file to set it up correctly.

go to /root/.vnc

type

nano xstartup


comment out the line for xsession:

#/etc/X11/xsession

add these two lines:

icewm &
lxsession

or if you decided to go for IceWM instead:

icewm &
xterm

save the file (trackball then 'o', and exit nano (trackball then 'x'.

Then restart an x windows session by vncserver ( you should kill it after you are done with x-windows later on).

This next bit does some housekeeping and sets up the VNC service each time you boot your debian shell - saves messing about everytime!

Now back inside your debian prompt you need to edit your /root/.bashrc file

cd /root
nano .bashrc

Add the following near the top of the file:

export USER=root
cd /
rm -r -f tmp
mkdir tmp
cd /
vncserver -geometry 480x320

(this sets your resolution - you can change this if you will be connecting via your computer).

save the file (trackball then 'o', and exit nano (trackball then 'x'.

Type 'exit' to exit the Debian shell.

reboot the phone.

Once rebooted go into Terminal and boot yor Debian shell.

Press the HOME button to revert back to the Android OS while leaving your Debian shell running.

Open androidVNC from your android programs menu.

Connect to 'localhost' port '5901' and enter your password.

Viola, you now have XWindows running on your phone. Obviously you can connect to your phone's new desktop GUI with a VNC viewer from your computer too jsut enter it's ip address instead of localhost.

To make the cursor work with your finger:

Press the MENU button on your device and select 1:1 then just press the trackball ONCE!

Now whenever you want a proper x-windows Desktop GUI right there on your phone, just run the debian shell with 'bootdeb' and it sets up your vncserver. Then just press home to leave it running and get back to your android menu, where you can choose to VNC directly onto it.

Cool eh?

When you are finished just exit androidVNC, if you want to get back to your Debian shell, HOLD DOWN the home key to bring up your running processes and switch to it.

What the heck, you could even install GNOME or KDE but it may be a little slow! I can't be arsed to try it, but if you can, be sure to let us know how it goes.





"

Some troubleshooting has already been established and talked about in its original thread.. here http://www.androidfanatic.com/cms/co...atid=9&id=1615 ... the site is for sale btw!

[ickyfehmleh]

You need to fix your tutorial to not have users run around as root. Nobody in the Unix world actively encourages people to traipse around filesystems as the sole user that can utterly destroy them.

[Lukster]

You need to fix your tutorial to not have users run around as root. Nobody in the Unix world actively encourages people to traipse around filesystems as the sole user that can utterly destroy them.

Not my tut and I think those willing to do this know this, and if not, not my fault for others actions. This is a quote as you see.. and i am attemting it too .. If you have a bettter way then apply your wit... Your input is welcome, but only if its a solution.. and please dont tell me what to do k .

[f4phantomii]

Old, old, old news....this has been out since about two weeks after people figured out how to "root" the G1.

I know I've had it running on my phone since at least December 08.

But thanks for the screenshots. Do a quick search for Debian.....you'll see numerous threads already have covered this....at least dating back to November of last year.

[Lukster]

Old, old, old news....this has been out since about two weeks after people figured out how to "root" the G1.

I know I've had it running on my phone since at least December 08.

But thanks for the screenshots. Do a quick search for Debian.....you'll see numerous threads already have covered this....at least dating back to November of last year.

Rep added!

I stopped using my g1 shortly after getting it.. no offense but i just didnt like it and went back to my iphone.. I am not using the g1 just tryin to brick it really... jk in other words im bored and havent been in the android loop since a little after it was rooted.. i searcehd the thread for x-windows and lots of other stuff etc but nothin pulled.. I rooted mine np but never put x-windows. thanks though.


kinda let down by this the past g1 and android stack and picking it back up to toy with.