Connecting to Linux using Touchpad

[doomsayer97]

Hey everybody. I was just wondering if anybody knew a solution to this problem that I have been having. I really like the app Touchpad, and I've used it previously on my step-dad's Windows machine (ahhhh!!!!) and it worked perfectly fine. But, whenever I try to use it on my Ubuntu computer, I always get the same error over and over again. I've tried changing the ports from 5800, 5900, and 5901, but I always basically get this error:
"Connection failed
Connection could not be made to VNC server 127.*.*.* port (insert port here)"

So, does anyone know how to solve this problem?

[nickmc01]

try this: HOWTO - Linux VNCserver

[doomsayer97]

Thanks for the link, but two questions:

One, how is this supposed to let me view my desktop using Touchpad Pro on my iPod Touch and
Two, I get lost when he starts talking about this:

Using vi (vim) to edit the xstartup file, make sure your file matches this one:


#!/bin/sh

# Uncomment the following two lines for normal desktop:
unset SESSION_MANAGER
exec /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc

[ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup
[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
xsetroot -solid grey
vncconfig -iconic &
xterm -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &
startx &


Notice that the last line is "startx &" as this command will launch Gnome upon login via VNCserver. If you are using a KDE desktop, the line "startkde &" should replace the last line.

Logging in, you will be presented with a Gnome or KDE desktop.

Any help?

[Charlie708]

You need to start a VNCserver on the linux machine, as TouchPad Pro is a VNC client, and connects to a server.

As for the second part, you need to change to the directory where xstartup is (its in /root/.vnc) and open it with a text editor. Did you install a VNC server on your linux machine?

[doomsayer97]

I did install a VNC server on my Linux machine. Although, I used WINE to run it. Is that what is causing the problem?

[Charlie708]

Possibly. If you can get a native VNC server running, it would probably work better.

[doomsayer97]

Well, I opened up Synaptic and I searched for "TightVNC". I came up with some results. I installed TightVNCServer and not TightVNCViewer seeing as I would be using my iPod touch to view my computer, now the other way around. So, I installed the latest version (1.2.9 I believe) and it went through, no problem. But the only problem is, now I don't know how to use it ^.^
Any help?

[all2ez]

After some research and trying a bunch of stuff that didn't work I figured out that you can get this to work on Ubuntu without installing anything!

Just use the default remote desktop server (vino) in
System>Preferences>Remote Desktop
Check the boxes to 'Allow other users to view your desktop' and 'Allow other users to control your desktop'. You should also definitely set a password. When you click the 'Close' button the server will be running.

That's it! Just go into the Touchpad app on your iPod/iPhone and add a new server with the IP address of your Ubuntu computer.

The key there is to enter the ip address with NO port number because vino defaults to zero as the port number. You will get a message that the 'Connection Failed' if you enter zero as the port number. Use the following settings (as described with screenshots on the Touchpad Pro website Touchpad Pro: Touchpad Pro > Setup > Windows )

Name: enter a friendly session name
Address: enter your local ip adress with no port number (ie. 192.168.100.69)
Password: enter the password you set in vino
ScreenView: turn this off unless you bought the ScreenView upgrade
Mac Mode: turn this off
Media Server: turn this off (this only works in Windows)

Connect by tapping the new entry with your friendly session name. You will see a message on the Ubuntu screen that a remote user is connected and the iPod/iPhone will go to a black screen that acts as the touchpad and the buttons at the bottom will bring up the keyboard if you need it.

I haven't purchased the screen view so I don't know if that works but the mouse and keyboard are flawless. I really just tried this for novelty but if I end up using it a lot then I'll pony up for the advanced features. I also have not tried connecting from a different network or without wifi. If anyone else tries the advanced stuff I'd love to know how it works. I am using an 8gb iPod Touch with 1.1.4 firmware and Ubuntu Gutsy on a MacBook.

[doomsayer97]

Thanks for the instructions, they were very clear. But, every time I try to connect, I get the error:

Could not connect to server 192.168.**.* port 5900

So, I checked the box that says use an alternate port (in Vino) and made sure that was set to 5900. Still a no go. Is my IP address on my Ubuntu computer the same as the one that I'm using to connect to the internet from on my iPod? That's the one I'm using.

[hiflyer]

Your ubuntu computer will have its own IP address