2009-04-11, 07:48
I've been working on an extremely lightweight install for my xbmc dedicated htpc, and since I'm an Arch user I decided to base it on that rather than the much more common Ubuntu.
I'm not saying either is better, only that I use Arch and "the arch way" is generally much more streamlined (for better and worse).
Anyhow, there are posts on how to get ubuntu to boot directly into xbmc so I thought I'd post my steps and success with Arch.
These steps may be a bit vague as they are meant more for someone with at least a little experience with Arch, but if you're interested please don't let that discourage you, the Arch wiki and forums should be able to answer any questions you may have.
1) Install Arch using the beginner's guide
2) Install yaourt using AUR
3) Install xbmc. using Yaourt [yaourt -S xbmc] or [yaourt -S xbmc-svn]
4) Install mingetty using Yaourt [yaourt -S mingetty]
5) edit /etc/inittab to use mingetty to autologin (see arch wiki here)
6) edit /home/USER/.xinitrc - add "/usr/bin/xbmc --standalone" without quotes.
7) edit /home/USER/.bashrc - add "startx" without quotes to the end
*optional steps*
8) Install lirc to use your MCE remote [pacman -S lirc] check the arch wiki and mythtv wiki and this post for good info on configuring your remote.
9) Suspend should work from within xbmc, if not, try adding this to /etc/PolicyKit/PolicyKit.conf
That's it. You will have a dedicated htpc that boots directly into xbmc. My p4 machine boots in about 18 seconds without any sort of optimization being done yet.
I'll add further steps later as I customize my install. I plan on configuring rtorrent to use rss and to autoboot in the background as well (and eventually find a webgui for it so I can control the torrents from my main computer) but I've never used rtorrent before and I'm waiting on my new power supply since the one I was using for this build has been generously donated to a friend in need.
I also plan on installing openbox under a second user so that I can login and access a full desktop if I desire.
I hope this helps with anyone else looking for a very lightweight alternative.
I'm not saying either is better, only that I use Arch and "the arch way" is generally much more streamlined (for better and worse).
Anyhow, there are posts on how to get ubuntu to boot directly into xbmc so I thought I'd post my steps and success with Arch.
These steps may be a bit vague as they are meant more for someone with at least a little experience with Arch, but if you're interested please don't let that discourage you, the Arch wiki and forums should be able to answer any questions you may have.
1) Install Arch using the beginner's guide
2) Install yaourt using AUR
3) Install xbmc. using Yaourt [yaourt -S xbmc] or [yaourt -S xbmc-svn]
4) Install mingetty using Yaourt [yaourt -S mingetty]
5) edit /etc/inittab to use mingetty to autologin (see arch wiki here)
6) edit /home/USER/.xinitrc - add "/usr/bin/xbmc --standalone" without quotes.
7) edit /home/USER/.bashrc - add "startx" without quotes to the end
*optional steps*
8) Install lirc to use your MCE remote [pacman -S lirc] check the arch wiki and mythtv wiki and this post for good info on configuring your remote.
9) Suspend should work from within xbmc, if not, try adding this to /etc/PolicyKit/PolicyKit.conf
That's it. You will have a dedicated htpc that boots directly into xbmc. My p4 machine boots in about 18 seconds without any sort of optimization being done yet.
I'll add further steps later as I customize my install. I plan on configuring rtorrent to use rss and to autoboot in the background as well (and eventually find a webgui for it so I can control the torrents from my main computer) but I've never used rtorrent before and I'm waiting on my new power supply since the one I was using for this build has been generously donated to a friend in need.
I also plan on installing openbox under a second user so that I can login and access a full desktop if I desire.
I hope this helps with anyone else looking for a very lightweight alternative.