Add an X11 server

First make sure that your kernel supports "userspace software suspend". If it doesn't (as might be with a homegrown kernel), then reconfigure your kernel to include CONFIG_SOFTWARE_SUSPEND=Y, recompile, reboot.

Now, log into the real console of your server. If you use a terminal, the setup of X will "hang" at the end.

You can update your apt using

apt-get update

Now run

tasksel

Under Choose software to install, remove all asterisks except for "desktop environment". When you select OK the system gets going. After installing a LOT of software, Tasksel will ask you what you want your default resolutions to be. Select at least those that you want to be able to use. Then Tasksel installs and configures some more.

However, since this will make your server start up with a GUI, we now take out the graphic desktop manager with

update-rc.d -f gdm remove

This means that you still boot into the text mode console. So how do we then get that graphic desktop (should we ever need it)? Simply by issuing

startx

at the root prompt on the real console.

That's it!