are actually running. If you know the display number (often :10) you can try manually running a program and it should show up in that session: $ export DISPLAY=:10 $ xterm Also consider checking with ps auxww to see if your expected programs are running. I wanted an easy solution to remote into my ubuntu 10.04 box on the lan before any login. Well, if you want to do this and not have to think about it do the following: Step 1). Go to the following site depending on your bit version of ubuntu: For the server (computer you want to connect to) you need client, node, and server installed but for the client you only need the client. So for the server install the client, then the node, and then server deb; on ubuntu this should be just a download and it will take it from there. Step 2). Test locally via the menu [Applications][Other][NX Client] Provide any session name, your user name, and pasword - I believe you can also connect to an existing session (have not tried this yet) , Note: you may get a prompt but it will ask if you wish to connect anyway and say yet - this is just a test. Step 3). Close everything up and reboot and go to another computer on the LAN or with access to the IP. Step 4). Install the NX client from the appropriate links above. Step 5). Start the client using the same steps above