Beagleboard:Installing LXDE

This page shows you how to install LXDE on your BeagleBone Black after installing one of the images mentioned on Ubuntu on BeagleBone Black or  Debian On BeagleBone Black. This page assumes you have completed the steps to install your desired image on one of those pages. None of these options are supported by Beagleboard.org, they are just here for you to try.

LXDE On A Micro SD with Ubuntu Precise
This section assumes you have completed the process described in Ubuntu on BeagleBone Black - Ubuntu On MicroSD section. This section section describes how to install LXDE on a micro SD card, with Ubuntu Precise, that you can boot from with your BeagleBone Black.


 * 1) With a powered off BBB, make sure you have the micro SD card with Ubuntu Precise installed on it in the BBB. Also, be sure to have ethernet, a display, mouse, and keyboard plugged in
 * 2) While holding the boot button, apply power to board and don't release the boot button until the USER LEDs begin to flicker
 * 3) * You should use a 5V external power source, USB power may not work
 * 4) After about a minute your screen should the login prompt, sign in
 * User: ubuntu
 * Password: ubuntu
 * 1) Enter the command: sudo apt-get update
 * 2) After about 2 minutes that process will finish. Then enter the command: sudo apt-get -y install lxde lxde-core lxde-icon-theme
 * 3) * This will begin installing LXDE onto the micro SD card. It will finish after about 30 minutes
 * 4) When the terminal returns to the comand line type: "sudo reboot" and hit enter
 * 5) * remember the password is: ubuntu
 * 6) This will restart the BBB and after about 2 minutes there will be an LXDE login prompt. Select 'Ubuntu User' and sign in
 * 7) * If the BBB doesn't reboot with LXDE interface, remove power, hold down the boot button, and re-apply the power. Continue to hold the 'boot' button until the USER LEDs begin to flicker
 * 8) You will now have an LXDE desktop

LXDE On A Micro SD with Ubuntu Raring
This section assumes you have completed the process described in Ubuntu On BeagleBone Black - Ubuntu Raring on MicroSD section. This section section describes how to install LXDE on a micro SD card, with Ubuntu Raring, that you can boot from with your BeagleBone Black.

'''NOTE: LXDE on this version of Ubuntu is very buggy. Issues include a long boot-up time, missing mouse cursor, and the taskbar may fail to show up after login.''' If these problems arise, you may try to power down your BBB and then re-apply power while holding down the 'boot' button until the USER LEDs begin to flicker.
 * 1) With a powered off BBB, make sure you have the micro SD card with Ubuntu Raring installed on it in the BBB. Also, be sure to have Ethernet, a display, mouse, and keyboard plugged in
 * 2) While holding the boot button, apply power to board and don't release the boot button until the USER LEDs begin to flicker
 * 3) * You should use a 5V external power source, USB power may not work
 * 4) After about a minute your screen should the login prompt, sign in
 * User: ubuntu
 * Password: ubuntu
 * 1) Enter the command: sudo apt-get update
 * 2) After about 2 minutes that process will finish. Then enter the command: sudo apt-get -y install lxde lxde-core lxde-icon-theme
 * 3) * This will begin installing LXDE onto the micro SD card. It will finish after about 30 minutes
 * 4) When the terminal returns to the comand line type: "sudo reboot" and hit enter
 * 5) * Remember, the password is: ubuntu
 * 6) This will restart the BBB and after a few minutes there will be an LXDE login prompt. Select 'Ubuntu User' and sign in
 * 7) * If the BBB doesn't reboot with LXDE interface, remove power, hold down the boot button, and re-apply the power. Continue to hold the 'boot' button until the USER LEDs begin to flicker.
 * 8) You will now have an LXDE desktop.

LXDE With Debian Wheezy
This section assumes you have completed either of the processes described on Debian On BeagleBone Black. This section section describes how to install LXDE on a micro SD card or the eMMC, with Debian Wheezy, that you can boot from with your BeagleBone Black. It is probably the most stable out of the options listed on this page.


 * 1) With a powered off BBB, make sure you have the micro SD card with Debian Wheezy installed on it in the BBB. Also, be sure to have Ethernet, a display, mouse, and keyboard plugged in
 * 2) While holding the 'boot' button, apply power to board and don't release the 'boot' button until the USER LEDs begin to flicker
 * 3) * You should use a 5V external power source, USB power may not work
 * 4) After about a minute your screen show should the login prompt. Sign in
 * 5) * If you are booting from a microSD card
 * User: debian
 * Password: debian
 * 1) * If you are booting from the eMMC
 * User: debian
 * Password: temppwd
 * 1) Enter the command: sudo apt-get update
 * 2) After about 2 minutes that process will finish. Then enter the command: sudo apt-get -y install lxde lxde-core lxde-icon-theme
 * 3) * This will begin installing LXDE onto the micro SD card or eMMC. It will finish after about 30 minutes
 * 4) When the terminal returns to the comand line type: "sudo reboot" and hit enter
 * 5) * Remember, the password is: debian or temppwd
 * 6) This will restart the BBB and after a few minutes there will be an LXDE login prompt. Select 'Debian User' and sign in
 * 7) * If the BBB doesn't reboot with LXDE interface, remove power, and re-apply the power.
 * 8) You will now have an LXDE desktop.