Why am I not given a GUI after installing ubuntu-desktop in Ubuntu Server?

Question

I installed the ubuntu-desktop (apt-get install ubuntu-desktop) but it does not show the GUI and it is not changing. It installed without any problem and I don't know why it does not work.

I select this on the logon screen:

Ubuntu, with Linux 3.0.0-12-generic-pa

and I used this version.

Solution

As some other commenters already noted, it seems that your X is not running. So you have different choices to make:

1. Boot your computer.
2. Login at the prompt. You can use your username and password like at the graphical login.
3. Now there are different ways to go:
   1. Just type startx at the prompt. After some seconds the graphical screen will appear. You can use it like you are used to. After you log out, you will see the old prompt again. Also after your next reboot the system will show you the non-graphic prompt.
   2. You can also run sudo service lightdm start. After some seconds you'll see the login window of lightdm. Login as you are used to. Like at the above mentioned solution at the next boot there will be no graphic window.
   3. Edit the file /etc/init/rc-sysinit.conf and make sure there is a 2 at the line env DEFAULT_RUNLEVEL=2. Save the file and either reboot or choose one of the above mentioned options.

With the last option your system should boot into graphical mode at every time.

Comments

[nilsonneto]

what do you mean by "not changing"? - please describe exactly what is happening when you reboot. What happens if you run sudo service lightdm restart

[William]

At the logon screen, did you select "Ubuntu" as your desktop enviroment? If so and it doesn't work, or if it doesn't appear in the list, then we can't really help you without more information. For example, what version of Ubuntu were you running before installing Ubuntu-Desktop (Kubuntu/Xubuntu/Lubuntu, etc.). What logon screen are you using? What version of Ubuntu or Ubuntu derivative are you running? That should be a good starting point.

[nath68379]

When I reboot my ubuntu server dont have gui.

[Knowledge Cube]

Do you at least see the LightDM login screen, or are you only given a terminal?

[nath68379]

Dont see the LightDM ligin screen.only given a terminal.

[Alan]

Try booting up, log into the terminal, and run service lightdm status. Is lightdm running? If so, maybe change TTY's with ctrl+alt+f7-f12 (f7 is the default).

[ThatsJustCheesy]

typing startx did the trick for me.