Ubuntu Server 16.04.02 with Splash Screen and Kiosk mode

Question

I'm trying to configure a Ubuntu Server 16.04.02 in Kiosk mode with Chrome. It's working but I'm not able to configure a Splash Screen instead of showing boot messages.

Working so far

Steps to create my Chrome Kiosk

1. Installed Ubuntu Server 16.04.02 with OpenSSH Server
2. Updates: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

3. Display Server + Windows Manager: sudo apt install xorg openbox -y

   Note: I tried to install openbox with --no-install-recommends but half of the screen (right side) was black.

4. Google Chrome

   sudo add-apt-repository 'deb [arch=amd64] http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main'
   wget -qO- https://dl-ssl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo apt-key add -
   sudo apt update && sudo apt install google-chrome-stable -y
   

5. Create a "Kiosk" user: sudo adduser kiosk

6. Start Script for Chrome:

   sudo tee -a /home/kiosk/startchrome.sh <<EOF
   #!/bin/bash
   
   # Turn off DPMS (Display Power Management Signaling)
   xset -dpms
   
   # Disable screen saver blanking
   xset s off
   
   # Start OpenBox
   openbox-session &
   
   # Make sure Chrome is always started - restart if needed
   while true; do
     rm -rf ~/.{config,cache}/google-chrome/
     google-chrome --ignore-certificate-errors --kiosk --no-first-run --disable-infobars --disable-session-crashed-bubble --disable-translate         'http://localhost:8080'
   done
   EOF
   

   Make it executable and run on login:

   sudo chmod +x /home/kiosk/startchrome.sh
   echo "/usr/bin/startx /etc/X11/Xsession /home/kiosk/startchrome.sh -- :0 &> /dev/null" | sudo tee -a /home/kiosk/.profile
   

7. Configure Auto-Login:

   Configure Getty:

   sudo mkdir /etc/systemd/system/[email protected]/
   sudo tee -a /etc/systemd/system/[email protected]/autologin.conf <<EOF
   [Service]
   ExecStart=
   ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty --skip-login --noissue --autologin kiosk --noclear %I $TERM
   Type=idle
   EOF
   

   Enable Getty:

   sudo systemctl enable [email protected]
   

8. Hide Banner message on boot

   sudo touch /home/kiosk/.hushlogin
   sudo chown kiosk:kiosk /home/kiosk/.hushlogin
   

Problem - X not starting

I want to remove all Boot Messages. I tried GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash" in /etc/default/grub but now, all I see is a little cursor at the top left of the screen. Chrome is not displayed anymore?

Solution

The kiosk user must be added to the video group! Don't know why it was working before I installed plymouth:

    sudo usermod -a -G audio kiosk
    sudo usermod -a -G video kiosk

Note: I tried my own procedure in Ubuntu 17.04 and i had to do those additional steps:

    sudo apt install xserver-xorg-legacy
    sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg-legacy

Now you select "Anyone" on the menu. Than modify /etc/X11/Xwrapper.config and set:

    needs_root_rights=yes
    allowed_users=anybody

Question - How to configure a new theme

I also want a Splash Screen, I think that I have to install plymouth? What should I install and how to configure it?

Solution

I created a theme based on ubuntu-logo and copied it in /usr/share/plymouth/themes/ than I did:

    sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/share/plymouth/themes/default.plymouth default.plymouth /usr/share/plymouth/themes/MY_THEME/MY_THEME.plymouth 150
    sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth

It will ask for theme selection, I select mine and after you must do:

    sudo update-initramfs -u
    sudo update-grub

Thanks!

Solution 1

The boot messages are avoided by GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash". I don't know why you still get the cursor though.

Anyway, to answer your question about the plymouth, you want to install it by running the command sudo apt-get install plymouth. This should install it to the system. Then, your want to copy all of the contents of /usr/share/plymouth/themes/ubuntu-logo to another folder (Preferably somewhere in the /usr/share/plymouth/themes directory). Then, your most likely want to change the image ubuntu-logo in your newly copied folder. Then, to make the change to the new boot logo, edit the configuration file for plymouth located at /etc/alternatives/default.plymouth. There, change the address for the two lines below to the new folder you created earlier:

ImageDir=/usr/share/plymouth/themes/ubuntu-logo
ScriptFile=/usr/share/plymouth/themes/ubuntu-logo/ubuntu-logo.script

So, for example, I might edit the lines to be like this:

ImageDir=/usr/share/plymouth/themes/mytheme
ScriptFile=/usr/share/plymouth/themes/mytheme/ubuntu-logo.script

Then, save the configuration and reboot. You now should have your boot logo image instead of the regular Ubuntu one.

Solution 2

If you want to get rid of the mouse cursor, when you make the startchrome.sh executable (Make it executable and run on login:) just add -nocursor e.g.:

sudo chmod +x /home/kiosk/startchrome.sh  
echo "/usr/bin/startx /etc/X11/Xsession /home/kiosk/startchrome.sh -- -nocursor :0" | sudo tee -a /home/kiosk/.profile  

Comments

[LucaM]

Hey, I'm just asking for help with the same settings but applied to 18.04. Could you please take a look here? askubuntu.com/questions/1043532/…

[JPelletier]

Thanks for explanations on plymouth, but I have to fix grub first. As soon as I set "quiet splash" all I see is a black screen. Chrome no more visible :S

[TechdudeGames]

What is your graphics card? Sometimes it can have an affect on the bootup process.

[JPelletier]

Intel HD Graphics 500

[JPelletier]

Got it!! sudo usermod -a -G audio kiosk && sudo usermod -a -G video kiosk

[TechdudeGames]

Nice! What are you going to use the kiosk for?

[JPelletier]

It's a surveillance system, the kiosk is running our softwares with a web interface.

[TechdudeGames]

Sounds like a good idea!

[JPelletier]

My Theme is working now, but instead of manually changing the /etc/alternatives/default.plymouth file, I did and install. I edited my question with the solution