black screen on connection to Ubuntu VPS instance

[obf...@gmail.com]

I am using TigerVNC to remotely access my Ubuntu VPS instance w/ Unity desktop interface from my Windows desktop computer. I am encountering a black screen on every connection made to the VPS.

I start the TigerVNC server on the VPS through Putty on Windows, using the command: ./vncserver

[/root/.vnc/xstartup file contents]

#!/bin/sh

unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
OS=`uname -s`
if [ $OS = 'Linux' ]; then
case "$WINDOWMANAGER" in
*gnome*)
if [ -e /etc/SuSE-release ]; then
PATH=$PATH:/opt/gnome/bin
export PATH
fi
;;
esac
fi
if [ -x /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc ]; then
exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
fi
if [ -f /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc ]; then
exec sh /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
fi
[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
xsetroot -solid grey
xterm -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &
twm &

[/root/.vnc/config file contents]

securitytypes=vncauth,tlsvnc
desktop=sandbox
geometry=1920x1080
#localhost
#alwaysshared

[/root/.vnc/[vpsname]:2.log file contents]

Xvnc TigerVNC 1.9.0 - built Jul 16 2018 14:18:04
Copyright (C) 1999-2018 TigerVNC Team and many others (see README.rst)
See http://www.tigervnc.org for information on TigerVNC.
Underlying X server release 11400000, The X.Org Foundation

Initializing built-in extension VNC-EXTENSION
Initializing built-in extension Generic Event Extension
Initializing built-in extension SHAPE
Initializing built-in extension MIT-SHM
Initializing built-in extension XInputExtension
Initializing built-in extension XTEST
Initializing built-in extension BIG-REQUESTS
Initializing built-in extension SYNC
Initializing built-in extension XKEYBOARD
Initializing built-in extension XC-MISC
Initializing built-in extension XINERAMA
Initializing built-in extension XFIXES
Initializing built-in extension RENDER
Initializing built-in extension RANDR
Initializing built-in extension COMPOSITE
Initializing built-in extension DAMAGE
Initializing built-in extension MIT-SCREEN-SAVER
Initializing built-in extension DOUBLE-BUFFER
Initializing built-in extension RECORD
Initializing built-in extension DPMS
Initializing built-in extension X-Resource
Initializing built-in extension XVideo
Initializing built-in extension XVideo-MotionCompensation
Initializing built-in extension GLX

Mon Jul 1 16:29:03 2019
vncext: VNC extension running!
vncext: Listening for VNC connections on all interface(s), port 5902
vncext: created VNC server for screen 0

Mon Jul 1 16:31:15 2019
Connections: accepted: [myIPaddress]::51239
SConnection: Client needs protocol version 3.8
SConnection: Client requests security type VeNCrypt(19)
SVeNCrypt: Client requests security type VncAuth (2)

Mon Jul 1 16:32:19 2019
VNCSConnST: Server default pixel format depth 24 (32bpp) little-endian rgb888
VNCSConnST: Client pixel format depth 24 (32bpp) little-endian rgb888
ComparingUpdateTracker: 0 pixels in / 0 pixels out
ComparingUpdateTracker: (1:-nan ratio)
VNCSConnST: FramebufferUpdateRequest 1920x1080 at 0,0 exceeds framebuffer
1920x1058

[Pierre Ossman]

On 01/07/2019 23:36, obf...@gmail.com wrote:
> I am using TigerVNC to remotely access my Ubuntu VPS instance w/ Unity desktop interface from my Windows desktop computer. I am encountering a black screen on every connection made to the VPS.
>
> I start the TigerVNC server on the VPS through Putty on Windows, using the command: ./vncserver
>

> [/root/.vnc/[vpsname]:2.log file contents]
>

There is not a trace of your xstartup in that log. Could you add some
echos to it to verify that it is indeed being executed?

Did you check the journal if perhaps the logging ended up there?

Regards
--
Pierre Ossman Software Development
Cendio AB https://cendio.com
Teknikringen 8 https://twitter.com/ThinLinc
583 30 Linköping https://facebook.com/ThinLinc
Phone: +46-13-214600

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

[N He]

Apologies for the prior message as I don't believe it fulfilled your request. Here is the current xstartup file build(now with more echos) and log file(emphasis mine):

[/root/.vnc/xstartup file contents]

#!/bin/sh

echo "XSTARTUP FILE HERE LETTING YOU KNOW I STARTED!"

unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
OS=`uname -s`
if [ $OS = 'Linux' ]; then

  echo "OS = Linux ROAD CHOSEN!"
  case "$WINDOWMANAGER" in
    *gnome*)
      echo "case WINDOWMANAGER IN GNOME hit!"

      if [ -e /etc/SuSE-release ]; then
        PATH=$PATH:/opt/gnome/bin
        export PATH
      fi
      ;;
  esac
fi
if [ -x /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc ]; then

  echo "HEY I EXECUTED: exec /etc/X11/init/xinitrc"

  exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
fi
if [ -f /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc ]; then

  echo "HEY I EXECUTED: sh /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc"

  exec sh /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
fi
[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources

echo "HEY I JUST READ THROUGH THIS LINE: [ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources"
xsetroot -solid grey
echo "HEY I EXECUTED:  xsetroot -solid grey"

xterm -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &

echo "HEY I EXECUTED: xterm-geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title [title]" &
twm &
echo "HEY THIS IS THE END OF XSTARTUP!" &

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[/root/.vnc/ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01:2.log file contents upon using VNC Viewer to connect and closing the window]

Fri Jul  5 17:15:49 2019

 vncext:      VNC extension running!
 vncext:      Listening for VNC connections on all interface(s), port 5902
 vncext:      created VNC server for screen 0

XSTARTUP FILE HERE LETTING YOU KNOW I STARTED!
OS = Linux ROAD CHOSEN!
HEY I EXECUTED: exec /etc/X11/init/xinitrc

Fri Jul  5 17:18:33 2019
 Connections: accepted:  [my ip address]

 SConnection: Client needs protocol version 3.8
 SConnection: Client requests security type VeNCrypt(19)

Fri Jul  5 17:18:34 2019

 SVeNCrypt:   Client requests security type VncAuth (2)

Fri Jul  5 17:18:40 2019

 VNCSConnST:  Server default pixel format depth 24 (32bpp) little-endian rgb888
 VNCSConnST:  Client pixel format depth 24 (32bpp) little-endian rgb888
 ComparingUpdateTracker: 0 pixels in / 0 pixels out
 ComparingUpdateTracker: (1:-nan ratio)
 VNCSConnST:  FramebufferUpdateRequest 1920x1080 at 0,0 exceeds framebuffer
              1920x1058

Fri Jul  5 17:18:43 2019
 Connections: closed: [my ip address] (Clean disconnection)
 EncodeManager: Framebuffer updates: 2
 EncodeManager:   Tight:
 EncodeManager:     Solid: 2 rects, 4.10496 Mpixels
 EncodeManager:            32 B (1:513121 ratio)
 EncodeManager:   Total: 2 rects, 4.10496 Mpixels
 EncodeManager:          32 B (1:513121 ratio)

 ComparingUpdateTracker: 0 pixels in / 0 pixels out
 ComparingUpdateTracker: (1:-nan ratio)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[journalctl -n output at time of vncserver command use and the VNC Viewer window being closed]

-- Logs begin at Wed 2019-06-12 15:05:54 CDT, end at Fri 2019-07-05 17:17:01 CDT. --
Jul 05 17:15:52 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 at-spi-bus-launcher[3727]: dbus-daemon[3732]: Activating service name='org.a11y.atspi.Registry' requested by ':1.12' (uid=0 pid=4370 comm="/usr/lib/gnome-session/

gnome-session-check-ac
Jul 05 17:15:52 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 at-spi-bus-launcher[3727]: dbus-daemon[3732]: Successfully activated service 'org.a11y.atspi.Registry'
Jul 05 17:15:52 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 at-spi-bus-launcher[3727]: SpiRegistry daemon is running with well-known name - org.a11y.atspi.Registry
Jul 05 17:15:52 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-session[4319]: gnome-session-binary[4319]: WARNING: software acceleration check failed: Child process exited with code 1
Jul 05 17:15:52 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-session-binary[4319]: WARNING: software acceleration check failed: Child process exited with code 1
Jul 05 17:15:52 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-session[4319]: gnome-session-binary[4319]: CRITICAL: We failed, but the fail whale is dead. Sorry....
Jul 05 17:15:52 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-session-binary[4319]: CRITICAL: We failed, but the fail whale is dead. Sorry....
Jul 05 17:17:01 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 CRON[4391]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
Jul 05 17:17:01 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 CRON[4392]: (root) CMD (   cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.hourly)
Jul 05 17:17:01 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 CRON[4391]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root

[N He]

On Friday, July 5, 2019 at 5:33:27 PM UTC-5, N He wrote:

Apologies for the prior message as I don't believe it fulfilled your request. Here is the current xstartup file build(now with more echos) and log file(emphasis mine):

[/root/.vnc/xstartup file contents]

#!/bin/sh

echo "XSTARTUP FILE HERE LETTING YOU KNOW I STARTED!"

unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
OS=`uname -s`

if [ $OS = 'Linux' ]; then...

So after becoming more familiar with the xstartup script and what each line does, along with other cases where users have shared in similar predicament not excluding different display managers, I have arrived at the following xstartup build [note: I am still experiencing the black screen problem]:

#!/bin/sh

echo "XSTARTUP FILE HERE LETTING YOU KNOW I STARTED!"

unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS

#OS=`uname -s`
if [ -x /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc ]; then
  echo "HEY I WILL BE EXECUTING: exec /etc/X11/init/xinitrc"
  exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
fi

[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
xsetroot -

solid grey
xterm -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &
#twm &
gdm3 &

I have changed the end line to the following display managers from what I was able to research, but the same black screen is the result:

gdm

gnome-session

lightdm

[N He]

Commenting the line:

exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

...presents me with a window environment that includes a solid grey background and a xterm terminal, both adhering to the properties described at the end the script.

Uncommenting the line presents the black screen.

[contents of xinitrc]

#!/bin/sh

# /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc
#
# global xinitrc file, used by all X sessions started by xinit (startx)

# invoke global X session script
. /etc/X11/Xsession

And Xsession contains many lines of code.

[N He]

Apologies as I was mistaken that this was a Unity desktop environment. This is in fact GNOME.

[N He]

As of now I am able to connect to the Ubuntu VPS through TigerVNC Viewer on my Windows machine however I am getting a frozen Ubuntu login screen with TAB being able to focus the text input field(not delete the characters from the submitted password however) and the Cancel button. I cannot excel past the login screen.

[xstartup file contents]

#!/bin/sh
# Start Gnome 3 Desktop
[ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup

[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources

vncconfig -iconic &
dbus-launch --exit-with-session gnome-session &

[vncserver log file]

Xvnc TigerVNC 1.7.0 - built Dec  5 2017 09:25:01
Copyright (C) 1999-2016 TigerVNC Team and many others (see README.txt)

See http://www.tigervnc.org for information on TigerVNC.

Underlying X server release 11905000, The X.Org Foundation


Sun Jul  7 17:10:02 2019
 vncext:      VNC extension running!
 vncext:      Listening for VNC connections on all interface(s), port 5901

 vncext:      created VNC server for screen 0

Sun Jul  7 17:10:43 2019

 Connections: accepted: [my ip address]
 SConnection: Client needs protocol version 3.8
 SConnection: Client requests security type VeNCrypt(19)

 SVeNCrypt:   Client requests security type VncAuth (2)

Sun Jul  7 17:10:50 2019

 VNCSConnST:  Server default pixel format depth 24 (32bpp) little-endian rgb888
 VNCSConnST:  Client pixel format depth 24 (32bpp) little-endian rgb888

 VNCSConnST:  FramebufferUpdateRequest 1900x1200 at 0,0 exceeds framebuffer
              1024x768

Sun Jul  7 17:32:11 2019

 Connections: closed: [my ip address] (Clean disconnection)

 EncodeManager: Framebuffer updates: 153
 EncodeManager:   Tight:
 EncodeManager:     Solid: 18 rects, 3.98223 Mpixels
 EncodeManager:            288 B (1:55309.4 ratio)
 EncodeManager:     Indexed RLE: 146 rects, 1.61519 Mpixels
 EncodeManager:                  282.021 KiB (1:22.3779 ratio)
 EncodeManager:   Tight (JPEG):
 EncodeManager:     Full Colour: 82 rects, 3.44328 Mpixels
 EncodeManager:                  536.314 KiB (1:25.081 ratio)
 EncodeManager:   Total: 246 rects, 9.0407 Mpixels
 EncodeManager:          818.617 KiB (1:43.1436 ratio)

Sun Jul  7 19:47:31 2019

 Connections: accepted: [my ip address]
 SConnection: Client needs protocol version 3.8
 SConnection: Client requests security type VeNCrypt(19)

 SVeNCrypt:   Client requests security type VncAuth (2)

Sun Jul  7 19:47:38 2019

 VNCSConnST:  Server default pixel format depth 24 (32bpp) little-endian rgb888
 VNCSConnST:  Client pixel format depth 24 (32bpp) little-endian rgb888

 VNCSConnST:  FramebufferUpdateRequest 1098x768 at 0,0 exceeds framebuffer
              1024x768

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[journalctl -n 35 output]

user0@ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01:~/.vnc$ journalctl -n 35
Hint: You are currently not seeing messages from other users and the system.
      Users in groups 'adm', 'systemd-journal' can see all messages.
      Pass -q to turn off this notice.
-- Logs begin at Sun 2019-07-07 13:43:36 CDT, end at Sun 2019-07-07 20:13:07 CDT. --
Jul 07 20:09:14 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 dbus-daemon[16454]: [session uid=1000 pid=16452] Activated service 'org.freedesktop.systemd1' failed: Process org.freedesktop.systemd1 exited with status 1
Jul 07 20:09:14 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gsd-sharing[16635]: Failed to StopUnit service: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.Spawn.ChildExited: Process org.freedesktop.systemd1 exited with status 1
Jul 07 20:09:14 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gsd-sharing[16635]: Failed to StopUnit service: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.Spawn.ChildExited: Process org.freedesktop.systemd1 exited with status 1
Jul 07 20:09:14 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gsd-sharing[16635]: Failed to StopUnit service: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.Spawn.ChildExited: Process org.freedesktop.systemd1 exited with status 1
Jul 07 20:09:14 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gsd-sharing[16635]: Failed to StopUnit service: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.Spawn.ChildExited: Process org.freedesktop.systemd1 exited with status 1
Jul 07 20:09:14 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 org.gnome.SettingsDaemon.Wacom.desktop[16644]: error: XDG_RUNTIME_DIR not set in the environment.
Jul 07 20:09:14 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 org.gnome.SettingsDaemon.Mouse.desktop[16679]: error: XDG_RUNTIME_DIR not set in the environment.
Jul 07 20:09:14 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-session-binary[16450]: Entering running state
Jul 07 20:09:15 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gsd-media-keys[16677]: Unable to inhibit keypresses: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.AccessDenied: Permission denied
Jul 07 20:09:15 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-shell[16521]: JS WARNING: [resource:///org/gnome/shell/ui/workspaceThumbnail.js 891]: reference to undefined property "_switchWorkspaceNotifyId"
Jul 07 20:09:15 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 org.gnome.SettingsDaemon.Keyboard.desktop[16673]: error: XDG_RUNTIME_DIR not set in the environment.
Jul 07 20:09:15 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gsd-keyboard[16673]: Could not get current seat: No data available
Jul 07 20:09:15 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 dbus-daemon[16454]: [session uid=1000 pid=16452] Activating service name='org.gnome.evolution.dataserver.Calendar7' requested by ':1.27' (uid=1000 pid=16557 comm="/usr/lib/gnome-shell/gnome-shel
Jul 07 20:09:16 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 org.gnome.SettingsDaemon.Power.desktop[16628]: error: XDG_RUNTIME_DIR not set in the environment.
Jul 07 20:09:16 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-shell[16521]: Error looking up permission: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknown: The name org.freedesktop.impl.portal.PermissionStore was not provided by any .service file
Jul 07 20:09:16 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 dbus-daemon[16454]: [session uid=1000 pid=16452] Successfully activated service 'org.gnome.evolution.dataserver.Calendar7'
Jul 07 20:09:16 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 dbus-daemon[16454]: [session uid=1000 pid=16452] Activating service name='ca.desrt.dconf' requested by ':1.57' (uid=1000 pid=16792 comm="/usr/lib/evolution/evolution-calendar-factory-subp" label
Jul 07 20:09:16 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 dbus-daemon[16454]: [session uid=1000 pid=16452] Activating service name='org.gnome.evolution.dataserver.AddressBook9' requested by ':1.57' (uid=1000 pid=16792 comm="/usr/lib/evolution/evolution
Jul 07 20:09:16 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 dbus-daemon[16454]: [session uid=1000 pid=16452] Successfully activated service 'ca.desrt.dconf'
Jul 07 20:09:16 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 dbus-daemon[16454]: [session uid=1000 pid=16452] Successfully activated service 'org.gnome.evolution.dataserver.AddressBook9'
Jul 07 20:09:17 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-shell[16521]: Could not get current seat: No data available
Jul 07 20:09:17 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-shell[16521]: GNOME Shell started at Sun Jul 07 2019 20:09:13 GMT-0500 (CDT)
Jul 07 20:09:22 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gsd-color[16666]: could not find device: property match 'XRANDR_name'='VNC-0' does not exist
Jul 07 20:10:16 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-software[16887]: plugin appstream took 1.3 seconds to do setup
Jul 07 20:10:16 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-software[16887]: enabled plugins: ubuntuone, packagekit-offline, packagekit-local, packagekit-upgrade, packagekit, shell-extensions, desktop-categories, packagekit-url-to-app, packagekit-p
Jul 07 20:10:16 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-software[16887]: disabled plugins: repos, dpkg, dummy, epiphany
Jul 07 20:10:17 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-software[16887]: Only 0 apps for recent list, hiding
Jul 07 20:10:18 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-software[16887]: hiding category audio-video featured applications: found only 0 to show, need at least 9
Jul 07 20:10:21 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-software[16887]: Failed to find one package for byobu.desktop, /usr/share/applications/byobu.desktop, [0]
Jul 07 20:11:00 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-shell[16521]: JS ERROR: GLib.Error gdm-client: Could not identify the current seat.
Jul 07 20:11:00 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-shell[16521]: JS ERROR: GLib.Error gdm-client: Could not identify the current seat.
Jul 07 20:11:00 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-shell[16521]: JS ERROR: GLib.Error gdm-client: Could not identify the current seat.
Jul 07 20:13:07 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-shell[16521]: JS ERROR: GLib.Error gdm-client: Could not identify the current seat.
Jul 07 20:13:07 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-shell[16521]: JS ERROR: GLib.Error gdm-client: Could not identify the current seat.
Jul 07 20:13:07 ubuntu-s-1vcpu-2gb-nyc1-01 gnome-shell[16521]: JS ERROR: GLib.Error gdm-client: Could not identify the current seat.

[Pierre Ossman]

On 7/8/19 3:18 AM, N He wrote:
> As of now I am able to connect to the Ubuntu VPS through TigerVNC Viewer on
> my Windows machine however I am getting a frozen Ubuntu login screen with
> TAB being able to focus the text input field(not delete the characters from
> the submitted password however) and the Cancel button. I cannot excel past
> the login screen.
>

It seems GNOME is upset with something in that case. You can try
reporting it to them, but I'm afraid I think you'll have to wait for the
work on pull request 838. The desktop environments require a much more
advanced startup these days that we do no yet provide.

[N He]

...I'm afraid I think you'll have to wait for the

work on pull request 838. The desktop environments require a much more
advanced startup these days that we do no yet provide.

Okay I looked at request 838 and I was not aware of this overhaul. Thank you!