[metalizm]

I built a media centre PC specifically to run XBMC on Linux. I'm using the PPA's on Hardy Heron (8.04). Since this box is only going to run XBMC, I thought I'd get it to power up, log in and fire up XBMC automatically.

Keep in mind that these steps are for Ubuntu. Other distro's may differ.

Login as the user who installed XBMC. I find it easier to do all this from my laptop, ssh'd in to the XBMC box.

Using your favourite editor, create a file in your home directory called .xinitrc that contains the following:

Code:

#!/bin/bash
exec /usr/bin/xbmc --standalone

Forgive me for asking (Linux Newb) but say I want to boot to normal desktop what do I do? (Using Linux Mint latest)

Make .xinitrc executable:

Code:

chmod +x .xinitrc

Edit your .bashrc and add the following as the last line:

Code:

startx

Install rcconf:

Code:

sudo apt-get install rcconf

Run rcconf and turn off gdm:

Code:

sudo rcconf

Install mingetty:

Code:

sudo apt-get install mingetty

Edit /etc/events.d/tty1:

Code:

sudo vi /etc/events.d/tty1

Change the line:

Code:

exec /sbin/getty 38400 tty1

to read:

Code:

exec /sbin/mingetty --autologin uname tty1

where uname is the user who installed XBMC.

Reboot to test.

With this setup, you're not loading gdm or gnome. You're not loading a window manager. The load will be lighter and the boot process will be faster.

Please let me know if there are any questions! Thanks to AlTheKiller for some pointers.