[gutsy] kdm use the default theme instead of the kubuntu one

[Guillaume Martres]

Binary package hint: kubuntu-default-settings

Theme is supposed to be changed at run time, but it isn't, even if /etc/default/kdm.d/20_kubuntu_default_settings is present on the system.

[Jonathan Riddell (jr)]

This is deliberate, it gets replaced at run time instead of install time. Closing, but do re-open if you actually have a problem.

[Guillaume Martres (smarter)]

I re-open because when kdm start I get the default kdm login theme, even if kds is installed. I don't if it's related but the ksplash is way too big on my system.

[Guillaume Martres (smarter)]

Okay, I've found where the problem came from and I fixed it.
Basically the use of /etc/default/kdm.d cause lot of problems:
- The wallpaper selected in systemsettings kdm module is default_blue.jpg, which is confusing for the user, since it is replaced at run time with the kubuntu-wallpaper.png
- If the user change the wallpaper, the kdm splash is also changed(because /etc/init.d/kdm check for "if grep -q "Theme=@@@ToBeReplacedByDesktopBase@@@" ${KDMRC} && grep -q "Wallpaper=default_blue.jpg" ${BACKGROUNDRC}", same things apply if the user change the theme: he also gets the default_blue wallpaper.
So, the use of kdm.d may solve some issues but it creates a lot more.

[steph_Z (polariscorp)]

i confirm this problem

in /etc/default/kdm.d i have WALLPAPER="/usr/share/wallpapers/kubuntu-wallpaper.png"

and in systemsettings kdm was set to default_blue.jpg

i always get default_blue.jpg at kde boot time.

[Guillaume Martres (smarter)]

Another problem is that if the user really want the default_blue.jpg wallpaper he must changes the wallpaper from default_blue to another(and change the kdm theme to kubuntu to get the kubuntu theme.)

[3vi1 (launchpad-net-eternaldusk)]

I have this problem too, Kubuntu 7.10rc (64-bit):

Changing the theme with KDM Theme Manager in SystemSettings|Appearance does nothing. I always get the KDM (not Kubuntu) default theme.

My kdmrc also contains "Theme=@@@ToBeReplacedByDesktopBase@@@". The file /etc/default/kdm.d/20_kubuntu_default_settings is present and does get updated by the theme manager, but does not have any effect.

Are there any other files you need me to look at to gather more info?

[Brian Walsh (bwalsh)]

Here is the problem as I was able to see it. If you change the background in the Login Manager it adds the full path to the wallpaper file in /etc/kde3/kdm/backgroundrc. Changing it back to 'Default Blue' changes this line to Wallpaper=/usr/share/wallpapers/default_blue.jpg. When first changing the background 'default_blue' is selected, after you change this and leave you never get that option again, only 'Default Blue'.

/etc/init.d/kdm is looking for "if grep -q "Theme=@@@ToBeReplacedByDesktopBase@@@" ${KDMRC} && grep -q "Wallpaper=default_blue.jpg" ${BACKGROUNDRC}" the file without the full path.

I just changed my /etc/kde3/kdm/backgroundrc file to have the line "Wallpaper=default_blue.jpg" instead of Wallpaper=/usr/share/wallpapers/default_blue.jpg to enable the KDM theme manager to have any effect.

[3vi1 (launchpad-net-eternaldusk)]

I can confirm Koosh's observations. I changed my wallpaper to be "default_blue.jpg" in backgroundrc and could once again change themes with the KDM Theme Manager.

Thanks Koosh!

[Thomas Beyer (tb-beyercenter)]

i removed kdmtheme (:-) and edit my /etc/kde3/kdm/backgroundrc and /etc/kde3/kdm/kdmrc with kate. it works fine :-)

[Urahara Kisuke (ilhanbilaloglu)]

Unfortunately, changing wallpaper to "default_blue.jpg" doesnt work for me. The bug still remains.

[klerfayt (klerfayt-deactivatedaccount)]

Is there any good reason to use "/etc/default/kdm.d/20_kubuntu_default_settings"?
I find older approach much more convenient ...

[klerfayt (klerfayt-deactivatedaccount)]

In response to a few comments about editing "/etc/default/kdm.d/20_kubuntu_default_settings" file and not seeing any changes: please notice that you need to either reboot or run "sudo /etc/init.d/kdm restart" in terminal to see changes - that is what the original reporter complains about - "Theme is supposed to be changed at run time, but it isn't ..."
If you want to see your new kdm theme after logging out then:
mv /etc/default/kdm.d/20_kubuntu_default_settings /to/somewhere/for/backup/purposes & edit the file "/etc/kde3/kdm/kdmrc" - make sure you got there "UseTheme=true" (without "#") and "Theme=/usr/share/apps/kdm/themes/YOUR_prefered_theme/"

[Anil (anilv-in)]

Hi ... Guys good news ... I found the solution at

http://www.tecpages.com/solution-for-kubuntu-710-gutsy-kdm-theme-not-changing/ and it worked perfectly for me.

Thanks

[Pelládi Gábor (pelladigabor)]

Still present in Kubuntu 8.04.1. Changing /etc/kde3/kdm/backgroundrc to Wallpaper=default_blue.jpg made kdm themes working again.

[eMerzh (emerzh)]

for me too,

sudo cp /etc/kde3/kdm/backgroundrc.dpkg-dist /etc/kde3/kdm/backgroundrc

and

sudo /etc/init.d/kdm restart

[Harald Sitter (apachelogger)]

Not applying to any KDE 4 based release anymore. Or not yet ;-)