Tiny Core Linux
Tiny Core Extensions => TCE Q&A Forum => Topic started by: Drew on February 10, 2014, 10:58:17 AM
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Real Tinycore noob here, just set up account. Have been running the current edition as of 02/07/2014. Like it a lot. Exploring it's use at the thin client level. Have it running on an Igel 5+ years old. Seems to be running well. Have installed rdesktop backend, have successfully connected to WIN Server 2008R2 without error. This is great news, as the old .rdp client built into the Igel/linux OS was out of date, and no longer supported, which again, brings us to where we are now with trying to hang on to 50 or so thin clients, and keep using them.
My issue is more related to a huge brain @%#$ I think, because I have seen posts related to installing XDrdesktop as a suitable GUI for rdesktop. Problem is, I can't find it in the apps browser, or if it's not supposed to be there, I'm at a loss as to how to get it installed. I feel like I'm almost there, but am missing that one piece of the puzzle being clouded by the brain fog.
Please, what am I missing? Thanks ahead of time.
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Hi Drew
XDrdesktop is just a script. It looks like all its dependencies are already in TC5.x so you should be able to just copy it from
the TC4.x repository. Open a terminal and:
wget -c http://repo.tinycorelinux.net/4.x/x86/tcz/XDrdesktop.tcz
wget -c http://repo.tinycorelinux.net/4.x/x86/tcz/XDrdesktop.tcz.depCopy the files to your tce directory. Use the Apps utility to check for and install missing dependencies. Please report
back on how it went.
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Hi Rich,
Thanks for the quick response. However, I'm getting a server not found error on the first command that you gave, haven't tried the second one yet.
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Hi Drew
Sorry about that, try:
wget -c http://repo.tinycorelinux.net/4.x/x86/tcz/xdrdesktop.tcz
wget -c http://repo.tinycorelinux.net/4.x/x86/tcz/xdrdesktop.tcz.dep
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Thanks for the correction. Got the files. Not sure about TC file structure, not great about copying files via command either, as I don't see a file manager built in. May be one for download, but I would just as soon use this as an opportunity to become more familiar with command, at least enough to move things around. Your other post mentioned to take the two files and copy them to TCE, extensions directory I guess? Can you give me just a little more guidance here as to where things are in TC? Thanks.
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Hi Drew
Yes, you want to copy them to your extensions directory, try:
cp xdrdesk* /etc/sysconfig/tcedir/optional/
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The command worked fine, thanks. Was able to browse to the directory, and run 'ls' and it shows in the specified directory. However, when I go to report missing dependencies, it shows "hsqs^K" (keymap dependency?) dependency is missing, and it errors out while trying to fetch it.
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Hi Drew
A quick Google search seems to suggest it may have something to do with squash file systems, though I don't know why that
should happen. Try using Apps to check which dependencies are installed from this list:
bash.tcz 401408, 0.38 MB
glib1.tcz 81920, 0.08 MB
gtk1.tcz 733184, 0.70 MB
+ libao.tcz 20480, 0.02 MB
libusb.tcz 32768, 0.03 MB
ncurses-common.tcz 12288, 0.01 MB
ncurses.tcz 151552, 0.14 MB
openssl-1.0.0.tcz 1486848, 1.42 MB
pcsc-lite.tcz 57344, 0.05 MB
rdesktop.tcz 143360, 0.14 MB
schumacher-clean-fonts.tcz 28672, 0.03 MB
Xdialog.tcz 36864, 0.04 MB
xdrdesktop.tcz 16384, 0.02 MBAnd have it install the ones that are missing. Then have it load xdrdesktop.tcz , there should be a Local function for that.
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Missing dependencies from list were ncurses-common.tcz, and ncurses.tcz. Installed those, but still shows the hsqs.tcz dependency is missing, and fails to resolve it. When I go to RUNprogram and try to start xdrdesktop, it's as if it's not even there. Also, you mentioned squashFS. I'm not sure we're talking about the same thing, but I have this installed on a CF card formatted to ext2.
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Hi Drew
Enter this in a terminal:
tce-load -i /etc/sysconfig/tcedir/optional/xdrdesktop.tczIf you get an error, post the exact error message. You can copy from the terminal by holding down the left mouse button
and highlighting the text. Then paste into the browser by clicking the middle button.
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Hi Rich,
Entered the command, and message says:
hsqs
not found!
That's essentially saying the same thing that the dependency check did. It's looking for hsqs, but it's not there. Not sure how to resolve that yet.
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Hi Drew
OK, I think I know what happened. One of the .tcz files is probably corrupted. hsqs is the signature at the beginning of
a squashed file which is what .tcz files are. Try this:
cd /etc/sysconfig/tcedir/optional/
wget -c http://repo.tinycorelinux.net/4.x/x86/tcz/xdrdesktop.tcz.md5.txt
for i in `ls *.md5.txt`; do md5sum -c $i; doneSee if any errors are reported and redownload those extensions
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Hi Drew
If you use this for the last command in my previous post:
for i in `ls *.md5.txt`; do md5sum -c $i | grep -v OK; doneit will only report the extensions with bad checksums.
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Hi Rich,
Will tackle it tomorrow, closing up shop for today. Thanks, will let you know how it goes.
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Hi Rich,
Finally got it working after re-downloading the extensions, running the dependency check again, and updating dep files. Not sure how the other file got corrupted, but anyway -- all is well that ends well. Two problems though: I guess I didn't configure the installation correctly, as it did not keep my extensions upon reboot. I'm sure I told the installer to create the tce directory, but maybe I missed a step. It's like nothing is there anymore except rdesktop which looks to be built in.
I'm wondering if it isn't easier to simply build a looping .rdp script that runs at boot so a user is simply presented with a login screen. If he/she doesn't login in time, then the script loops so they will get continued login screen presentations. Of course, that will somehow need to be saved so that a reboot doesn't wreck the configuration. That is where I will need further guidance.
Keyboard number pad isn't working either, perhaps I missed a step or two there as well. The credit card reader, however, works flawlessly, a real bonus in my book. It even works through the entire .rdp chain. In other words, our users are connecting to an apps server, and from there, to another apps server that runs our ERP system, which is what finally interacts with the CC reader. It works flawlessly while preserving alt-tab keyboard functions to switch between apps.
If I could find a reasonably simple method of storing a working configuration, then I will roll this out as a method of Igel updates. It seems promising, but my lack of knowledge is the biggest hurdle right now.
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Hi Drew
If you execute:
ls /etc/sysconfig/tcedir/optional/Do you see xdrdesktop.tcz show up?
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Hi Rich,
Just to confirm, I've been messing around with it since my last post, and the extensions are still in the optional folder. However, I discovered through poking around the onboot.lst file. So I added xdrdesktop.tcz to that list, and it appears to be loading at boot now, there's even an icon that occupies a spot on the bar.
I still haven't successfully saved an .rdp file yet that the user can easily select to run. I am also getting a warning message when logging out of the remote session that says the following:
WARNING: rdp_out_unistr: iconv_open[ANSI_X3.4-1968 -> UTF-16LE] fail 0xffffffff
I can confirm that this warning is thrown by the backend, as the same error occurs when running the rdesktop connection from terminal. xdrdesktop will beep at you and throw the warning window up. But running rdesktop in terminal, you have to actually be paying attention to the terminal window where rdesktop is running so you can see the error once you lose your remote window -- no beep though. Not sure if this is still keyboard related, as I also don't have a fully working keyboard yet. Any thoughts?
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Hi Drew
I run freeRDP and get warning messages too when I disconnect. I just ignore them.
I still haven't successfully saved an .rdp file yet that the user can easily select to run.
I wasn't aware that there were .rdp files. Though I don't use it, I happened to have xdrdesktop installed and all I find is
a file called xdrdesktoprc under .rdesktop in the home directory.
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Typically, you have the option on .rdp GUI clients, like tsclient (another rdesktop frontend, I think for gtk) for example, to actually save a configuration, or hard code it in a manner of speaking. It will generally save in the .rdp file extension (remote desktop protocol). In either case, I would like to be able to run the correct rdesktop script at boot, or have a clearly visible .rdp file for any of our users to click on and run.
Must be something to the warning, but probably not harmful. I do not get the warning on the Linux Mint box. Oh well.
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Hi Drew
WARNING: rdp_out_unistr: iconv_open[ANSI_X3.4-1968 -> UTF-16LE] fail 0xffffffff
Try installing glibc_gconv.tcz and see if it goes away.
I use a script to connect to remote machines. If you want an icon to click on, you might want to create a personal extension
for that. There is information in the Wiki on that topic.
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I actually don't mind running a script, something that would run at start-up so the user is presented with the login screen almost immediately. But in case the user doesn't enter credentials soon enough, before the login screen goes away, then they will have to have some sort of recourse. I supposed if the script is looping, then they will get the screen again in short order? Is that advisable?
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Hi Drew
I would have the script prompt for the credentials and then pass them on to rdesktop.
Since I'm the only one using my computer I have my credentials included in the script so logon is automatic.
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Two things: First, not good at scripting really, need some guidance there. I know how to used rdesktop in terminal, but as far as creating a script, I'm a bit lost.
Second, this script would need to run automatically upon boot, and if the user fails to enter credentials in time, the script would loop, or give them the login screen again if necessarily. I suppose the script would also have to stop upon successful login. If the user gets kicked off their session, then somehow the script would have to be re-run. So I there, I think it starts to get a bit dicey.
Maybe building my own extension is the way to go after all.
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Hi Drew
I'm not very good at scripting either, mainly because I don't do it very often. I often use system scripts as guidelines and
for ideas. /usr/bin/ contains scripts beginning with tce- along with others. Here's something to try to get you started.
create a file in your home directory under .local/bin/ called loginremote.sh containing:
#!/bin/sh
USERNAME=""
PASSWORD=""
while true
do
echo -n "Username: "
read USERNAME
echo -n "Password: "
read PASSWORD
echo $USERNAME $PASSWORD
rdesktop -u "$USERNAME" -p "$PASSWORD"
doneAdd whatever other parameters you need to the rdesktop line. After you have created the file, execute:
chmod 755 ~/.local/bin/login.shThat will make it executable. Now create a file called loginremote in the .wmx directory. It should contain:
loginremote.sh &This will automatically start the loginremote.sh script once the GUI is displayed.
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There is such an RDP example chapter in the core book, with a looping startup.
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Rich,
After rebooting, the scripts no longer exist, so again, I haven't correctly installed TC in a way that makes changes like this persistent.
But, I appreciate the info, I'm sure it will help once I get bigger issues resolved.
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Hi curaga
You'd think I would have known that, but I guess proofreading is not the same as reading for content.
@Drew: curaga has written a very fine book on Tinycore which in my opinion is a must read for all newcomers to Tinycore.
http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php/topic,16617.msg99213.html#msg99213
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Hi Drew
After rebooting, the scripts no longer exist,
Did you run a backup?
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I did not run a backup, again, not something I'm familiar with having to do to remember a system state. But I suppose the bigger issue is I should read the book first.
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Hi Drew
You do use the Exit icon on the bottom the the screen to reboot, don't you? There's a small dialog window that pops up
when you do. Backup Options is listed there and should be set to Backup.
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Hi Drew
Post the result of:
showbootcodes
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Hi Rich,
I started from scratch by installing Core to the CF card again. I did it as a Frugal install to the whole card. Installed with no boot codes specified. Looks like the tce directory was created just fine. Built the script per your specs and saved in .local/bin. Ran the command to make it executable, but got a handful of usage guidelines back, guess that didn't work. Also created the .sh file in .wmx, but that disappeared after shutdown/reboot.
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Hi Drew
Post the results of:
showbootcodes
mount | grep -v loop
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Hi Rich,
Sorry it's been so long since getting back, been busy on other things. I know you've requested for me to post results of showboot codes, and I haven't forgotten that. But I wanted to actually get a working .sh before moving on. Good news is, I finally got a working script to at least launch rdesktop with correct configuration, prompting user for standard win server credentials.
Script is simply:
#!/bin/sh
rdesktop "plus whatever string of parameters here"
Installing glibc_gconv.tcz did clear up warnings in rdesktop, thanks for that.
By spending some time with it, things are starting to clear up, and work a bit smoother. As far as extensions go, we need very few, which is a really good thing. Users will get everything they need on the apps server they will be connecting to. Decided not to make the script run at boot, too many unknowns. For now, user can simply type the name of the .sh script in the RUN program field and away they go. Would be nice to have an icon on the bar though.
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Hi Drew
There are instructions for creating personal icons here:
http://wiki.tinycorelinux.net/wiki:creating_personal_icons
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As it relates to XDrdesktop, I should technically call it solved, as I got the extension to work. Now if I could only get cups to work. Different topic.
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As it relates to XDrdesktop, I should technically call it solved, as I got the extension to work. Now if I could only get cups to work. Different topic.
Thanks Rich, that may come in handy. As you may have noted, having a problem with cups. Can't seem to get it going. Suppose I should start another topic. I've seen some of the older threads on a similar issue, but no luck.
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Hi Drew
Definitely start a new thread.