unity "sidebar" stays on top and won't hide if not used

[Alfred]

Binary package hint: unity

After some time, the unity sidebar will stay on top on the left side and won't hide automatically. The problem can only be resolved after logging off and on. The ability to work is crippled after the sidebar stays on top over all applications so their menus are not accessbile anymore.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
Package: unity 3.8.12-0ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-9.43-generic 2.6.38.4
Uname: Linux 2.6.38-9-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
Architecture: amd64
CompizPlugins: [core,bailer,detection,composite,opengl,decor,move,snap,grid,compiztoolbox,gnomecompat,place,mousepoll,resize,imgpng,vpswitch,regex,session,unitymtgrabhandles,animation,wall,expo,ezoom,workarounds,staticswitcher,fade,scale,unityshell]
CompositorRunning: compiz
Date: Mon May 9 22:22:16 2011
DistUpgraded: Fresh install
DistroCodename: natty
DistroVariant: ubuntu
DkmsStatus:
 fglrx, 8.840, 2.6.38-9-generic, x86_64: installed
 fglrx, 8.840, 2.6.38-8-generic, x86_64: installed
 nvidia-current, 270.41.06, 2.6.38-9-generic, x86_64: installed
 nvidia-current, 270.41.06, 2.6.38-8-generic, x86_64: installed
GraphicsCard:
 ATI Technologies Inc Radeon HD 3300 Graphics [1002:9614] (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
   Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device [1849:9614]
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Beta amd64 (20110413)
InstallationMedia_: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Beta amd64 (20110413)
InstallationMedia__: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Beta amd64 (20110413)
JockeyStatus: xorg:fglrx - Proprietärer FGLRX-Grafiktreiber von ATI/AMD (Proprietär, Aktiviert, In Benutzung)
MachineType: To Be Filled By O.E.M. To Be Filled By O.E.M.
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=de_AT:en
 LANG=de_AT.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-9-generic root=UUID=335c5536-e4ad-4387-b456-ce0b37839bff ro vga=792 splash quiet splash radeon.modeset=1 vt.handoff=7
ProcVersionSignature_: Ubuntu 2.6.38-9.43-generic 2.6.38.4
ProcVersionSignature__: Ubuntu 2.6.38-9.43-generic 2.6.38.4
Renderer: Unknown
SourcePackage: unity
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 12/15/2010
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: P1.10
dmi.board.name: 939A790GMH
dmi.board.vendor: ASRock
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.chassis.type: 3
dmi.chassis.vendor: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.chassis.version: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvrP1.10:bd12/15/2010:svnToBeFilledByO.E.M.:pnToBeFilledByO.E.M.:pvrToBeFilledByO.E.M.:rvnASRock:rn939A790GMH:rvr:cvnToBeFilledByO.E.M.:ct3:cvrToBeFilledByO.E.M.:
dmi.product.name: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.product.version: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
dmi.sys.vendor: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
drirc:
 <driconf>
 </driconf>
version.compiz: compiz 1:0.9.4+bzr20110415-0ubuntu2
version.fglrx-installer: fglrx-installer N/A
version.ia32-libs: ia32-libs 20090808ubuntu13
version.libdrm2: libdrm2 2.4.23-1ubuntu6
version.libgl1-mesa-dri: libgl1-mesa-dri 7.10.2-0ubuntu2
version.libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental: libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental N/A
version.libgl1-mesa-glx: libgl1-mesa-glx 7.10.2-0ubuntu2
version.xserver-xorg: xserver-xorg 1:7.6+4ubuntu3
version.xserver-xorg-video-ati: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:6.14.0-0ubuntu4
version.xserver-xorg-video-intel: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.14.0-4ubuntu7.1
version.xserver-xorg-video-nouveau: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau 1:0.0.16+git20110107+b795ca6e-0ubuntu7

[Alexander Broshevich (vcosvic)]

I confirm this bug. Actually that's when i couldn't put up with the great amount of unity bugs anymore and switched back to gnome. How is it possible that Unity has been included in Ubuntu, is it a joke?

[Alfred (alfred-egger)]

If it happens again, I will try to execute "unity --replace" and see if it helps temporarily. This problem should be resolved anyway.

[Merijn Schering (mschering)]

I've noticed that it happens particularly when I use netbeans. Maybe it has something todo with it's design. It also doesn't have the menu in the new style of unity.

[Merijn Schering (mschering)]

Additionally: when I close netbeans, launch another program like EOG and maximize it, it will disappear again.

[Merijn Schering (mschering)]

Sorry for my triple post but I found a way to reproduce the bug easily,

1. Install and launch netbeans.
2. Open two files.
3. Drag one of the tabbed file panels next to the main panel.
4. The menu bar appears and won't go away!
5. Close netbeans
6. Launch EOG and maximize it.
7. Bar goes away again.

[Martijn Meijer (toolunious)]

Merijn's post helps a lot, I was wondering what caused it. Thanks!

[Lexen (lexen1)]

This bug effects me almost constantly. It always happens when I use Kdenlive because you drag and drop things and whenever you do that the sidebar pops up and won't go away.

[Stuart Sale (stuart-sale)]

Also seeing this problem. "unity --replace" does not help

[Colby (cek1227)]

I have stumbled across a way to make the sidebar hide again. I have Firefox running full screen with 3 pinned tabs. If I move one of the pinned tabs, or even drag it enough to enable the move without actually dropping it, the sidebar will re-hide. It may require dragging the tab far enough left to overlap the sidebar, which triggers the hide.

[Martin Gross (pc-coholic)]

mailchimp.com

Zitat von Colby <email address hidden>:

> I have stumbled across a way to make the sidebar hide again. I have
> Firefox running full screen with 3 pinned tabs. If I move one of the
> pinned tabs, or even drag it enough to enable the move without actually
> dropping it, the sidebar will re-hide. It may require dragging the tab
> far enough left to overlap the sidebar, which triggers the hide.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are a direct subscriber
> of the bug.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/780121
>
> Title:
> unity "sidebar" stays on top and won't hide if not used
>
> Status in Unity:
> Confirmed
> Status in ?unity? package in Ubuntu:
> Confirmed
>
> Bug description:
> Binary package hint: unity
>
> After some time, the unity sidebar will stay on top on the left side
> and won't hide automatically. The problem can only be resolved after
> logging off and on. The ability to work is crippled after the sidebar
> stays on top over all applications so their menus are not accessbile
> anymore.
>
> ProblemType: Bug
> DistroRelease: Ubuntu 11.04
> Package: unity 3.8.12-0ubuntu1
> ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.38-9.43-generic 2.6.38.4
> Uname: Linux 2.6.38-9-generic x86_64
> NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
> Architecture: amd64
> CompizPlugins:
> [core,bailer,detection,composite,opengl,decor,move,snap,grid,compiztoolbox,gnomecompat,place,mousepoll,resize,imgpng,vpswitch,regex,session,unitymtgrabhandles,animation,wall,expo,ezoom,workarounds,staticswitcher,fade,scale,unityshell]
> CompositorRunning: compiz
> Date: Mon May 9 22:22:16 2011
> DistUpgraded: Fresh install
> DistroCodename: natty
> DistroVariant: ubuntu
> DkmsStatus:
>  fglrx, 8.840, 2.6.38-9-generic, x86_64: installed
>  fglrx, 8.840, 2.6.38-8-generic, x86_64: installed
>  nvidia-current, 270.41.06, 2.6.38-9-generic, x86_64: installed
>  nvidia-current, 270.41.06, 2.6.38-8-generic, x86_64: installed
> GraphicsCard:
>  ATI Technologies Inc Radeon HD 3300 Graphics [1002:9614] (prog-if
> 00 [VGA controller])
>    Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device [1849:9614]
> InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Beta amd64 (20110413)
> InstallationMedia_: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Beta amd64 (20110413)
> InstallationMedia__: Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" - Beta amd64 (20110413)
> JockeyStatus: xorg:fglrx - Proprietärer FGLRX-Grafiktreiber von
> ATI/AMD (Proprietär, Aktiviert, In Benutzung)
> MachineType: To Be Filled By O.E.M. To Be Filled By O.E.M.
> ProcEnviron:
>  LANGUAGE=de_AT:en
>  LANG=de_AT.UTF-8
>  SHELL=/bin/bash
> ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-2.6.38-9-generic
> root=UUID=335c5536-e4ad-4387-b456-ce0b37839bff ro vga=792 splash
> quiet splash radeon.modeset=1 vt.handoff=7
> ProcVersionSignature_: Ubuntu 2.6.38-9.43-generic 2.6.38.4
> ProcVersionSignature__: Ubuntu 2.6.38-9.43-generic 2.6.38.4
> Renderer: Unknown
> SourcePackage: unity
> UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
> dmi.bios.date: 12/15/2010
> dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
> dmi.bios.version: P1.10
> dmi.board.name:...

[Stuart Sale (stuart-sale)]

The trick with firefox tabs also works for me, only with chrome being used in the place of firefox.

[mpeniak (mpeniak)]

same problem when I use Opera

[Nuno Zimas (nzimas)]

Happens to me every time I am on one of the LibreOffice 3.x applications and move the cursor towards the upper right corner. The side bar is triggered and from then on stays on top until I close the session. Really annoying.
Running 11.04 64 bit. It is up to date.

[Stuart Sale (stuart-sale)]

Dragging track names around in clementine (0.7.1 r3391) appears to cause the sidebar to refuse to hide for me.

[Renji (romd996)]

The firefox tab trick hides the sidebar!

[Merijn Schering (mschering)]

Any word from the development team about this? This bug made me give up on Unity and I'm using "Classic mode" for months now. Classic mode works fine for me but if Unity is going to be the future I hope you will fix these critical usability bugs faster! I use Ubuntu daily at home and at work and I'm used to faster bug fixing than this.

[Omer Akram (om26er)]

to reproduce with netbeans the problem is that its not installable in Oneiric due to some depedencies problem. I tried to reproduce with Kdenlive in Oneiric and this problem did not occur.

[Radim (radim-tobolka)]

Omer, have you considered installing it directly from netbeans.org? That might bypass dependency problems, as I can see, the basic bundle already contains Java SE.

http://netbeans.org/downloads/index.html

[Stuart Sale (stuart-sale)]

Omer have you tried reproducing with clementine? It is in Oneiric.

[Omer Akram (om26er)]

The issue with Clementine is the same as with all the QT apps i.e. when anything is dragged the launcher shows but on drop it does not go away, that bug has been fixed in Oneiric and will hopefully be fixed in Natty as well. Can you install Unity from this ppa https://launchpad.net/~om26er/+archive/unity and let me known if that solves the issue for you. Also see bug 769703

[Stuart Sale (stuart-sale)]

The version of unity in the ppa fixes the issue with clementine for me. Thanks

[Omer Akram (om26er)]

Thanks for the confirmation, we are working for the fix to this issue for Natty users.

[KrosseKrabbe (krossekrabbe)]

It just happened again, so it does every day a few times. This bug sucks hell, importance should be increased!!

It's nearly impossible to continue working when the sidebar hangs, but i don't want to quit all applications every time. That bug is a really annoying workflow-breaker.

[Omer Akram (om26er)]

The fixed unity has been upload to natty-proposed but have not yet
been approved by the SRU team, I hope that will happen during the
week, after that you will see it in the proposed updates.

[falkTX (Old) (falk-t-j)]

this bug seems to trigger when the user uses some drag operation in a non-gtk application (be it Java, Qt or KDE).

this is specially annoying with Dolphin... :(

[Omer Akram (om26er)]

Please read my last comment, the fix has already been uploaded to
Natty proposed you just have to follow the instructions, the fix will
reach to you by normal updates channel in a few days as well.

[John Tocher (jmtocher)]

This is still affecting me. running 11.10 64 bit. The browser tab trick does not work for me. I cannot pinpoint exactly what caused it.

For what it's worth, the top icon looks highlighted/active, regardless of the window states. I've attached a cropped screenshot for reference.

[Omer Akram (om26er)]

this particular (was specific to 11.04) bug has been fixed in Ubuntu 11.04 update. John please report a new bug report using the command 'ubuntu-bug unity' with the kind steps to reproduce the problem.