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**Snowhog** · Dec 24, 2010, 02:32 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Sorry to hear about your issue, however, you've provided us with no information that would be useful, namely your graphics card or GPU you are using. Also, what version of KDE are you running?

**Don** · Dec 24, 2010, 03:02 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

I am well rebuked; I should know better by now. It's KDE 4.42, and the graphics card is BFG GeForce 9600 GT OC 512Mb. There have been no (intentional) changes to either hardware or software since I last changed the wallpaper on September 21. The only thing I've done is to run update periodically.

**Snowhog** · Dec 24, 2010, 03:30 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Nvidia graphics card. What version of the driver are you using? KDE 4.4.2 is 'old' for Maverick, but that is likely not contributing to your issue. The Nvidia driver is the more likely culprit. That said, you can verify that all updates you have run were completed fully. Open a console and type:

Code:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -f

The second command: Fix; attempt to correct a system with broken dependencies in place.

Are you using any third-party repositories?

**Don** · Dec 24, 2010, 04:22 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Snowhog,
I don't think I'm using any third party repositories. I ran the command; here's the return I got on it:

Hit http://security.ubuntu.com lucid-security Release.gpg
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security/restricted Translation-en_US
Hit http://archive.canonical.com lucid Release.gpg
Ign http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ lucid/partner Translation-en_US
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid Release.gpg
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-security/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://archive.canonical.com lucid Release.gpg
Ign http://archive.canonical.com/ lucid/partner Translation-en_US
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com lucid-security Release
Hit http://archive.canonical.com lucid Release
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid-updates Release.gpg
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates/restricted Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates/main Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates/universe Translation-en_US
Ign http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid-updates/multiverse Translation-en_US
Hit http://archive.canonical.com lucid Release
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid Release
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com lucid-security/restricted Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid-updates Release
Hit http://archive.canonical.com lucid/partner Packages
Hit http://archive.canonical.com lucid/partner Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com lucid-security/main Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com lucid-security/restricted Sources
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com lucid-security/universe Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com lucid-security/universe Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid/restricted Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid/main Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid/restricted Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid/universe Packages
Hit http://archive.canonical.com lucid/partner Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com lucid-security/multiverse Packages
Hit http://security.ubuntu.com lucid-security/multiverse Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid/universe Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid/multiverse Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid/multiverse Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid-updates/restricted Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid-updates/main Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid-updates/restricted Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid-updates/universe Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid-updates/universe Sources
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid-updates/multiverse Packages
Hit http://us.archive.ubuntu.com lucid-updates/multiverse Sources
Reading package lists... Done
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
The following packages were automatically installed and are no longer required:
linux-headers-2.6.32-26-generic linux-headers-2.6.32-21-generic
fairymax linux-headers-2.6.32-24-generic linux-headers-2.6.32-21
linux-headers-2.6.32-22 linux-headers-2.6.32-23
linux-headers-2.6.32-24 linux-headers-2.6.32-25
linux-headers-2.6.32-26 libreadline5
linux-headers-2.6.32-22-generic linux-headers-2.6.32-25-generic
xaw3dg linux-headers-2.6.32-23-generic
Use 'apt-get autoremove' to remove them.
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.

BTW, I'm not using Maverick; I'm on Lucid l0.04.1.

Thanks.
Don

**Snowhog** · Dec 24, 2010, 04:31 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Thread moved to Lucid.

You're booting in to the 2.6.32-26 kernel? Do you still have the other kernels in your Grub menu? If you do, do you experience this issue if you boot in to one of the prior kernels?

**Don** · Dec 24, 2010, 04:47 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

You've just gone well beyond my meager experience with Linux. It boots automatically into this kernel. I don't know how to boot into a prior kernel, but I'm going to do some research now to find out and to find out whether there are prior kernels. (This is my awkward way of saying that I don't know how to pull up the Grub menu, but I will in a few minutes.)

**Don** · Dec 24, 2010, 04:59 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Here's the output of the grub.cfg file. Is this what you (I?) needed to see? I'm not sure what it's telling me.

#
# DO NOT EDIT THIS FILE
#
# It is automatically generated by /usr/sbin/grub-mkconfig using templates
# from /etc/grub.d and settings from /etc/default/grub
#

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/00_header ###
if [ -s $prefix/grubenv ]; then
load_env
fi
set default="0"
if [ ${prev_saved_entry} ]; then
set saved_entry=${prev_saved_entry}
save_env saved_entry
set prev_saved_entry=
save_env prev_saved_entry
set boot_once=true
fi

function savedefault {
if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then
saved_entry=${chosen}
save_env saved_entry
fi
}

function recordfail {
set recordfail=1
if [ -n ${have_grubenv} ]; then if [ -z ${boot_once} ]; then save_env recordfail; fi; fi
}
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
if loadfont /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 ; then
set gfxmode=640x480
insmod gfxterm
insmod vbe
if terminal_output gfxterm ; then true ; else
# For backward compatibility with versions of terminal.mod that don't
# understand terminal_output
terminal gfxterm
fi
fi
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
set locale_dir=($root)/boot/grub/locale
set lang=en
insmod gettext
if [ ${recordfail} = 1 ]; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=10
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/00_header ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###
set menu_color_normal=white/black
set menu_color_highlight=black/light-gray
### END /etc/grub.d/05_debian_theme ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-27-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-27-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-27-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-27-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-27-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-27-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-27-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-26-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-26-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-26-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-26-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-26-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-26-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-26-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-25-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-25-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-25-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-25-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-25-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-25-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-25-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-24-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-24-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-24-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-24-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-24-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-23-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-23-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-23-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-23-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-23-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-22-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-22-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-22-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-22-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-22-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-21-generic' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
menuentry 'Ubuntu, with Linux 2.6.32-21-generic (recovery mode)' --class ubuntu --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os {
recordfail
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
echo 'Loading Linux 2.6.32-21-generic ...'
linux /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.32-21-generic root=UUID=5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5 ro single
echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.32-21-generic
}
### END /etc/grub.d/10_linux ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin
}
menuentry "Memory test (memtest86+, serial console 115200)" {
insmod ext2
set root='(hd1,1)'
search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set 5da6aa85-e95d-4ece-99c3-b8fffda68da5
linux16 /boot/memtest86+.bin console=ttyS0,115200n8
}
### END /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+ ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###
if [ ${timeout} != -1 ]; then
if keystatus; then
if keystatus --shift; then
set timeout=-1
else
set timeout=0
fi
else
if sleep --interruptible 3 ; then
set timeout=0
fi
fi
fi
### END /etc/grub.d/30_os-prober ###

### BEGIN /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###
# This file provides an easy way to add custom menu entries. Simply type the
# menu entries you want to add after this comment. Be careful not to change
# the 'exec tail' line above.
### END /etc/grub.d/40_custom ###

**Snowhog** · Dec 24, 2010, 05:03 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

According to your file, you have seven different kernels intalled - .21 to .27 (.27 being the most recent, and the one you are booting into). When you boot your PC, the Grub menu is presented to you for 10-seconds (based on what I read in the file). So from the menu, select an earlier kernel, say, the .26 kernel, and see if you have the functionality from the desktop that you expect and should have.

**Don** · Dec 24, 2010, 05:27 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Well, this is embarrassing, to say the least. The machine won't even get to the Grub boot screen; it just hangs up on the initial screen. My inclination at this point is to shut it down and reset the CMOS by pulling the battery. (I know this will be hard to believe, but I built this machine, and it's been running just fine.)
Does that procedure make any sense?

**Snowhog** · Dec 24, 2010, 05:35 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

What are the specs on the HD that Linux (root) is installed on? With that many installed kernels, unless you established a very generous root partition, you may have reached the space limit.

**Don** · Dec 24, 2010, 06:33 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

I don't remember the exact specs, because I can't get it to boot even to a Kubuntu CD. The drive is .5T, and the root sector is at least 200G.

**Snowhog** · Dec 24, 2010, 06:41 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

A half-terrabyte drive, with 200Gb for root, well space issues are not the issue. That you can't boot from a CD is more telling. As to that, access your bios when starting up the PC and check the boot order options. Put the CD Drive first, followed by the HDD. If that is already set that way, then you might just want to remove the battery for a bit, and reinstall it and fire up the PC.

**Don** · Dec 24, 2010, 06:58 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Let me say first how much I appreciate all the time you're spending with me. It really is very generous of you.
I tried pulling the battery and got a screen that asked me what boot I wanted to try. I picked "last known good" and ended up at the same place I'd been. Still no boot to the CD. I'll try it again and try one of the other options on the menu.

**Don** · Dec 24, 2010, 07:17 PM

Re: Cannot access Desktop Activities

Well, I'm doing what might be called making progress in a negative direction. Now nothing comes up on the screen at all. At least it used to tell me to go to hell. Is it possible that my video card has simply gone bad? (It shouldn't; it was new in May, but such things have been known to happen.)
If it has, I'm obviously not going to get a replacement tomorrow, but do you have one you'd recommend?
(Dibl will be ashamed of me; he's been helping me switch to Linux since earlier this year. I wish I had a clue about what's happening.)

Don

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