Esta Ask Ubuntu responde por Blanca Higgins mostra a solução.
Instale estes pacotes:
# apt-get install gnome-panel gnome-settings-daemon metacity nautilus gnome-terminal
Use este arquivo ~/.vnc/xstartup
:
#!/bin/sh
export XKL_XMODMAP_DISABLE=1
unset SESSION_MANAGER
unset DBUS_SESSION_BUS_ADDRESS
[ -x /etc/vnc/xstartup ] && exec /etc/vnc/xstartup
[ -r $HOME/.Xresources ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
xsetroot -solid grey
vncconfig -iconic &
gnome-panel &
gnome-settings-daemon &
metacity &
nautilus &
gnome-terminal &