How to install VNC server on Raspberry PI

This is a short note on how to install VNC server on Raspberry PI.

Raspberry PI B+

Step 1

The VNC server is not installed by default in Raspbian, so first install using apt-get:

sudo apt-get install tightvncserver

Step 2

Make a script file to start the VNC server:

nano startVNC.sh

Enter the following:

#!/bin/sh
vncserver :0 -geometry 1920x1080 -depth 24 -dpi 96

Save the file; Ctrl+o , Enter and the Ctrl+x.

Step 3

Make the file executable:

chmod +x startVNC.sh

How to install VNC on Beaglebone Black

A short step through on how to install VNC on Beaglebone Black.

Step 1.

SSH into your Beaglebone.

ssh root@192.168.1.117

(Or whatever your BBB IP address is)

Step 2

Install x11vnc.

Angstrom:

opkg install x11vnc

Debian:

sudo apt-get install x11vnc

 Step 3

Start the VNC server

Angstrom:

x11vnc -bg -o %HOME/.x11vnc.log.%VNCDISPLAY -auth /var/run/gdm/auth-for-gdm*/database -display :0 -forever

Debian:

x11vnc -bg -o %HOME/.x11vnc.log.%VNCDISPLAY -auth /var/run/lightdm/root/:0 -forever

 Step 4

Create a script file to make life easier to start the VNC server.

nano startVNC.sh

Add this to the file:

#!/bin/bash
x11vnc -bg -o %HOME/.x11vnc.log.%VNCDISPLAY -auth /var/run/lightdm/root/:0 -forever

Save the file using commands Ctrl+o press Enter and the Ctrl+x.

Make the script executable:

chmod a+x startVNC.sh

Execute the script:

./startVNC.sh