I hate the GDM Login in 2.4 / Karmic

[TheeMahn]

I figure the topic will grab a few peoples attention. I personally hate Ubuntu's move to replace the beautiful GDM with the drab / functionless GDM 2.20+ as is in Karmic+. Let's get this out in the open...

Disclaimer:Should you decide to do what I am going to provide, there is a good chance unless you are an advanced user you may tear up your installation of Ubuntu / Ultimate Edition 2.4+ and require re-installation. I take no responsibility should this happen. Personally, I DO NOT suggest you do this on any production system.

That out of the way let's get down to the brass tacks... What do we have to begin with for customizing the GDM in Karmic / Ultimate Edition 2.4?

Jack Squat

Let's change that, crack open a terminal. Applications >> Accessories >> Terminal
Copy and paste the following:

Code: Select all

echo "sudo apt-get install -y gdm-2.20
cd /etc/gdm
sudo sed 's|X11R6/||' gdm.conf >/tmp/gdm.conf
sudo mv /tmp/gdm.conf .">newgdm.sh
sudo chmod 777 newgdm.sh


That was the easy part, this may scare a few newbies to nix, I am warning you now. Your pretty GUI is about to die and a black screen asking for username and password is about to appear. Before I lose you please read this full post, because you will need to enter the command ./newgdm.sh when sitting at that black screen as well as sudo reboot now. Just a friendly warning. Here we go...
Press CTRL+ALT+F1
Login username and password. Select GDM 2.20 when prompted.
twice for good measure (just to make sure)

Code: Select all

./newgdm
./newgdm
sudo reboot now

Expect issues on first boot trying to find your display, you will eventually make it to the desktop. Hit yes to probe for displays.

Once you make it to the desktop open your login manager System >> Administration >> Login Window:

My buddy is back ;)

You now have the best of both worlds?

Let's Verify...

Enjoy,

TheeMahn

[Driver]

Very impressive tip. I can only surmise that their change in login was an attempt to further speed boot time. I do not feel that saving a few seconds is significant reason for doing so across the board (it would have been a valid option in my book) and I thought that UE2.3 booted fast enough.

With that being said, I am curious. Have you measured to see if this slows booting time (and if so, how much)?

Continued thanks for doing what you do - and for doing it so well!

[everton]

i dont even have a login window option on my system...wonder if i dwnld the unfinished version as some basic stuff are missing from mine

[JOHNNYG]

i dont even have a login window option on my system...wonder if i dwnld the unfinished version as some basic stuff are missing from mine

Hi everton, Maybe you should try downloading and burning a new DVD, And try a new install,That may be the problem, Or, Have you tried to reinstall with your existing DVD ? Just a thought ,

[JOHNNYG]

I had an error when i first installed it, But it has sense repaired itself ! Now Ultimate Edition 2.4 Is truly Ultimate ! And I am sure TheeMahn has plenty more goodies In store! This is the only Ubuntu derivative to have this! We are so lucky to have somebody that not only knows what he's doing but also cares!
Cheers TheeMahn ! Also the scrips work great! A real treat!!!

[TheeMahn]

Very impressive tip. I can only surmise that their change in login was an attempt to further speed boot time. I do not feel that saving a few seconds is significant reason for doing so across the board (it would have been a valid option in my book) and I thought that UE2.3 booted fast enough.

With that being said, I am curious. Have you measured to see if this slows booting time (and if so, how much)?

Continued thanks for doing what you do - and for doing it so well!

I do agree with you, as far as booting was #1 in their mind, I try & stay unbiased. I am trying to bring back your loss until they get it in order.

My boot times should not be considered, I am running a "Rogue" O/S I just checked and 3 sec have been shaved, I will not get into details of what I have done as I built it.

This is what I want to know, would you prefer a Karmic / Ultimate Edition 2.5 based on GDM 2.20 or the 2.20+, I can make that happen in Ultimate Edition 2.5. Admin set up a poll, which do you as the end user prefer GDM 2.20 (a bit slower) or 2.20+ featureless & faster, feel free to make it a global poll results will be in Ultimate Edition 2.5. The users speak and I will listen. Whoever poll's it globally will be famous I do not want biased info so I will not post things as I have today. I guess I am wrong, look at the topic Speak now will be set by one of my admin. A GLOBAL POLL.

Admin, please send me the poll results...
No need for screenshots, admin have it now..

[stanca]

This new great stuff deserves to be posted on my blog too.
Great work around Big Thee.Keep it up on.

[everton]

i reinstall but its more of the same...i was able to get the thing working johnny..

[JOHNNYG]

i reinstall but its more of the same...i was able to get the thing working johnny..

how did you end up getting it to work ?

[maddmike]

Thanks for this, it definitely gets my vote. The only problem I see is that you can't read the user names against the chrome logo. Is there a way to change the font color?