Start Fedora Server MATE Desktop

Question

I wonder if it's possible to start the MATE Desktop when needed and don't set graphical.target as standard.

installing MATE Desktop is no problem with dnf group. But startx always says X Server is offline etc...

What am I doing wrong?! Sometimes I just don't want to do stuff with nano/vim etc...

Edit: Using Fedora 23 Server in Virtual Box (testing)

Answer 1

This should cover most bases:

1. yum -y update kernel and reboot
2. yum -y install dkms kernel-devel kernel-headers
3. yum -y install epel-release
4. yum -y groups install "MATE Desktop"
5. Install the Virtual Box Guest additions and reboot

It's important to install the VirtualBox Guest Additions after installing MATE so that they find the X Server installation. That way they arrange the necessary graphical drivers. Finally, to avoid having to setup a graphical default target;

6. echo "exec /usr/bin/mate-session" >> ~/.xinitrc
7. startx

If you still get that "X Server is offline" issue then try yum -y groupinstall "X Window System" and reinstall the VirtualBox Guest Additions.

As was commented above, this would have been better asked on Unix & Linux. Comprehensive instructions for installing various desktop environments can be found there.