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mgcAlanB
Contributor
Contributor

How to start up a LinuxVM (on a Windows host) as if "headless"

I want to start my VMware 7 Workstation of RedHat Linux as if there is no display attached and, thus, the only way to access the LinuxVM is via command-line (SSH).

I need to test a process that relies on a "display" setting and we have a workaround using Xvnc.  But, I want to truly emulate that the LinuxVM knows of no Display device so it truly boots up in a sort-of no-display mode.

I guess my other option is to log in as "root" and run "init 1" or such to restart w/o an X server running?

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continuum
Immortal
Immortal

cant you tell your Linux VM not to autostart X
in services management disable gdm,kdm or whatever you use


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Do you need support with a VMFS recovery problem ? - send a message via skype "sanbarrow"
I do not support Workstation 16 at this time ...

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mgcAlanB
Contributor
Contributor

That seems like a great idea ... but I cannot find either in my Services list.

I did search my files in /etc/init.d for "X" and :0 and cannot find a startup script I could disable.

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mgcAlanB
Contributor
Contributor

I logged in as "root" and ran "init 3"

I now have a system where everything I need is or can run AND no X display.

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mgcAlanB
Contributor
Contributor

Solved.

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WoodyZ
Immortal
Immortal

mgcAlanB wrote: I did search my files in /etc/init.d for "X" and :smileylaugh: and cannot find a startup script I could disable.

As root, change "id:5:initdefault:" in "/etc/inittab" to "id:3:initdefault:".

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sakibpavel
Enthusiast
Enthusiast

Could you please share how you solve it?

Sakibpavel
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mgcAlanB
Contributor
Contributor

As I posted, I logged in as "root" and ran the command "init 3"

It rebooted in Level 3 mode .. networking and all are there, X (display) is not.

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