Comment 117 for bug 349519

I just ran into this bug also.

Fresh install of ubuntu-9.04-netbook-remix-i386.img on my Asus EEE 1000HA and applied all updates.

Then I switched over to Classic mode and rebooted. Panels were gone. Alt+F2 doesn't work so I had to make a desktop shortcut to gnome-terminal to do stuff (including launching gnome-panel).

I hope it gets fixed soon.. it has been a while and it has probably annoyed other people more than it has annoyed me.