Member Avatar for stupidenator

Hi everyone,
I am playing around with Ubuntu that I put on an older PC. I was wondering if it is possible to bring up the Ubuntu desktop on my other computer that runs Windows XP via some kind of remote desktop application. Thank you for any help in advance.
Nick

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by nubcub

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This thread correctly identified VNC as the straightforward way to see an Ubuntu desktop from a Windows XP box (thanks to ). The intermittent "could not find server" reported by and the later login-screen issue raised by are common and have a small number of predictable causes and fixes.

Common causes of intermittent failures

  • VNC server not running or crashing after a while.
  • IP address changes from DHCP (the client tries the old address).
  • Firewall/NAT blocking the 5900+ ports or router not forwarding them.
  • Connecting to the wrong VNC display (VNC display N maps to TCP port 5900+N).
    Quick checks: verify the server is listening and the right port is open, for example:
    ss -tlnp | grep 590
sudo netstat -tulpn | grep 590

Why VNC sometimes requires a local login

  • Some VNC setups (the per-user "vino" or per-session servers) only start after a desktop session begins, so remote access only works once someone logged in locally. That explains 's symptom. Two robust approaches:
    • Share the physical console (login screen included) with x11vnc and run it as a system service that starts at boot (point it at the display manager Xauthority file).
    • Run a system-level VNC server (tigervnc/tightvnc) to provide independent virtual sessions that start on boot — these do not show the physical login screen but provide remote desktops anytime.

Security and alternatives

  • VNC is usually unencrypted. Avoid exposing 5900+ directly to the Internet. Prefer SSH tunneling (use PuTTY on Windows XP to forward local 5900 to remote 5900) or a VPN.
  • For a native Windows Remote Desktop client, xrdp is an alternative that can work better in some setups.
  • , and correctly noted that some Ubuntu releases included simple GUI remote-desktop options; behavior differs by release and display manager, so pick the server type (x11vnc vs virtual VNC vs xrdp) that matches the desired outcome (login screen vs separate session) and secure it before opening ports.

Recommended Answers

All 11 Replies

Member Avatar for kc0arf

Hello,

Yes, it is possible to see your Ubuntu desktop via the network on your XP computer. You will require software called VNC to make the connection. You can run the VNC server on the Ubuntu box, and the VNC client on XP, and make the connection.

Note, if you have firewalls in the way, it may require modifications to them in order for the traffic to pass.

Christian

Member Avatar for stupidenator

Thank you for the post. I googled vnc and got a program and it is working perfectly!
Nick

Member Avatar for stupidenator

I am experiencing a problem, however. It allows me to connect, but only sometimes. Other times it will tell me that it could not find the server. Is this normal? I am having trouble determining if it is my windows pc, or linux that is causing this to happen. Thanks for any help on this in advance.
Nick

Member Avatar for oneadvent

If you are using fiesty fawn (7.04) it has a vnc server automatically installed in it.

Go
Main Menu >> Preferences >> Remote Desktop

Click
Allow other users to view your desktop
Allow other users to control your desktop

Do not forget to set a password.

Now all you have to do is VNC to the Box using the ip address.

That will make sure the error is not with installation, which is always a pain in linux.

Member Avatar for Member #487424

I am experiencing a similar problem. I am using the latest version of Ubuntu, and unfortunately, I can only get a vnc connection if I am logged in to my ubuntu machine. I had a machine little over a year ago with an earlier version of ubuntu and I was able to VNC to the login screen, then log in to the desktop. What gives now? I have checked off the invitation confirmation, but I still can not log in unless I physically go to the machine and start a session. Then I can log in via VNC. Why is that now?

Member Avatar for Comatose

Step 1. Don't post to threads that are like 3 or 4 years old.
Step 2. Don't ask a question for yourself on someone else's thread
-ie: make your own thread
Step 3. Make sure the vnc server is running, regardless if you start a session or not.

Member Avatar for foobakej

Step 1. Try not to be an ass to people that are trying to understand ubuntu.
Step 2. See step 1.

Step 3. Profit!

Member Avatar for Amithabh

In ubuntu using team viewer(via WINE) we can access windows platform.And how to access in windows ubuntu remote desktop .Using VNC,RDP so on softwares are available but not getting the correct out put. If any one know pls give the instructions one by one................

Member Avatar for Amithabh

Give me instructions for installing ASP on ubuntu.I had got the articles .But its said that java home enviroment is needed.i couldn`t install.So pls help me.

Member Avatar for johnbmcdonald

If you are using fiesty fawn (7.04) it has a vnc server automatically installed in it.

Go
Main Menu >> Preferences >> Remote Desktop

Click
Allow other users to view your desktop
Allow other users to control your desktop

Do not forget to set a password.

Now all you have to do is VNC to the Box using the ip address.

That will make sure the error is not with installation, which is always a pain in linux.

Worked Perfect!

Thanks!

John

Member Avatar for nubcub

Instructions were supremely accurate. Built-in VNC server on Ubuntu 10.04 worked fine out of the box and a Windows XP client with VNC viewer connected right in. Thanks.

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