How can I switch from Desktop to Server without reinstalling via CD?

Question

I recently installed Ubuntu Desktop on an older machine, and the performance isn't what I'd like. I'd like to switch it over to Server (server kernel, drop the GUI, etc) with minimal hassle. What's the simplest way for me to do this, preferably without re-installing from CD?

Answer 1

It can be done with either one of these

sudo apt-get --purge remove gnome-desktop-environment

or

sudo apt-get --purge remove gnome-*

And there are probably even more methods. Re-installing, without formatting if you want to preserve settings, is most likely less time consuming though.

If you want to change the kernel you need to install these files:

linux-server
linux-headers-2.6.38-10-server
linux-headers-server
linux-image-2.6.38-10-server
linux-image-server
linux-restricted-modules-2.6.38-10-server
linux-restricted-modules-server
linux-ubuntu-modules-2.6.38-10-server

where 2.6.38-10 is the kernel version (change it to the one you are installing). And to remove the desktop kernel:

linux-generic
linux-headers-2.6.38-10-generic
linux-headers-generic
linux-image-2.6.38-10-generic
linux-image-generic
linux-restricted-modules-2.6.38-10-generic
linux-restricted-modules-generic
linux-ubuntu-modules-2.6.38-10-generic

Change 2.6.38-10 to the one you are using.

Warning:

• changing kernels can bork your system beyond any repair.
• do not remove the old kernel before you can confirm the new one to work.
• ofcourse untested