How to get server to work without a monitor

[mattdmg]

So I want to put my computer im using as a server in a closet with just Ethernet running to it. But whenever there isn't a monitor plugged into the computer remote access will not work. Is there a way to get around this without plugging a monitor into it?

[mbntr]

2 minutes ago, mattdmg said:

So I want to put my computer im using as a server in a closet with just Ethernet running to it. But whenever there isn't a monitor plugged into the computer remote access will not work. Is there a way to get around this without plugging a monitor into it?

what program do you use for remote access

[kelvinhall05]

Specs? What OS?

 

Also this doesn't answer your question, but don't put a PC in a closet unless it has good airflow.

[Windows7ge]

What GPU are you using? Most/all AMD GPUs effectively shutdown when a display is not connected. If your remote access client uses GPU acceleration then this arrangement won't work.

[mbntr]

1 minute ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Specs? What OS?

 

Also this doesn't answer your question, but don't put a PC in a closet unless it has good airflow.

don't tell me that! I have a server inside my closet and the temperature does not rise above 32c, sure the PC doesn't use much power (48W)

[kelvinhall05]

Just now, mbntr said:

don't tell me that! I have a server inside my closet and the temperature does not rise above 32c, sure the PC doesn't use much power (48W)

Well that's fine then. But if OP has a decently power hungry and/or hot PC, he's gonna want good airflow in that closet.

[mbntr]

Just now, Windows7ge said:

What GPU are you using? Most/all AMD GPUs effectively shutdown when a display is not connected. If your remote access client uses GPU acceleration then this arrangement won't work.

Usually people use SSH (in linux at least) and that should give you no problems, but, not all want to use the terminal for everything

[Windows7ge]

Just now, mbntr said:

Usually people use SSH (in linux at least) and that should give you no problems, but, not all want to use the terminal for everything

I'm aware, but from my time on the forum a overwhelming number of people who ask for help on servers are usually running Windows so I'm under the assumption right now that he's probably using RDP or TeamViewer.

 

IMO I'd prefer SSH, running a distro like Ubuntu Server. If I need to see what's on the system outside the OS I'd use a motherboard with IPMI/iDRAC/iLO

[mattdmg]

9 minutes ago, mbntr said:

what program do you use for remote access

The one I found is called TightVNC

8 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Specs? What OS?

 

Also this doesn't answer your question, but don't put a PC in a closet unless it has good airflow.

i5 4590, 8GB RAM, Windows 10

 

It's a Minecraft server so I'm not too worried about it

6 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

What GPU are you using? Most/all AMD GPUs effectively shutdown when a display is not connected. If your remote access client uses GPU acceleration then this arrangement won't work.

Onboard graphics for an i5 4590

[kelvinhall05]

Just now, mattdmg said:

The one I found is called TightVNC

i5 4590, 8GB RAM, Windows 10

 

It's a Minecraft server so I'm not too worried about it

Onboard graphics for an i5 4590

Since it's just an MC server just use Ubuntu Server and SSH into it.

[mattdmg]

2 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Since it's just an MC server just use Ubuntu Server and SSH into it.

What would the advantages of using Linux be? I know it's a popular OS for servers but I'm used to Windows. Is it really that easy to use?

[kelvinhall05]

Just now, mattdmg said:

What would the advantages of using Linux be? I know it's a popular OS for servers but I'm used to Windows. Is it really that easy to use?

Well Ubuntu Server is CLI only, but CLI only will free up a lot of system resources (hell even a heavy DE on Linux is equal to or lighter than Windows). It's not hard to learn: tons of guides online for both setting up Ubuntu Server as well as setting up an MC server on it.

[Windows7ge]

32 minutes ago, mattdmg said:

Onboard graphics for an i5 4590

You may be able to trick the system into thinking a display is connected using a little dongle like these. They're popular for crypto miners but have uses in applications like this.

 

36 minutes ago, mattdmg said:

The one I found is called TightVNC

I'm not familiar with TightVNC needing a GPU. What are you using on the client end? VNC Viewer?

 

To be honest I would 2nd GNU/Linux. I don't have one on Minecraft but I have a Ubuntu Server tutorial for making a File Server. Might contain something useful for you.

[mattdmg]

47 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

You may be able to trick the system into thinking a display is connected using a little dongle like these. They're popular for crypto miners but have uses in applications like this.

 

I'm not familiar with TightVNC needing a GPU. What are you using on the client end? VNC Viewer?

 

To be honest I would 2nd GNU/Linux. I don't have one on Minecraft but I have a Ubuntu Server tutorial for making a File Server. Might contain something useful for you.

I am using vnc viewer. I am slide using this machine for storage. Is setting up a way to transfer files between my main Windows 10 machine to the Linux server easy?

[Windows7ge]

15 minutes ago, mattdmg said:

I am using vnc viewer. I am slide using this machine for storage. Is setting up a way to transfer files between my main Windows 10 machine to the Linux server easy?

That's entirely dependent on the distribution you use. For Ubuntu (Debain) it's not hard when using the SAMBA package.

 

Step 5. Configuring SMB/CIFS (samba)

 

[WereCatf]

2 hours ago, mattdmg said:

Is there a way to get around this without plugging a monitor into it?

Unlike the other commenters, I'm not going to recommend you to switch to an unfamiliar OS. Instead, go to eBay, Amazon or similar and buy a dummy HDMI-plug, like e.g. https://www.ebay.com/itm/HDMI-Display-Emulator-DDC-EDID-Headless-Ghost-Dummy-Plug-Grey/183118481879 -- it pretends that there's an HDMI-display connected, completely removing your issue.

[mbntr]

9 hours ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Well that's fine then. But if OP has a decently power hungry and/or hot PC, he's gonna want good airflow in that closet.

Yeah, I would not put something with a graphics card inside a closet,  a low power xeon, maybe but anything else is not advisable, if you value your home not catching fire

[mbntr]

9 hours ago, Windows7ge said:

I'm aware, but from my time on the forum a overwhelming number of people who ask for help on servers are usually running Windows so I'm under the assumption right now that he's probably using RDP or TeamViewer.

 

IMO I'd prefer SSH, running a distro like Ubuntu Server. If I need to see what's on the system outside the OS I'd use a motherboard with IPMI/iDRAC/iLO

that's odd, RDP works without monitor plugged in, I can't say the same for something like Parsec, that requires for a monitor to be plugged in (but not on)

[mbntr]

9 hours ago, mattdmg said:

The one I found is called TightVNC

i5 4590, 8GB RAM, Windows 10

 

It's a Minecraft server so I'm not too worried about it

Onboard graphics for an i5 4590

Do you use the intel integrated graphics? If I remember correctly RDP didn't require the a monitor.

Also if you can, use LInux, it's more reliable and it seems not to have this issue, you can use SSH to remote into the server

[Windows7ge]

5 hours ago, mbntr said:

that's odd, RDP works without monitor plugged in, I can't say the same for something like Parsec, that requires for a monitor to be plugged in (but not on)

I use TightVNC+VNC Viewer but I haven't tried it on a consumer motherboard without a display connected. AFAIK it renders off the CPU.

[Windows7ge]

13 hours ago, WereCatf said:

Unlike the other commenters, I'm not going to recommend you to switch to an unfamiliar OS. Instead, go to eBay, Amazon or similar and buy a dummy HDMI-plug, like e.g. https://www.ebay.com/itm/HDMI-Display-Emulator-DDC-EDID-Headless-Ghost-Dummy-Plug-Grey/183118481879 -- it pretends that there's an HDMI-display connected, completely removing your issue.

I already suggested this. He hasn't responded as to weather or not he likes the idea. Personally I'd go this route first but at the same time learning a new OS isn't a bad thing if he has the time.

[WereCatf]

1 hour ago, Windows7ge said:

I already suggested this. He hasn't responded as to weather or not he likes the idea. Personally I'd go this route first but at the same time learning a new OS isn't a bad thing if he has the time.

I didn't notice, sorry. Those dummy plugs are definitely the easiest and quickest way to go.

[Windows7ge]

33 minutes ago, WereCatf said:

I didn't notice, sorry. Those dummy plugs are definitely the easiest and quickest way to go.

I didn't make the link easy to spot for people glossing over the thread.

 

For a basic Minecraft/Windows Shared Drive I agree with giving those dummy plugs a go first. No need to over complicate things. I am a little sceptical with my own suggestion though since I'm not familiar with Intel iGPUs turning off when a display is disconnected. I'm only familiar with AMD GPUs post-Radeon HD series doing that so I think learning about GNU/Linux is a good second.

 

That or find a trashed flat panel 800x600 monitor off Craigslist or something for $5 and jack it in there.

[mattdmg]

On 6/30/2020 at 12:06 PM, Windows7ge said:

I didn't make the link easy to spot for people glossing over the thread.

 

For a basic Minecraft/Windows Shared Drive I agree with giving those dummy plugs a go first. No need to over complicate things. I am a little sceptical with my own suggestion though since I'm not familiar with Intel iGPUs turning off when a display is disconnected. I'm only familiar with AMD GPUs post-Radeon HD series doing that so I think learning about GNU/Linux is a good second.

 

That or find a trashed flat panel 800x600 monitor off Craigslist or something for $5 and jack it in there.

The plug worked and now TightVNC is working

[Windows7ge]

Just now, mattdmg said:

The plug worked and now TightVNC is working

That's interesting for me to note. I thought the display output/gpu shutting down was only something AMD was using.

 

This also gives me reason to believe TightVNC might be using GPU acceleration.

 

I'm glad to hear it worked out for you.