Using Xming as your Xserver / Xclient

Installing PuTTY and Xming

With PuTTY and Xming you can run text and graphical programs on our servers from your own PC.

Software you need to download and install:

1. Xming-fonts (local copy)
2. Xming (local copy)
3. PuTTY (local copy)

[Local copyies where last updated at 05-04-2009]

Install the software above in the listed order with their default settings.

Configure PuTTY

You need to enable X11 forwarding to show graphical programs:

1. Start PuTTY.
2. In the left menu go to: Connection > SSH > X11.
3. Check "Enable X11 forwarding".
4. In the left menu go to: Window > Translation.
5. Select UTF-8 in the drop down box.
6. Go back to "Session" in the top of the left menu.
7. Click "Default Settings" and Save.

Configure Xming

If you don't what to remember to start Xming evertime you what to use it, you can set it to start when Windows startup. To do this, copy the Xming shoutcut from the start menu to the startup folder in the start menu.

Connecting to a server

1. Find an appropiate server from the server list.
2. Make sure Xming is running.
3. Launch PuTTY.
4. Type the server name in the host name field.
5. Optimal: Save your session, so you only have the double click on the name next time.
6. Click Open.

If everything is working, a window with a black backgound will open, prompting you for a user name and password. Try to start a graphical program like Emacs or Matlab.

Troubleshooting

Problem: When I try to start a graphical program, I get "Connection lost to X server".
Solution: Check that Xming is started.

Problem: When I try to start a graphical program, I get "connection refused by server".
Solution: Make sure you have a token by using the "klog" command.

Problem: Programs start up in text mode.
Solution: Check that "X11 forwarding" is enable in PuTTY. If you use a stored session, load it, enable "X11 forwarding", and save it.

Problem: Letters are displayed as boxes in graphical programs.
Solution: Install Xming-fonts and restart Xming.

Problem: Graphical programs are very slow.
Solution: Enabling "SSH compression" might help if you use a low bandwidth connection. The option is under Connection > SSH in the left menu of PuTTY.

Problem: In Matlab backspace and return does not work.
Solution: Turn off numlock.