howdy linux desktop users:

i've been using xfce4 and slackware for many years... occasionally, the panel comes up empty without the launcher icons--many posts on this subject, and all you have to do is remove the ~/.cache/sessions/xf*", start a new session and it's back in business...

well, today i experience new style of panel corruption, and deleting cached session files hasn't fixed it, grr. When xfce begins, the panel is not empty, but all the launcher icons have reset to the same generic launcher icon, the open box with rulers, pens, and a scroll sticking out of it, with names of "New Item" and empty command... so there's still the same number of launchers as I had, and the same layout on the panel, but their contents are all gone... I've already just reselected the icons, renamed them, and filled in their commands, and moved past it, however, I would like to know if anyone else has ever experienced this particular style of xfce4 panel corruption, and if anyone knows what to do when this happens, or knows a good log to check for clues...

all input is greatly appreciated; thanks for making lq the best!

I have similar experience before, twice more, maybe, but I prevented this happening again by Menu>Settings>Xfce Settings Manager> Session and Startup> tick the Automatically Save Session on Logout. Yet when at times desktop icons disappear I did again up to Desktop> tick Let Xfce Manage Desktop. The problem was averted. All by way of GUI configurations provided.

But this one you have is different.

Try go to ~/.cache/sessions/ look from something like "xfce-session-darkstar:0.bak" force rename it to "xfce-session-darkstar:0" then reload desktop by this command in the terminal--

I hope it will work. Come back if not. :-)

Another way is to clear out the ~/.cache folder and delete ~/.ICEauthority, .Xauthority and .xsession hidden files, then logon afresh.

Good luck.