Can't get Dropbox to run at startup

[MattC]

Hi,

I have installed Dropbox, (using the route they describe on their website, as I am unable to use the repository), and I cannot get it to run at start up.  I can run it using the DB file in one of the DB folders, and it works fine from then.  But, even checking the 'run at startup' checkbox in settings doesn't seem to work.

Matt

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Can you link to the instructions you followed, and mention which distro/version/architecture you're running (eg. Ubuntu 18.04 64bit).

[MattC]

Hi,

The Dropbox site ("https://www.dropbox.com/install" using Firefox on Ubuntu) states:

To install it, run the following command in your Linux terminal.

$ cd ~ && wget -0 - "https://www.dropbox.com/download?plat=lnx.x86" | tar xzf -

[then,]

$ ~/.dropbox-dist/dropboxd

Matt

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

You didn't mention your Ubuntu version and architecture MattC .. if you're unsure, can you open a terminal and post the output from:

Code: [Select]

cat /etc/lsb-release

and

Code: [Select]

uname -a

[MattC]

The first one gives the result "command not found".

The second:
Linux [xxx] 4.8.0-36-generic #36~16.04.1-Ubuntu SMP Sun Feb 5 09:39:41 UTC 2017 i686 i686 i686 GNU/Linux

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

Does running

Code: [Select]

dropbox start

fire up dropbox .. ie. do you now have a system tray icon ?

[MattC]

Yes.  And it seems to work fine from then on.  But even when I check the "Start with System" box in the settings, it doesn't.

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

can you post the output from:

Code: [Select]

ls -a ~/.config/autostart

[MattC]

gnome-software-service.decktop

[SeZo]

You could try in Terminal:

Code: [Select]

dropbox autostart y

This creates a file at ~/.config/autostart/dropbox.desktop that makes Dropbox autostart during reboot.

[MattC]

Typing this results in:

The program 'dropbox' is currently not installed.  You can install it by typing:
sudo apt install nautilus-dropbox
You will have to enable the component called 'multiverse'

Obviously, Dropbox is installed.

Matt

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

I'm tempted to just write the autostart file manually, but there's obviously something wrong here.

Can you post the output from

Code: [Select]

dpkg -l | grep dropbox

[MattC]

Sorry about the delay.

I get nothing from this.

Matt

[Mark Greaves (PCNetSpec)]

open a terminal and run:

Code: [Select]

sudo apt-get install nautilus-dropbox

then run:

Code: [Select]

dropbox start -i

did dropbox start ?

if so, does setting autostart in its preferences cause it to autostart after a reboot ?

[MattC]

First command:

Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
E: unable to locate package nautilus-dropbox

Second command (although academic, I believe):

The program 'dropbox' is currently not installed.  You can install it by typing:
sudo apt install nautilus-dropbox
You will have to enable the component called 'multiverse'

Matt