XFCE tweaks for layout/theme/toolbar

plu · 2020-02-10 05:52:09

I'm using Mint 19.3 XFCE and its default main desktop is decent. However, the (XFCE) desktops for VNC are somewhat different, and dysfunctional. In particular, windows don't have the borders for re-sizing or the minimize-maximize-close buttons. The toolbar (and launch tool) in the case of VNC (first time) started via SSH (rather than from the main desktop) is different from the one on the desktop.

How can I configure the VNC desktops to be just like the main desktop? There are just too many settings.

I have snapshots of these desktops, but don't know how to attach them to this post.

plu · 2020-02-10 07:20:48

I have the VNC desktop pretty much like the main desktop now. Just a matter of messing with the panel(s) to add and delete items.

The remaining issue is how to get the borders and min-max-close buttons showing on windows in the VNC desktop.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

Aravisian · 2020-02-10 08:00:57

Plu, I wish I could help you with Virtual Network configuration, but I do not know.
However, I think helping you to be able to post screenshots Sooner rather than Later, may help you find the help you need.

https://forum.xfce.org/help.php#bbcode

Images must be hosted on a site you can link to. There are many out there... I randomly chose Imgur and created an account solely for use with this Forum. But you can pick whichever suits you. Upload your screenshots and then supply the link to it, here.

Good luck- and I will be searching the DuckDuckgo for any information I can find on VNC and XFWM4 rendering in the meantime.

ToZ · 2020-02-10 11:59:04

plu wrote:

n particular, windows don't have the borders for re-sizing or the minimize-maximize-close buttons.

Sounds like xfwm4 isn't running.

In addition to the screenshot that Aravisian mentions, how have you configured VNC? Can you post your ~/.xstartup file?

Can you also detail out your VNC over SSH configuration?

plu · 2020-02-10 16:50:47

I uploaded the snapshots to:

https://ibb.co/YkK4Hb8

The imgBB upload/download may have some expiration time.

The first desktop is the main desktop.

The second is a VNC desktop started with running vncserver from the main desktop.

The third is a VNC desktop started with running vncserver via SSH (on a different machine similarly installed from scratch).

I was able to get the third desktop looking like the second by moving/adding/removing stuff from panel(s).

The outstanding issue is the (emacs and any other) window in the second/third desktop does not have the border and min-max-close buttons as that in the first desktop.

Thanks for any/all help.

ToZ · 2020-02-10 16:54:48

The window manager isn't running. Try running:

xfwm4 --replace

...in a terminal window.

Also, post back your logs.

plu · 2020-02-10 21:59:27

I ran "xfwm4 --replace" in Bash in the VNC desktop and got the following. It looks like xfwm4 does (attempt to) run, but can't deal with the virtual display, or some options are missing.

Thanks for suggestions/ideas.

(xfwm4:15882): xfwm4-WARNING **: 16:51:39.907: XSync extension too old (3.0).

(xfwm4:15882): xfwm4-WARNING **: 16:51:39.908: The display does not support the XRender extension.

(xfwm4:15882): xfwm4-WARNING **: 16:51:39.908: The display does not support the XRandr extension.

(xfwm4:15882): xfwm4-WARNING **: 16:51:39.917: The display does not support the XComposite extension.

(xfwm4:15882): xfwm4-WARNING **: 16:51:39.918: The display does not support the XDamage extension.

(xfwm4:15882): xfwm4-WARNING **: 16:51:39.918: The display does not support the XFixes extension.

(xfwm4:15882): xfwm4-WARNING **: 16:51:39.919: The display does not support the XPresent extension.

(xfwm4:15882): xfwm4-WARNING **: 16:51:39.919: Compositing manager disabled.

Waiting for current window manager (Xfwm4) on screen :1.0 to exit: Done
xfwm4-Message: 16:51:40.384: Unsupported keyboard modifier '<Super>Tab'

(xfwm4:15882): xfwm4-WARNING **: 16:51:40.398: Cannot find visual format on screen 0

This post looks like the same problem...

https://github.com/EXALAB/AnLinux-App/issues/151

The VNC xstartup is:

#!/bin/sh

unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS

xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
startxfce4 &

Perhaps the unset stuff causes problems, but without them, the desktop doesn't even show up. There is no .Xresources file.

Last edited by plu (2020-02-11 00:27:21)

plu · 2020-02-11 05:09:59

I installed Ubuntu 18.4 XFCE, on which Mint 19.3 is based, and it does windows decorations in VNC XFCE desktops just fine (as others have indicated). So, Mint somehow messes up this set-up.

Don't know how to carry the Ubuntu XFCE config over to Mint, if it's even possible.

But, at least this is a data point.

I prefer Mint XFCE because it has the smallest memory footprint and would run well with minimal, old, hardware.

After a little more experimentation and evaluation, just decided to use Ubuntu 18.04 with Xbuntu (XFCE) minimal, which has a smaller footprint than Mint 19.3 anyway, and is more clean as far as VNC desktops are concerned.

Last edited by plu (2020-02-12 23:44:42)

meeotch · 2020-04-06 16:08:27

I take it from your last message that you ended up bailing on Mint altogether? Did anyone find a fix for this issue? I've got the exact same symptoms, on a headless server with newly-installed Mint 19.3.

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#1 2020-02-10 05:52:09

XFCE tweaks for layout/theme/toolbar

#2 2020-02-10 07:20:48

Re: XFCE tweaks for layout/theme/toolbar

#3 2020-02-10 08:00:57

Re: XFCE tweaks for layout/theme/toolbar

#4 2020-02-10 11:59:04

Re: XFCE tweaks for layout/theme/toolbar

#5 2020-02-10 16:50:47

Re: XFCE tweaks for layout/theme/toolbar

#6 2020-02-10 16:54:48

Re: XFCE tweaks for layout/theme/toolbar

#7 2020-02-10 21:59:27

Re: XFCE tweaks for layout/theme/toolbar

#8 2020-02-11 05:09:59

Re: XFCE tweaks for layout/theme/toolbar

#9 2020-04-06 16:08:27

Re: XFCE tweaks for layout/theme/toolbar

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