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Ubuntu headless install not working

Ubuntu headless install not working

tn3
Explorer | Level 4
Go to solution

I'm trying to do the Linux headless install as described at https://www.dropbox.com/install on an Ubuntu 16.04 workstation.   It works until I get to the point in the instructions that say "If you're running Dropbox on your server for the first time, you'll be asked to copy and paste a link in a working browser to create a new account or add your server to an existing account."

I don't get any notice of the URL to use.   The last thing I see when I start dropboxd from my command line is "Opening in existing browser session" -- but no URL is provided.

 

39 Replies 39

marclevoy
Explorer | Level 4
Go to solution

I tried your command, and it popped up a warning that the daemon didn't exist, and it seemed to then download it from Dropbox and install it, but ended up in exactly the same spot.  The output is below.  Should it pop up a link to paste into my browser?  Or am I not getting that far for some reason?

 

evoy@levoy:~$ rm -rf ~/.dropbox ~/.dropbox-dist ~/Dropbox; ./dropbox.py start -i
Starting Dropbox..../dropbox.py:342: PyGIDeprecationWarning: Since version 3.11, calling threads_init is no longer needed. See: https://wiki.gnome.org/PyGObject/Threading
GObject.threads_init()
./dropbox.py:503: PyGTKDeprecationWarning: Stock items are deprecated. Please use: Gtk.Button.new_with_mnemonic(label)
self.ok = ok = Gtk.Button(stock=Gtk.STOCK_OK)
./dropbox.py:508: PyGTKDeprecationWarning: Stock items are deprecated. Please use: Gtk.Button.new_with_mnemonic(label)
cancel = Gtk.Button(stock=Gtk.STOCK_CANCEL)
./dropbox.py:378: PyGIDeprecationWarning: GObject.idle_add is deprecated; use GLib.idle_add instead
GObject.idle_add(self.loop_callback, *ret)
./dropbox.py:388: PyGIDeprecationWarning: GObject.idle_add is deprecated; use GLib.idle_add instead
GObject.idle_add(self.on_done)
dropbox: locating interpreter
dropbox: logging to /tmp/dropbox-antifreeze-En2Hr9
dropbox: initializing
dropbox: initializing python 3.7.5
dropbox: setting program path '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/dropbox'
dropbox: setting python path '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138:/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/python-packages.zip'
dropbox: python initialized
dropbox: running dropbox
dropbox: setting args
dropbox: applying overrides
dropbox: running main script
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._constant_time.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._openssl.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._padding.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/psutil._psutil_linux.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/psutil._psutil_posix.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/linuxffi.pthread._linuxffi_pthread.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/cpuid.compiled._cpuid.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/apex._apex.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/tornado.speedups.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/linuxffi.resolv.compiled._linuxffi_resolv.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/librsyncffi.compiled._librsyncffi.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/linuxffi.sys.compiled._linuxffi_sys.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/posixffi.libc._posixffi_libc.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/linuxffi.gnu.compiled._linuxffi_gnu.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
success!
dropbox: locating interpreter
dropbox: logging to /tmp/dropbox-antifreeze-VudtxG
dropbox: initializing
dropbox: initializing python 3.7.5
dropbox: setting program path '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/dropbox'
dropbox: setting python path '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138:/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/python-packages.zip'
dropbox: python initialized
dropbox: running dropbox
dropbox: setting args
dropbox: applying overrides
dropbox: running main script
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._constant_time.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._openssl.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._padding.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/psutil._psutil_linux.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/psutil._psutil_posix.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/linuxffi.pthread._linuxffi_pthread.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/cpuid.compiled._cpuid.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/apex._apex.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/tornado.speedups.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/linuxffi.resolv.compiled._linuxffi_resolv.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/librsyncffi.compiled._librsyncffi.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/linuxffi.sys.compiled._linuxffi_sys.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/posixffi.libc._posixffi_libc.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/linuxffi.gnu.compiled._linuxffi_gnu.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/PyQt5.QtCore.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
Done!
levoy@levoy:~$ dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/PyQt5.QtGui.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/PyQt5.QtNetwork.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/PyQt5.QtWidgets.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/usr/local/google/home/levoy/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-87.4.138/PyQt5.QtDBus.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'

levoy@levoy:~$ ./dropbox.py status
Dropbox isn't running!
levoy@levoy:~$

marclevoy
Explorer | Level 4
Go to solution

Response on next page.

Здравко
Legendary | Level 20
Go to solution

There is only one reason for such thing. You try run in graphical shell! Don't you?!

In such cases Dropbox application tries to redirect the link directly to default web browser. Just go there and declare you would like to connect. If, for some reason, this don't happens try to execute previous command in clear console shell. In advance login, using following:

ssh levoy@localhost

Type your password (computer account, not Dropbox one) and proceed as in my previous post. Once you get your application connected to the Dropbox account, you can run the application in any other way, also (connection is granted). :wink:

marclevoy
Explorer | Level 4
Go to solution

I think you are looking in the correct direction, but I don't understand your instructions.

My situation is that I am using Chrome Remote Desktop to log from a Mac into the headless Linux instance.  In CRD I see a simulated desktop, I can launch terminal windows, browsers, etc.  In Chrome in my Mac I have popups allowed.  I also have popups allowed in the Chrome browser in the Linux instance.  During installation of the daemon I see popups from the installation process appear in my CRD window.  Thus, I would expect that if it wanted to pop up a window giving me a URL link to log into Dropbox, it would have appeared.  No? 

So given this setup, what do you suggest I do?  What do you mean by "Just go there and declare you would like to connect".  How?  Or on which machine would I execute 

ssh levoy@localhost

 ?

 

marclevoy
Explorer | Level 4
Go to solution

It worked!  Thank you *so* much!  I ssh'ed from the Linux instance to @localhost, then re-ran your commands, and it gave me the link to copy/paste into the browser on that Linux instance.

Could you take one more minute, and explain to me why that works?

What does this ssh'ing to localhost do?

-Marc

Здравко
Legendary | Level 20
Go to solution

Ok... I will try explain in more details.

In Linux (unlike Mac and Windows) graphical shell doesn't "stick" to the place where particular program runs. One program can run on machine (real or virtual) where graphics isn't available, but program widow can come up on another machine where X interface is supported (either native - Linux, or emulated), if the interface is redirected. Something similar seems happens in your case. For example, X redirection in 'ssh' command could be achieved using '-X' option. In some graphical terminal emulators is a checkbox for same reason. Anyway, when local graphics is available or X interface is redirected, corresponding session is graphical, otherwise session is clear console. Seems you have used a redirection for your initial session. I have not any idea why browser doesn't bring up, but one possibility would be missing browser installation on the Linux. If so, you can install Firefox, for example, using:

sudo apt-get install firefox

About 'ssh' command: As I mentioned above already, to redirect X interface '-X' option is need. When this option gets miss, newly created session is clear terminal session and Dropbox application doesn't try any browser, but print the link as a console output. That's it. :wink:

Hope this casts some light. :slight_smile:

PS: Something else! You don't actually run headless Linux! As I'm reading your above post (before the last) seems your install is graphical. So you incorrectly "titled" it as headless. Probably you didn't set a default browser.

marclevoy
Explorer | Level 4
Go to solution

Again, you have been very helpful.  It appears that I have a default browser already, but if I click on a .html file in the Files app (on my Linux instance), it challenges me to enter a password to "Unlock keyring".  My Linux account password, which is also my Chrome passphrase, seems to work.  Perhaps Dropbox was failing to pop up the login web page because it reached this challenge and silently failed on it.  Once I've entered my password, then clicking on other .html files immediately bring them up on my Chrome browser (in the Linux instance).

-Marc Levoy
 Distinguished Engineer
 Google

DavidLedger
Explorer | Level 3
Go to solution

Different user, same problem (as far as I can see)

 

Ran the suggested:

rm -rf ~/.dropbox ~/.dropbox-dist ~/Dropbox; ./dropbox.py start -i

Did get the 'visit URL' prompt, did so, and my Dropbox directory started to populate.

 

Process indicated by ~/.dropbox/dropbox.pid doesn't exist.

 

dropbox.py output is:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/tmp/dropbox.py", line 1603, in <module>
ret = main(sys.argv)
File "/tmp/dropbox.py", line 1592, in main
result = commands[argv[i]](argv[i+1:])
File "/tmp/dropbox.py", line 743, in newmeth
return meth(*n, **kw)
File "/tmp/dropbox.py", line 1224, in status
lines = dc.get_dropbox_status()['status']
File "/tmp/dropbox.py", line 714, in __spec_command
return self.send_command(str(name), kw)
File "/tmp/dropbox.py", line 672, in send_command
ok = self.__readline() == "ok"
File "/tmp/dropbox.py", line 646, in __readline
toret = self.f.readline().rstrip("\n")
File "/usr/lib/python3.5/encodings/ascii.py", line 26, in decode
return codecs.ascii_decode(input, self.errors)[0]
UnicodeDecodeError: 'ascii' codec can't decode byte 0xe2 in position 30: ordinal not in range(128)

 

 

Здравко
Legendary | Level 20
Go to solution

Hi @DavidLedger,

Your problem isn't the same definitely. Above issue was for authentication troubles.


@DavidLedger wrote:
...

rm -rf ~/.dropbox ~/.dropbox-dist ~/Dropbox; ./dropbox.py start -i

Did get the 'visit URL' prompt, did so, and my Dropbox directory started to populate.

...

As could be seen (you mention - "Dropbox directory started to populate") you don't have such trouble. Seems Dropbox application works for you.


@DavidLedger wrote:
...

Process indicated by ~/.dropbox/dropbox.pid doesn't exist.

...

Waw, realy?! What is the result from:

cat ~/.dropbox/dropbox.pid; echo; ps -C dropbox

@DavidLedger wrote:
...
File "/usr/lib/python3.5/encodings/ascii.py", line 26, in decode
return codecs.ascii_decode(input, self.errors)[0]
UnicodeDecodeError: 'ascii' codec can't decode byte 0xe2 in position 30: ordinal not in range(128)

Seems you have some communication problem between Dropbox daemon and Dropbox control script. Are you sure they run in same context? If contexts differs (for example: daemon has run as a service with different uid), then connection would fail, because both - daemon and control script - can't get to each other. Also, are you using beta build? If so, there was reported similar issues. Revert back to stable release! Take a look in your account settings, is "Early releases" enabled. Make sure it's turned off! Make sure you Dropbox daemon isn't running (no Dropbox process gets in ps list) - quit/stop/kill, if any. Execute in sequence:

dropbox.py status
rm -rf ~/.dropbox ~/.dropbox-dist
dropbox.py start -i
dropbox.py status

What is the result?

DavidLedger
Explorer | Level 3
Go to solution

david@ivdweb:5$: cat ~/.dropbox/dropbox.pid; echo; ps -C dropbox
13930
PID TTY TIME CMD
david@ivdweb:6$:

 

and

 

david@ivdweb:6$: dropbox.py status
Dropbox isn't running!
david@ivdweb:7$: rm -rf ~/.dropbox ~/.dropbox-dist
david@ivdweb:8$: dropbox.py start -i
Starting Dropbox...Gtk-Message: Failed to load module "canberra-gtk-module"
Gtk-Message: GtkDialog mapped without a transient parent. This is discouraged.

  

Then pop-up window (no copy for paste allowed):

Dropbox is the easiest way ... Head to ...

In order to use Dropbox, you must download the proprietary daemon.

Note: python3-gpg (python3-gpgme for Ubuntu 16.10 and lower) is not installed, we will not be able to verify binary signatures.

 

(Click OK, continuing)

dropbox: locating interpreter
dropbox: logging to /tmp/dropbox-antifreeze-24rT2I
dropbox: initializing
dropbox: initializing python 3.7.5
dropbox: setting program path '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/dropbox'
dropbox: setting python path '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273:/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/python-packages.zip'
dropbox: python initialized
dropbox: running dropbox
dropbox: setting args
dropbox: applying overrides
dropbox: running main script
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._constant_time.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._openssl.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._padding.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/psutil._psutil_linux.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/psutil._psutil_posix.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/apex._apex.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/tornado.speedups.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
success!

dropbox: locating interpreter
dropbox: logging to /tmp/dropbox-antifreeze-pCINKo
dropbox: initializing
dropbox: initializing python 3.7.5
dropbox: setting program path '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/dropbox'
dropbox: setting python path '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273:/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/python-packages.zip'
dropbox: python initialized
dropbox: running dropbox
dropbox: setting args
dropbox: applying overrides
dropbox: running main script
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._constant_time.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._openssl.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._padding.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/psutil._psutil_linux.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/psutil._psutil_posix.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/apex._apex.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/tornado.speedups.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/PyQt5.QtCore.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/PyQt5.QtGui.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/PyQt5.QtNetwork.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/PyQt5.QtWidgets.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/bitnami/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-93.4.273/PyQt5.QtDBus.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
Done!
david@ivdweb:9$: dropbox.py status
Waiting to be linked to a Dropbox account...
To link this computer to a Dropbox account, visit the following url:
https://www.dropbox.com/cli_link_nonce?nonce=b2a7e4aa6efa50b0c859a9705a6a9885

 

(Done this twice already, but done again now with this nonce data)

Then did:

david@ivdweb:10$: dropbox.py status
Dropbox isn't running!
david@ivdweb:11$:

 

This is on an AWS Lightsail box which is where the 'bitnami' bit comes from.

 

David

 

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