Get Synergy running before login [with LDM]

[DWAM_GDL]

Hi !

My 1st post on this forum after many years of consulting. Thanks to members, I learned a lot round here...

I decided to evaluate newer versions of Kubuntu lately, so that I can replace older machines running 8.04 and 10.04. I installed 12.04 64 bits and 13.10 32 bits on test machines to setup the configs (with my requirements). So far so good except a few things I need help with.

My first problem concerns Synergy. I had to install Synergy 1.3.8 (because the "server" is 1.3.8). It works perfectly when I run synergyc <server>. But I need it running before login.

According to Ubuntu documentation (https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynergyHowto) :

Autostart Synergy before logging in (LightDM)
On the client, add the following line at the end of /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf:
greeter-setup-script=/usr/bin/synergyc <SERVER HOSTNAME>
Where <SERVER HOSTNAME> is the name/IP of the server you are connecting to.

but it doesn't work for Kubuntu

Ubuntu's Wiki for LightDM indicates (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LightDM):

Autorun a Command
You can run a command when the X Starts, when the greeter starts or when the user session starts

Autorun a Command when X starts
When lightdm starts X you can run a command or script, like xset perhaps.
display-setup-script=[script|command]

Autorun a Command when the Greeter starts
You can do something similar when the greeter starts:
greeter-setup-script=[script|command]

Autorun a Command when the User Session starts
If you want to spawn something when the user session starts, you can do it with:
session-setup-script=[script|command]

Tried these 3 options. None worked for me on Kubuntu 13.10 32 bits. I guess something's missing to have it working in KDE, when many users with Ubuntu/Gnome report success.

Spent last 2 days trying to get it working, googled a lot, but nothing seems to work. Any ideas ? Has someone found a way to do it ?

TIA...

Bien à vous,
Guillaume

[oshunluvr]

Have you tried using Xstartup instead of Lightdm?

[DWAM_GDL]

Hi!

Thx for your answer. No, I did not try yet... I only started to the read the doc about it this afternoon, while searching an answer everywhere.

BTW, I finally got something working for Synergy to autostart with KDE autostart but AFTER logging in (so I still need a keyboard to type my password). Not bad but not good enough.

I will investigate this Xstartup option. Do you have a good reference to start with ?

[oshunluvr]

No, just a stab in the dark. I use Synergy, but only periodically so I didn't need to do what you're attempting.

The issue is Synergy requires an X session to be running before it can start. You may be able to avoid the password issue by using a config file to store details.

I would try the method listed here under Autostart Synergy before logging in (KDM) :

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynergyHowto

Also, your network connection must be up prior to Synergy. Usually not an issue if you're using wired ethernet.

[DWAM_GDL]

OK... I knew this KDM method (well I had already read this page) but it is for KDE 3 and KDM. Kubuntu 13.10 has KDE 4 and LDM so most of the files mentionned here do not exist anymore (/etc/kde4/ folder is empty in 13.10).

I also have the same situation with Synergy and Kubuntu 12.04 which has KDE4 and KDM. I will give it a try first. For the moment the KDE autostart "after logging in" solution is not so bad (and works the same way on 12.04 and 13.10)

I also have XDMCP issues with LDM in 13.10. I think I will need more help soon.

Thanks...

[oshunluvr]

Sorry, I didn't notice the kdm3 reference. Xstartup is now in /etc/X11/. It looks to me like the GDM instructions have a good chance of working.

Create a session file /etc/X11/Xsession.d/85synergyc with the following contents

/usr/bin/killall synergyc
while [ $(pgrep -x synergyc) ]; do sleep 0.1; done
/usr/bin/synergyc <SERVER HOSTNAME>

and made the file executable, it should run when the X session is started.

It certainly won't break anything so it's worth a try.

[DWAM_GDL]

This gives me exactly the same situation (as with KDE autostart) : Synergy's activated just after logging in, but not before I need to type my password.

Before doing what you suggest (with sudo privileges), I deactivated my autostart script (to be sure there is no conflict or confusion).

You're right it was worth a try... Maybe I could try to name this file '79synergyc' to have it executed a little earlier ? What do you think ? Is there a log file I can check to get more information ?

[DWAM_GDL]

This method is more interesting than the one with KDE autostart, as it works for all users. This is a good point.

[Guest]

Hi, DWAM_GDL!
I'm interesting in your problem as I want synergy to work before login in too.
Do you have any new thoughts?

[DWAM_GDL]

Hi Ilyaik

nothing more to tell. I followed Oshunluvr's advice : Create a session file /etc/X11/Xsession.d/85synergyc (see above)

It does not work before login (but just after), but I decided to never reboot, so I'm ok with it ! ;o)

I couldn't find a better way to deal with this issue. KDE autostart option is also working and gives the same result.

If you find something, let me know, I'm still interested.