[mythtv-users] Installing Mythbuntu (backend) on a HP ProLiant MicroServer - N40L

[Mike Perkins]

On 21/09/12 11:15, Michael Watson wrote:
> On 21/09/2012 7:28 PM, Damian wrote:
>> Hello all,
>>
>> I have never installed the 'server edition' of anything before, let alone owed
>> a headless machine of any kind.
>>
>> I have a HP ProLiant MicroServer - N40L on it's way to me and I want to put
>> Ubuntu on there and the MythTV backend. It's also effectively going to be the
>> NAS for my house and the music server (using Logitec Media Server ..
>> Squeezebox Server).
>>
>> How do you install an OS on a headless system? I know about and use VNC, but
>> don't you need an OS first before you can install and use VNC?
>>
>> Do I need to install the server edition of Ubuntu, or can I install the
>> standard version?
>> Does the server version of Ubuntu have a GUI or is it all text based?
>> If it's all text based, can I install the Mythbuntu backend? I'm sure others
>> have done this, so there must be a way.
>>
>> Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on my next step into geekdom :-)
>>
> Plug a keyboard / monitor in to install initial OS.
> With keyboard / monitor still attached, log in, setup your static IP Address
> (all servers should have a static IP address).  After you have got your static
> ip address working, check that your internet is still working  and install
> openssh and mythtv-backend using (on ubuntu).
>
> sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
> sudo apt-get install mythtv-backend-master openssh-server
> sudo reboot
>
> This will install MythTV backend server, and all its required dependents,
> including mysql server.
>
Learned the hard way: *Before* you put it in the cupboard, test it to make sure 
that (i) it will run without a keyboard (Usually a BIOS option: Halt on all 
except keyboard) and (ii) it will run without a monitor attached!

I found that Intel video chipsets are particularly difficult in the second 
respect. What I have ended up doing is forcing the 'Vesa' driver in xorg.conf 
which gets round that problem. When it's in the cupboard, you won't want to 
connect directly to it with a screen and keyboard, will you? If you have to, for 
diagnostic reasons, the Vesa driver is perfecly adequate for use in any case.

-- 

Mike Perkins