Linux HOW-TO make XBMC for Linux auto start on Ubuntu

MrCerulean · 2008-10-06 04:30

I built a media centre PC specifically to run XBMC on Linux. I'm using the PPA's on Hardy Heron (8.04). Since this box is only going to run XBMC, I thought I'd get it to power up, log in and fire up XBMC automatically.

Keep in mind that these steps are for Ubuntu. Other distro's may differ.

Login as the user who installed XBMC. I find it easier to do all this from my laptop, ssh'd in to the XBMC box.

Using your favourite editor, create a file in your home directory called .xinitrc that contains the following:

Code:

#!/bin/bash

exec /usr/bin/xbmc --standalone

Make .xinitrc executable:

Code:

chmod +x .xinitrc

Edit your .bashrc and add the following as the last line:

Code:

startx

Install rcconf:

Code:

sudo apt-get install rcconf

Run rcconf and turn off gdm:

Code:

sudo rcconf

Install mingetty:

Code:

sudo apt-get install mingetty

Edit /etc/events.d/tty1:

Code:

sudo vi /etc/events.d/tty1

Change the line:

Code:

exec /sbin/getty 38400 tty1

to read:

Code:

exec /sbin/mingetty --autologin uname tty1

where uname is the user who installed XBMC.

Reboot to test.

With this setup, you're not loading gdm or gnome. You're not loading a window manager. The load will be lighter and the boot process will be faster.

Please let me know if there are any questions! Thanks to AlTheKiller for some pointers.

**malloc** · 2008-10-06 07:05

great howto. this would be great in the wiki. ask pike for ninja status if you'd like to contribute it and you need write access.

**althekiller** · 2008-10-06 07:52

Looks good. I would however edit .bash_login instead of .bashrc and/or wrap launching startx with an "if x`pidof X` = ''x" ; then startx; fi" (or similar) to stop launching multiple instances if you open an xterm or login another tty.

QuietTime · 2008-10-07 02:09

Forgive me for being a linux noob, but where should the first file you create (.xinitrc) be located?

MrCerulean · 2008-10-07 17:39

The .xinitrc file should be in your home directory. I'll clarify that...

proctor · 2008-10-08 00:42

Anyone know what to check to find out why I lose my sound when I set XBMC to autostart? The sound works if i go back to gdm.

MrCerulean · 2008-10-08 01:29

Try renaming your .xinitrc to off.xinitrc (mv .xinitrc off.xinitrc). Reboot the system. You should wind up in a terminal logged in as your XBMC user. Run alsamixer and see if all the sound points are turned on.

To restore XBMC startup, mv off.xinitrc .xinitrc and reboot again.

covert · 2008-10-08 06:41

My Ubuntu auto logs me in (mythbuntu). This is the default file that starts MythTV. Easy to change it to start XBMC..

~/.config/autostart/mythtv.desktop

Code:

[Desktop Entry]

Name=MythTV Frontend

Comment=A frontend for all content on a mythtv-backend

GenericName=MythTV Viewer

Exec=mythfrontend --service

Type=Application

Encoding=UTF-8

Icon=/usr/share/mythtv/themes/blue/myth_tv_logo.png

Categories=GNOME;Application;AudioVideo;Audio;Video

X-AppInstall-Package=mythtv

Chaos_666 · 2008-10-08 10:53

Hi there
Great Howto, thats exactly how i solved this problem, before there was this howto.

But what happens if you press the Off Button on the remote or shuts it down via menu?
Here it quits xbmc but stays in X?!

Anyone knows a solution for that?

THX
Chaos

proctor · 2008-10-08 16:15

MrCerulean Wrote:Try renaming your .xinitrc to off.xinitrc (mv .xinitrc off.xinitrc). Reboot the system. You should wind up in a terminal logged in as your XBMC user. Run alsamixer and see if all the sound points are turned on.

To restore XBMC startup, mv off.xinitrc .xinitrc and reboot again.

Thanks, I booted to terminal and found out that my user 'xbmc' was not a member of the 'audio' group.

I did: sudo adduser xbmc audio

Restarted and everything works as advertised.

QuietTime Junior Member Posts: 15 Joined: Mar 2008 Reputation: 0	2008-10-07 02:09 Post: #4 Forgive me for being a linux noob, but where should the first file you create (.xinitrc) be located?
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MrCerulean Junior Member Posts: 4 Joined: Oct 2008 Reputation: 0	2008-10-07 17:39 Post: #5 The .xinitrc file should be in your home directory. I'll clarify that...
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proctor Senior Member Posts: 113 Joined: Aug 2008 Reputation: 0	2008-10-08 00:42 Post: #6 Anyone know what to check to find out why I lose my sound when I set XBMC to autostart? The sound works if i go back to gdm. Ubuntu 10.10 i686, Intel E8400, Intel DG45ID, 4GB DDR2 800, LG GH22LS30, 8GB USB Drive, Zalman HD160+, Zalman ZM600-HP, Logitech Harmony One, Logitech Dinovo Mini
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MrCerulean Junior Member Posts: 4 Joined: Oct 2008 Reputation: 0	2008-10-08 01:29 Post: #7 Try renaming your .xinitrc to off.xinitrc (mv .xinitrc off.xinitrc). Reboot the system. You should wind up in a terminal logged in as your XBMC user. Run alsamixer and see if all the sound points are turned on. To restore XBMC startup, mv off.xinitrc .xinitrc and reboot again.
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Chaos_666 Senior Member Posts: 147 Joined: Sep 2008 Reputation: 11 Location: Germany	2008-10-08 10:53 Post: #9 Hi there Great Howto, thats exactly how i solved this problem, before there was this howto. But what happens if you press the Off Button on the remote or shuts it down via menu? Here it quits xbmc but stays in X?! Anyone knows a solution for that? THX Chaos
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