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    Ubuntu 10.10: I lost my desktop

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by ral, Jan 20, 2011.

  1. ral

    ral Notebook Evangelist

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    I shut down my computer an hour ago or so. When I rebooted, I lost my desktop. The system boots normaly, I get the Ubuntu start up screen and sound than after that a white screen with a mouse cursor. The cursor works and the system did not hang or anything. I can can activate Caps Lock. If I adjust the volume or brightness, the display showing the level comes out. If I press the power button, the shutdown/restrat/suspend/hibernate dialogue box is displayed.

    Not sure what happened. Anyway to restore my desktop?

    TIA.
     
    ral, Jan 20, 2011
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  2. ral

    ral Notebook Evangelist

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    By the way, when I shut down. My wallpaper displays for a second and it shuts down normally.
     
    ral, Jan 20, 2011
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  3. ral

    ral Notebook Evangelist

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    Another update. From the shutdown dialogue, I can access help and from there online help, which brings up my browser. From the browser I can access my Downloads Folder and my entire file system.

    So I was able to plug in a external drive and back-up my files. Actually I am typing this on my disabled Ubuntu laptop :)

    Help!

    Here is a screenshot:

    [​IMG]
     
    ral, Jan 20, 2011
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  4. Sonicjet

    Sonicjet Notebook Evangelist

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    Sorry if it's a stupid question, but can you right click? Also, does Ctrl + Alt + F1 get you to the console? If it does you could reinstall your WM.

    BTW, I believe you just won the hacker award on the browser, thats smooth.
     
    Sonicjet, Jan 20, 2011
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  5. ral

    ral Notebook Evangelist

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    Right click... it is not a stupid question. I did not try it.

    I tried Ctrl + Alt + F1, but nothing came up.

    I kinda have a desktop back... I downloaded a file *.deb with the browser, and than opened it, which brought up the software manager. I was trying to reinstalled the desktop so I installed Gnome Extra Themes... did not work.

    While digging in there, I saw a Unity Desktop... so I installed that. I am now on Unity. Now how do you switch back from Unity to Gnome default?

    Update:

    Oh, that's in the Login Options... Desktop is back.

    Wonder what happened. Bad sector on hard drive or something?
     
    ral, Jan 20, 2011
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  6. ral

    ral Notebook Evangelist

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    Sorry, a bit harrased earlier. Thanks Sonicjet.
     
    ral, Jan 20, 2011
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