Ubuntu – Ubuntu Server 16.04.02 with Splash Screen and Kiosk mode

I'm trying to configure a Ubuntu Server 16.04.02 in Kiosk mode with Chrome. It's working but I'm not able to configure a Splash Screen instead of showing boot messages.

Working so far

Steps to create my Chrome Kiosk

1. Installed Ubuntu Server 16.04.02 with OpenSSH Server
2. Updates: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

3. Display Server + Windows Manager: sudo apt install xorg openbox -y

   Note: I tried to install openbox with --no-install-recommends but half of the screen (right side) was black.

4. Google Chrome

   sudo add-apt-repository 'deb [arch=amd64] http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main'
   wget -qO- https://dl-ssl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo apt-key add -
   sudo apt update && sudo apt install google-chrome-stable -y
   

5. Create a "Kiosk" user: sudo adduser kiosk

6. Start Script for Chrome:

   sudo tee -a /home/kiosk/startchrome.sh <<EOF
   #!/bin/bash
   
   # Turn off DPMS (Display Power Management Signaling)
   xset -dpms
   
   # Disable screen saver blanking
   xset s off
   
   # Start OpenBox
   openbox-session &
   
   # Make sure Chrome is always started - restart if needed
   while true; do
     rm -rf ~/.{config,cache}/google-chrome/
     google-chrome --ignore-certificate-errors --kiosk --no-first-run --disable-infobars --disable-session-crashed-bubble --disable-translate         'http://localhost:8080'
   done
   EOF
   

   Make it executable and run on login:

   sudo chmod +x /home/kiosk/startchrome.sh
   echo "/usr/bin/startx /etc/X11/Xsession /home/kiosk/startchrome.sh -- :0 &> /dev/null" | sudo tee -a /home/kiosk/.profile
   

7. Configure Auto-Login:

   Configure Getty:

   sudo mkdir /etc/systemd/system/getty@tty1.service.d/
   sudo tee -a /etc/systemd/system/getty@tty1.service.d/autologin.conf <<EOF
   [Service]
   ExecStart=
   ExecStart=-/sbin/agetty --skip-login --noissue --autologin kiosk --noclear %I $TERM
   Type=idle
   EOF
   

   Enable Getty:

   sudo systemctl enable getty@tty1.service
   

8. Hide Banner message on boot

   sudo touch /home/kiosk/.hushlogin
   sudo chown kiosk:kiosk /home/kiosk/.hushlogin
   

Problem – X not starting

I want to remove all Boot Messages. I tried GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash" in /etc/default/grub but now, all I see is a little cursor at the top left of the screen. Chrome is not displayed anymore?

Solution

The kiosk user must be added to the video group! Don't know why it was working before I installed plymouth:

    sudo usermod -a -G audio kiosk
    sudo usermod -a -G video kiosk

Note: I tried my own procedure in Ubuntu 17.04 and i had to do those additional steps:

    sudo apt install xserver-xorg-legacy
    sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg-legacy

Now you select "Anyone" on the menu. Than modify /etc/X11/Xwrapper.config and set:

    needs_root_rights=yes
    allowed_users=anybody

Question – How to configure a new theme

I also want a Splash Screen, I think that I have to install plymouth? What should I install and how to configure it?

Solution

I created a theme based on ubuntu-logo and copied it in /usr/share/plymouth/themes/ than I did:

    sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/share/plymouth/themes/default.plymouth default.plymouth /usr/share/plymouth/themes/MY_THEME/MY_THEME.plymouth 150
    sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth

It will ask for theme selection, I select mine and after you must do:

    sudo update-initramfs -u
    sudo update-grub

Thanks!