Adding UNITY_FORCE_START=1 to /etc/environment as suggested worked for me as well. using nvidia 270.41.06 (x86_64) on GeForce Go 7300 not sure if it works correcly, because it uses metacity (with composition anabled) instead of compiz i can't get compiz to work: pawel@xaos-laptop:~$ compiz --replace Backend : gconf Integration : true Profile : unity Adding plugins Initializing core options...done Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 0 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Window created on XQueryTree, map state isViewable? 1 Initializing bailer options...done Initializing detection options...done Initializing composite options...done Initializing opengl options...done Initializing decor options...done Initializing staticswitcher options...done Initializing resize options...done Initializing move options...done Initializing place options...done Initializing gnomecompat options...done Initializing vpswitch options...done I/O warning : failed to load external entity "/home/pawel/.compiz/session/104b3aa2d319d4155b130414783269824900000023370000" Initializing session options...done Initializing mousepoll options...done Initializing grid options...done Initializing snap options...done Initializing wall options...done Initializing unitymtgrabhandles options...done Initializing animation options...done Initializing fade options...done Initializing scale options...done Initializing workarounds options...done Initializing expo options...done ** (:4034): DEBUG: Unity accessibility initialization ** (:4034): DEBUG: Shows on edge: 1 Screen geometry changed: Monitor 0(primary) 0x0x1280x800 unity-panel-service: no process found ** (:4034): DEBUG: PanelController:: Added Panel for Monitor 0 Initializing unityshell options...done ** (:4034): DEBUG: PlaceEntry: Applications ** (:4034): DEBUG: PlaceEntry: Commands ** (:4034): DEBUG: PlaceEntry: Files & Folders ** (:4034): DEBUG: /com/canonical/unity/applicationsplace ** (:4034): DEBUG: /com/canonical/unity/filesplace Starting unity-window-decorator ** (:4034): DEBUG: Setting to primary screen rect: x=0 y=0 w=1280 h=800 ** (:4034): DEBUG: Lost the name com.canonical.Unity.Launcher on the session bus ** (:4034): DEBUG: Connected to proxy ** (:4034): DEBUG: Connected to proxy ** (:4034): DEBUG: Connected to proxy (:4034): GLib-GIO-CRITICAL **: g_bus_own_name: assertion `g_dbus_is_name (name) && !g_dbus_is_unique_name (name)' failed (:4034): GLib-GIO-CRITICAL **: g_bus_watch_name: assertion `g_dbus_is_name (name)' failed (:4034): GLib-GIO-CRITICAL **: g_bus_own_name: assertion `g_dbus_is_name (name) && !g_dbus_is_unique_name (name)' failed (:4034): GLib-GIO-CRITICAL **: g_bus_watch_name: assertion `g_dbus_is_name (name)' failed (:4034): GLib-GIO-CRITICAL **: g_dbus_connection_register_object: assertion `object_path != NULL && g_variant_is_object_path (object_path)' failed (:4034): GLib-GIO-CRITICAL **: g_dbus_connection_register_object: assertion `object_path != NULL && g_variant_is_object_path (object_path)' failed Setting Update "expo_edge" ** (:4034): DEBUG: IndicatorAdded: libapplication.so ** (:4034): DEBUG: IndicatorAdded: libsoundmenu.so ** (:4034): DEBUG: IndicatorAdded: libmessaging.so ** (:4034): DEBUG: IndicatorAdded: libdatetime.so ** (:4034): DEBUG: IndicatorAdded: libme.so ** (:4034): DEBUG: IndicatorAdded: libsession.so ^C (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: invalid (NULL) pointer instance (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: instance of invalid non-instantiatable type `(null)' (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: instance of invalid non-instantiatable type `(null)' (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: instance of invalid non-instantiatable type `(null)' (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: instance of invalid non-instantiatable type `(null)' (:4034): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: g_signal_handler_disconnect: assertion `G_TYPE_CHECK_INSTANCE (instance)' failed (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: /build/buildd/glib2.0-2.28.6/./gobject/gsignal.c:2392: instance `0x1849180' has no handler with id `732' (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: /build/buildd/glib2.0-2.28.6/./gobject/gsignal.c:2392: instance `0x1849180' has no handler with id `733' (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: /build/buildd/glib2.0-2.28.6/./gobject/gsignal.c:2392: instance `0x1849080' has no handler with id `727' (:4034): GLib-GObject-WARNING **: /build/buildd/glib2.0-2.28.6/./gobject/gsignal.c:2392: instance `0x1849080' has no handler with id `728' (:4034): GLib-CRITICAL **: g_source_unref: assertion `source != NULL' failed