Jaunty - after upgrade from 8.10, no window decorator at login

[Etienne Lepercq]

I file a new bug because the other one wich is _matching_ this one talks about window manager, but it is a window decorator problem (see Bug #340140)

After upgrading from intrepid, when login in with my account, no window manager is launched. I can't move any window, no decorations, etc...
I am using compiz, and setting at each login in gnome-appearance-properties to Extra for compiz launches compiz and I have a window decorator.

With a fresh account (I created one for test purpose) this bug does not appear. I am trying to figure out where does this come, but found nothing yet.

I have an nvidia 8600, Jaunty up-to-date.

I attached my .xsession-errors also. I had this bug when I updated from 8.10 to current Jaunty, three days ago.

If you need something else, just ask.

Description: Ubuntu jaunty (development branch)
Release: 9.04

apt-cache policy compiz
compiz:
  Installé : 1:0.8.2-0ubuntu5
  Candidat : 1:0.8.2-0ubuntu5
 Table de version :
 *** 1:0.8.2-0ubuntu5 0
        500 http://ubuntu.media.mit.edu jaunty/main Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

[Brian Murray (brian-murray)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. This bug did not have a package associated with it, which is important for ensuring that it gets looked at by the proper developers. You can learn more about finding the right package at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/FindRightPackage . I have classified this bug as a bug in compiz.

[Etienne Lepercq (e-guepe)]

As this bug does not affect a new user created from jaunty, I really think it is related to some gconf settings, and is not related directly to compiz.
I tried to find a way to change the package affected but could not find it, only an update to the description.

What do you think ? I am invastigating the interesting differences between a clean new user gconf files and mines, but It takes time for me.

[Etienne Lepercq (e-guepe)]

Mea culpa : I tried something simple, moved all my .gconf directory to gconf-save, logout-login.
The session is exactly the same as invite (I mean settings loaded) _but_ the bug is still there : it is not due to a setting in the .gconf directory :-(

I have no ideas where to seek for a solution.

[Etienne Lepercq (e-guepe)]

Update : I tried adding file .gnomerc with :
export WINDOW_MANAGER=/usr/bin/compiz

It does not work :-(

[Etienne Lepercq (e-guepe)]

I fully updates to RC1 yesterday, and this bug is still there : strange to see so few people having this bug !!!
Where should I go first ?

[Alex Zvoleff (azvoleff)]

I also see this (in an upgrade from Intrepid to Jaunty). I tried removing all compiz packages, removing the .compiz folder, and then reinstalling compiz, but there was no change. Regardless of whether I turn compiz on or off (via Preferences -> Appearance -> Visual Effects), I have the same problem: GDM starts without a window decorator.

[Jan Burkhardt (jan-burkhardt)]

i had the same problem after update, and i testet a bit and read forum and bugreports.
some people describet, that new users or guest had decorated windows... my new users had no title bars.
but then i rememberd, i had installed ubuntu-mobile-default-settings because i changed back from xfce to gnome.
after deinstallation (with sudo dpkg --purge ...) everything was fine again.
hopefully this will help some of you

[Matt Underwood (matt-bargolf)]

Same problem for me - no Window Manager when my session logs in. I can start compiz manually from System->Preferences->Appearance->Visual Effects. Other user's don't seem to be affected, although possibly they aren't using desktop effects.

I tried removing .gconf* .gnome* and .config* after suggestions it was a gconf issue. This had no effect.
I tried sudo aptitude install ubuntu-desktop, but this made no changes and hence no effect.
I also tried gconftool-2 --set /desktop/gnome/session/required_components_list --type list --list-type=string ["windowmanager","panel","filemanager"] again no effect.

For now I've added 'compiz --replace' to my Startup Applications. This is cludgy but does seem to work of a fashion.

[Lark (florent-g)]

Same problem for me after a fresh install of Jaunty (keeping my home directory from Intrepid).
I got no window decoration neither gnome panel on session login. New users or guests were not affected by this problem. .xsession-errors says "Starting gtk-window-decorator"

I tried to remove .gconf/*, .gnome/* and .config/* without any effect.
Then I deleted every non-essential or obselete hidden file/directory in my home (and there were a lot since I'm keeping my home from ubuntu edgy ...). After reboot, the default jaunty theme and layout were back with compiz window decorations !
So I set back my desktop parameters (theme, icons, panel, etc). After logout-login, I lost window decorations again (but no panels).
I tried to remove gnome-compiz, logout-login : no effect but I notice that .xsession-errors now says "no window decorator found"
I installed back compiz without any change.

Notice that as reported above, turning effects on via Preferences > Appearance > Visual effects starts compiz and sets window decorations. If compiz is not installed, it starts metacity.

I attached the .xsession-errors I get when I login now.

[oneafrikan (gareth-knight)]

Same for me as pretty much everyone here.
Don't have "ubuntu-mobile-default-settings" installed tho'.

Getting lots of this in the .xsession-errors file:

(file-roller:12512): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: /build/buildd/glib2.0-2.20.1/gobject/gsignal.c:2387: instance `0x827d080' has no handler with id `1871'

(file-roller:12512): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: /build/buildd/glib2.0-2.20.1/gobject/gsignal.c:2387: instance `0x827d080' has no handler with id `1872'

** (file-roller:12512): CRITICAL **: egg_tree_multi_drag_source_row_draggable: assertion `path_list != NULL' failed

Have attached file for ref....

Anyone got any ideas?

[oneafrikan (gareth-knight)]

Got the problem sorted for me, hope this sorts it out for others too:

To get Metacity working, the dirty hack is to add:

metacity --replace

to the list of startup applications, which seems to work fine if you’re set against compiz.

I was, but after trying it a bit the last two days it’s much much better than when I last tried it a year ago, so I’ve taken most of the gee whiz out and kept some of the usable stuff.

So to use compiz, I’ve installed all the relevant Compiz packages in synaptic, as well as “Compiz Fusion Icon”, which actually turned out to be the missing link, as well as adding:

fusion-icon

to the list of startup apps. So now I have the Fusion Icon in the Notification area next to the volume applet, but most importantly my windows have decoration / borders, I can alt+tab, and switch between workspaces (each one has a diff purpose for me).

ref:
http://www.oneafrikan.com/archives/2009/05/19/jaunty-jackalope-upgrade-issues-evolution-window-decoration-workspace-switcher-alt-tab-not-working/

possible dupe of #371585

[Alexandre Racine (alexandreracine)]

What is the difference between:

metacity --replace

OR

compiz --replace

??

References :

#340140
#371585

[oneafrikan (gareth-knight)]

one replaces current window manager with metacity, the other with
compiz... make sense?

Alexandre Racine wrote:
> What is the difference between:
>
> metacity --replace
>
> OR
>
> compiz --replace
>
> ??
>
> References :
>
> #340140
> #371585
>

--

Regards
Gareth

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[Russel Winder (russel)]

I had been a Metacity stalwart, but decided to try compiz again having jsut bought a new laptop with Jaunty. I copied all my configuration files fromt he old laptop and everything worked fine. Now having changed to compiz I am getting this "no window manager on login" problem.

If there is any information I can gather to help solve this problem let me know.

[oneafrikan (gareth-knight)]

does this help?
http://www.oneafrikan.com/archives/2009/05/19/jaunty-jackalope-upgrade-issues-evolution-window-decoration-workspace-switcher-alt-tab-not-working/

Regards
Gareth

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2009/6/9 Russel Winder <email address hidden>

> I had been a Metacity stalwart, but decided to try compiz again having
> jsut bought a new laptop with Jaunty. I copied all my configuration
> files fromt he old laptop and everything worked fine. Now having
> changed to compiz I am getting this "no window manager on login"
> problem.
>
> If there is any information I can gather to help solve this problem let
> me know.
>
> --
> Jaunty - after upgrade from 8.10, no window decorator at login
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/348432
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
>
> Status in “compiz” source package in Ubuntu: New
>
> Bug description:
> I file a new bug because the other one wich is _matching_ this one talks
> about window manager, but it is a window decorator problem (see Bug #340140)
>
> After upgrading from intrepid, when login in with my account, no window
> manager is launched. I can't move any window, no decorations, etc...
> I am using compiz, and setting at each login in gnome-appearance-properties
> to Extra for compiz launches compiz and I have a window decorator.
>
> With a fresh account (I created one for test purpose) this bug does not
> appear. I am trying to figure out where does this come, but found nothing
> yet.
>
> I have an nvidia 8600, Jaunty up-to-date.
>
> I attached my .xsession-errors also. I had this bug when I updated from
> 8.10 to current Jaunty, three days ago.
>
> If you need something else, just ask.
>
> Description: Ubuntu jaunty (development branch)
> Release: 9.04
>
> apt-cache policy compiz
> compiz:
> Installé : 1:0.8.2-0ubuntu5
> Candidat : 1:0.8.2-0ubuntu5
> Table de version :
> *** 1:0.8.2-0ubuntu5 0
> 500 http://ubuntu.media.mit.edu jaunty/main Packages
> 100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
>

[Santiago Roland (santiago-roland)]

Hello, I'm having the same problem. I have Ubuntu Jaunty fresh installed on HP 6735s with ATI HD3200 graphics with restricted driver installed from the binary installer from the ATI website... now when i login, i have no window decoratino at all. I put Fusion Icon in Startup applications and every time i login from the first time, i have to right click in fusion icon and reload window manager... then compiz reloads with decoration (gtk-window-decoration)... i have decoration plugin enabled and tried to change the command to gtk-window-decorator --replace and it doesn't worked.... some ideas? i had to install ATI drivers because ubuntu package in "hardware drivers" made jockey crash a few times and with synaptics, the flgrx-driver hanged my laptop in login with strange lines and ubuntu echoes at tht top of the screen. Then, after installing ATI driver from the website following the installation guide, everything is fine... compiz works fine, 3D acceleration is awesome.... BUT with no decoration and no effects at login... in Fusion Icon the marked window manager appears to be as "compiz" but i have to reload every time to have all running fine....

any ideas?

Regards,