Lion Server Java Control Panel and Java applications empty?

Dear Gannon and Terry,

OK, I see your point if security of the remote management tool is an issue.

Obviously you are in a different league of system management as I am. Me, I only have one simple MacMini server in my cupboard. I was fighting with the blank Java screens, but since I found out that I can use the admin tool on a client (on the same subnet behind the same router), I'm happy.

If that insight can help some poor soul like me out there, good. Let's make sure that at least everyone is aware that it can work like that.

Meanwhile you are both right in saying that it stil did not solve the Java bug itself. Shame on Apple and Oracle for not solving it. The resistor solution seems simple enough, I'll give that a try!

I found the trick to all my FM servers

I log in via Teamviewer or VNC on a mac which is on the same network

instead of http://localhost:16000, I type 192.168.1.XXX: 16000 in safari (the IP of the server I want to connect)

I launch the java and the admin console webstart.jnlp

and I save the "FMServerXXX.app" who it created me on the desktop

after I upload this "FMServerXXX.app" on the macmini server

now if I open directly this app from the mac mini seerver without screen, it works, I can see all the settings.

and I keep only one access via VNC or VPN by server without opening others ports (like the fms Remote Administration port)

I hope that's help :-)

Guillaume Gesquiere

ProMac Consulting

FM developer

Paris - NY

Faster solution

Directly on the Macmini without screen, in safari launch the web admin with 192.168.1.XXX: 16000 (IP of your macmini)instead of http://localhost:16000

I launch the java and the admin console webstart.jnlp

and I save the "FMServerXXX.app" who it created me on the desktop

And it works !!

Guillaume Gesquiere

ProMac Consulting

FM developer

Paris - NY

Hi,

I came across this thread, and I have a similar issue on a MacPro3,1 running Lion X.7.5 headless and accessing it via Remote Desktop. Mavericks solves this for me but creates other issues. Does anyone know if the issue got fixed in Mountain Lion? I want to run a headless server with Mountain Lion X.8.? and use Apple Remote Desktop and Java and not have the issue I have with X.7.5 Lion:

Java windows are blank.

If anyone is doing this please let me know. Good or bad.

Thanks in advance, and so long for now, TOM

Apparently, headless Macs can bee tricked into thinking that they do have a head... this can be done by attaching a dummy display adapter.

And then, magically, Java windows show normally over VNC.

You can buy such a dongle e.g. here:

http://blog.macminicolo.net/post/72706369716/an-hdmi-adapter-for-a-headless-mac- mini

Or you can 'build' one yourself. I've done that with the standard HDMI to DVI adapter from Apple, connecting pin 14 (+5V) and pin 16 (hot plug detect) through a 1k ohm resistor (no soldering required, you simply push the resistor ends into the connector holes). It really works!

Source:

http://www.macstadium.com/blog/how-to-enable-awesome-video-performance-with-your -macstadium-mac-mini-and-splashtop-remote/

Hi Peter,

This sounds fantastic.

So I thought I would need to make one of these dongles from a DVI (M) to VGA(F) adapter to "fix" my Early 2008 MacPro3,1, to attach the dongle to 1 of the 2 - dual-link DVI ports on the installed video card, but...

I looked up VGA pinouts, but it looks like VGA has 15 pins? So could you elaborate on the instructions...connecting pin 14 (+5V) and pin 16 (hot plug detect) through a 1k ohm resistor on the VGA end . Don't you mean the DVI end? But then how would I get an adapter that was DVI to DVI?

Sorry for the confusion at my end.

I run a number of Macs "headless" so this trick should come in handy if I can figure out how to make it work.

Thanks much, and so long for now, TOM

Hi Tom,

Just google VGA + headless adapter + resistor or something alike and you'll find plenty of information.

For an analog VGA plug I think you'll need to connect pins 1 and 6 through a 75 - 100 ohm resistor.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks for those comments. Just ne more query.

Right after I hit the send button last message, I wondered... if I connected the "pin 14 (+5V) and pin 16 (hot plug detect) through a 1k ohm resistor" right on 1 of the 2 ports on my - dual-link DVI ports of the installed video card, would get the same effect as the dongle. Or is there something else going on in the "dongle" "adapter" part of this solution.

I don't want to fry anything, and I'm not really very qualified.

It's always a treat to hear it from someone who knows first hand.

I think I have a DVI to VGA adapter, so you suggest I quote:connect pins 1 and 6 through a 75 - 100 ohm resistor on the VGA end, correct?

Thanks, and so long for now, TOM

Hi Tom,

I would think that yes, you can connect the resistor at any point of the DVI chain, so why not directly on the card output. If I understand correctly the DVI specification is such that when the card sees an impedance (resistor value) of 1 kohm between 14 and 16, it assumes 'display present' (or to put it differently: if you connect a real display, it will probably also put an impedance load of 1 k between 14 and 16; the resistor is there to fake that).

Since you are using a resistor and do not short-circuit the pins, I don't think you can fry anything, but it's all at your own risk of course.

With a DVI tot VGA adapter it should work as well; same principle, different pins and resistor values.

Whateven is going on in the dongle to convert DVI to VGA or vice versa doesn't matter. The resistors at the end of the chain are just mimicing the presence of a display.

Good luck,

Peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks again for the clarity. I really appreciate it.

So long for now, TOM