finding the default desktop

[Chrisrshaw]

Hi,
When I installed Ubuntu 10.04 a few days ago, what appeared was a page with software categories down the left side and a menu bar along the top. I've since learned that the default desktop has two menu panel, one at the top and one at the bottom and that the top panel contains three menus - Applications, Places, and System.

Could someone please tell me how to find this default desktop, it's got to be there somewhere!?

With thanks
Chris

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !

Right click on the Top Panel and select Add Applet to Panel ( Or something related to Applets ). Select Menu bar Applet from the list. IIRC, there are two applets for Menu in the list. Try both. You can remove Applets easily by right click on it and select 'Remove'.

[Chrisrshaw]

Hi Devils Casper,
Many thanks for your reply to my question about finding the default desktop.

I have tried what you suggested but, unfortunately, no success. When I right click on the top panel I get a drop down menu containing 5 headings; Preferences, About, Remove From Panel, Move, and Lock To Panel. The last 3 are greyed out and so inaccessible. Clicking on Preferences I get one window containing a check box called Show Windows From All Workspaces. (Nothing happens when the box is checked or unchecked). Under About, a window appears called Window Picker Applet but it has a no entry symbol there (red circle with diagonal bar) and nothing further can be done.

Unfortunately, since I posted my question, I have added to my woes by going to the Main Menu Preferences and foolishly closing most of the icon categories, including System Preferences. I thought that if they were closed perhaps the default desktop would be revealed beneath them. I now have only two icon available - Favorites (now empty) and Files. So I can't access anything except my personal files and the system files.

Can you please help me out of this hole.

Thanks again
Chris

[devils casper]

When I right click on the top panel I get a drop down menu containing 5 headings; Preferences, About, Remove From Panel, Move, and Lock To Panel. The last 3 are greyed out and so inaccessible.

It means you are not clicking on an Empty area of Panel. You are clicking on existing Applets. Try any other area on Top Panel. There must be an option "Add Applet".

[Chrisrshaw]

Hi again,
Thanks for your support and patience. I've done what you say and clicked carefully all along the panel, even between applets such as the date/time, internet access, and shut down button, but still no variation.

Could there perhaps be an alternative way into the problem?

By the way I very much like your Gertrude Stein quote about genius!
Chris

[jayd512]

Welcome to the Forums!

Try doing a 'right-click' on an empty area in the toolbar. Like smack dab in the middle of it.
That always gave me a heckuva time when I started looking at toolbar options... in a variety of OS's.

[Chrisrshaw]

Hi Jayd512,
It's your click-happy chum here. Thanks for getting involved with this problem. I have succeeded in getting another drop down menu to appear, - seems like when I click on the edge of the panel. It offers Add To Panel, Properties, Delete This Panel, New Panel, Help and About Panels. But the ones that matter - Add To Panel, Delete This Panel and New Panel are greyed out.

Is searching on the top bar my only option? If doing a complete re-installation is possible from this situation I'm happy to give it a shot. But at the moment the Install Ubuntu window is not accessible.

The thought of Microsoft Windows again, brings up suicidal urges.
Chris

[jayd512]

What do you have there? From the sound if the menu listings it might be Gnome?

I think for Ubuntu default, you wanna update the system, then try to 'Add to Panel'.

That worked for me.
If not, post any error or issues.

[Chrisrshaw]

Hi Jay,
I think you're onto it. What you say has the ring of truth. It is Gnome. I have a netbook computer and downloaded Ubuntu 10.04 netbook edition. I installed it from a USB stick about a week ago. Though Update Manager told me that I should install the updates, I haven't done it yet. I connect to the internet via an aircard so the connection is slow and there are about 250MBs of updates required. I was waiting until I was online for a long session.

Now the big question is without access to the software how can I download the updates? While clicking around today the Update Manager window came up. I can't remember how or where. But do you think without Firefox I'll be lucky enough to get into it again, get online and perform the necessary updates?

A ray of hope is just appearing.
Chris

[jayd512]

One thing you can try...
Open up a terminal and delete your ~/.gnome directory. Unfortunately, this will kill any customizations you've made. But on logging back in, you should be back at a default desktop.

*EDIT*
If that doesn't work, you also might delete the ~/.gconf directory, as this is where some of your personal settings are located, but try my other suggestion first.