[karmic] impossible to switch from kdm to gdm

[Katsudon]

Kubuntu Karmic, with all upgrades installed.
Firstly, kubuntu was installed, then ubuntu-desktop was added.

It is impossible to switch from kdm to gdm using the standard command:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm
  * Reloading GNOME Display Manager configuration...
  * Changes will take effect when all current X sessions have ended.
invoke-rc.d: initscript gdm, action "reload" failed.

On the other hand, the command:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure kdm

results with no output.
In each case, the standard dialog "Select the desired default display manager" is not shown and kdm keeps running after the restart of the system.

[David Wynn (wynn-david)]

I am simply confirming this issue. (gdm version 2.27.4-0ubuntu11) Both on install, and when running "dpkg-reconfigure gdm", gdm returns the issue provided by the OP.

When I try to purge gdm from the system, I get
subprocess installed post-removal script returned error exit status 1

While installed, if I try to run gdmsetup, it shows the frontend, but any attempt to "unlock" the frontend so I can change settings, results in nothing. The window just sits there as if I'd never pressed anything.

Running gdmsetup through a terminal window results in the following initial messages:

** (gdmsetup:7290): WARNING **: Error calling GetValue('daemon/TimedLoginEnable'): The name org.gnome.DisplayManager was not provided by any .service files

** (gdmsetup:7290): WARNING **: Error calling GetValue('daemon/TimedLoginDelay'): The name org.gnome.DisplayManager was not provided by any .service files
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: init delay=30
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: GdmUserManager: skipping shell /bin/false
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: Failed to identify the current session: Unable to lookup session information for process '7290'

** (gdmsetup:7290): WARNING **: Unable to find users: no seat-id found
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: GdmUserManager: explicitly skipping user: nobody
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: GdmUserManager: user icon changed
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: adding monitor for '/home/dawynn/.face'
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: GdmUserManager: user icon changed
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: adding monitor for '/home/mommy/.face'
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: GdmUserManager: user icon changed
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: adding monitor for '/home/alex/.face'
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: GdmUserManager: user icon changed
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: adding monitor for '/home/derek/.face'
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: Getting list of sessions for user 1004
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: Found 0 sessions for user derek
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: Getting list of sessions for user 1002
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: Found 0 sessions for user alex
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: Getting list of sessions for user 1003
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: Found 0 sessions for user mommy
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: Getting list of sessions for user 1000
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: Found 1 sessions for user dawynn
** (gdmsetup:7290): DEBUG: GdmUserManager: not adding session on other seat: /org/freedesktop/ConsoleKit/Session1

When I try the unlock button, I get the following additional messages:

** (gdmsetup:7290): WARNING **: Failed to unlock: The name org.gnome.DisplayManager was not provided by any .service files

I tried installing the jaunty version of gdm (2.20.10-0ubuntu2) but x11-common would not allow it.
I searched the debian package lists, and could find no versions of gdm (not even in sid) that were even as recent as the jaunty version.

[komputes (komputes)]

I did it the other way around but I can still confirm this bug; installed Ubuntu then installed kubuntu-desktop. I have the same problem, I can no longer select the Desktop Manager.

The following command:
$ sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm
should bring up the debconf box to pick the Desktop Manager (i.e. login window) of my choice, but it doesn't show up.

[marcobra (Marco Braida) (marcobra)]

In my updated/upgraded karmic system if i do a

sudo dpkg-reconfigure kdm

it show me the cli box to pick the Desktop Manager.

if i do

sudo dpkg-reconfigure gdm

i cannot select any desktop manager and the command return:

 * Reloading GNOME Display Manager
 * Changes will take effect when all current X sessions have ended.

Hope this helps

[Michael Hüttemann (michael-huettemann)]

@marcobra

Thanks, that worked.

[Sebastien Bacher (seb128)]

Thanks for the bug report. This particular bug has already been reported, but feel free to report any other bugs you find.