compizconfig-settings makes Unity desktop unusable

[Piotr Putrzyński]

After clicking an option "Preferences" in ccsm Unity desktop crashes. The only option after that is to restart X.org/lightdm. Unfortunately, even after a reboot Unity isn't started anymore, making Ubuntu desktop completely unusable.
The problem lays in .config/compiz-1/compizconfig/config file which is modified by ccsm in a wrong way.
You can probably reproduce this bug by applying attached diff.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.10
Package: compizconfig-settings-manager 0.9.5.92-0ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.0.0-11.18-generic 3.0.4
Uname: Linux 3.0.0-11-generic i686
ApportVersion: 1.23-0ubuntu1
Architecture: i386
Date: Fri Oct 7 10:57:04 2011
ExecutablePath: /usr/bin/ccsm
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.10 "Oneiric Ocelot" - Beta i386 (20110921.2)
InterpreterPath: /usr/bin/python2.7
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 LANG=pl_PL.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: compizconfig-settings-manager
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Ubuntu Foundations Team Bug Bot (crichton)]

The attachment "Diff ilustrates the wrong change made by cssm making desktop unusable even after a reboot." of this bug report has been identified as being a patch. The ubuntu-reviewers team has been subscribed to the bug report so that they can review the patch. In the event that this is in fact not a patch you can resolve this situation by removing the tag 'patch' from the bug report and editing the attachment so that it is not flagged as a patch. Additionally, if you are member of the ubuntu-sponsors please also unsubscribe the team from this bug report.

[This is an automated message performed by a Launchpad user owned by Brian Murray. Please contact him regarding any issues with the action taken in this bug report.]

[scott flynn (scottdavidflynn)]

This behavior is confirmed on my desktop as well. I am currently using unity 2d as my 3d is trashed and unusable due to compiz settings (and the subsequent crash).

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[Rik Shaw (rik-shaw)]

Bug also affects me. In my case I didn't notice the issue until clicking "export settings" (but could have initiated by selecting preferences). To explain further, unity is "gone" (dash and top panel). Upon reboot, get the "global menu" of nautilus as a "top panel" and nothing else. Could start a terminal session, but then it hung as well forcing a "hard reboot" and then went into Unity 2D.

In Unity 2D I deleted the ~/.config/compiz-1 and the ~/.compiz-1 folders. Then, logging out of 2D and back into 3D has things "working again" (of course any changes to ccsm are lost). So, definitely corruption in those areas (deleted both of them at once so couldn't isolate down to one of them being the problem).

I don't know if it is applicable, but the only changes I had made in ccsm prior to clicking on the "export settings" button were to the Unity Plugin: launcher icon size, automaximize value and to the Grid Plugin: keyboard bindings and the "top edge" binding.

[Rik Shaw (rik-shaw)]

I should have clarified that this is with 11.10 final release, not the beta as the original poster had reported the bug under.

[Simon P. (simpre)]

same here. installed 11.10 and added the compiz settings manager. after finishing the installation the desktop already behaved a little strange (for example ALT+Tab wouldn't display the window switcher any more). After going trough some of the settings, the settings manager would freeze and leave you with a grey screen. computer doesn't react any more and after a cold restart the unity surface is not available any more.
I can reproduce this bug by simply installing the compiz manager again after a fresh installation of Ubuntu.

[Simon P. (simpre)]

PS: For me the problem also started when I pressed the "Preferences" button.

[Simon P. (simpre)]

Found how to fix that problem: for some reason clicking on "preferences" in the compizconfig manager disables the Unity plugin. Start Ubuntu with the 2D fallback mode, open the compizconfig settings manager again and enable the Unity plugin!

[david6 (andrew-dowden)]

Bug #869840, Comment #9 very useful. THANKS.

Should there be separation of Unity and Unity-2D settings in CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM) ?

( YES, I know this cross-control is needed for Commnet #9 fix, and have used it. )