Comment 7 for bug 399974

This is still an issue with nautilus 1:2.28.0-0ubuntu2 (using fully up-to-date karmic as of 25-sept-2009).

The bug can be easily reproduced by following these steps:

1. Start with default settings, and with at least one icon on the desktop.
2. Click and drag a desktop icon.
3. Release the button. You will notice that the icon is not moved to where you put it exactly, but to the nearest point in a grid.
4. Right-click on the desktop background, and uncheck the "Keep aligned" option.
5. Click and drag the icon again.
6. On release you will notice that the icon is moved to precisely where you put it. I.e., the grid has been disabled.
7. Log out and back in. If you repeat the experiment, you will notice you are back to default settings; the "Keep aligned" option has not been saved. That is the bug.

@Anton Kraus: the setting you mention in gconf is for icons in a nautilus window, not the desktop. I haven't found a gconf option for this setting.