Fedora 16, Gnome 3.2.1, gconfig-editor, gnome tweak wont add buttons to windows
 

Fedora 16, Gnome 3.2.1,
gconfig-editor desktop.gnome.shell.windows.button_layout :minimize,maximize,close
gnome-tweak-tool shell arrangement of buttons on titlebar All
Minimize, Maximize, Close buttons are not displayed on windows.

Alt F2, r, logout-login, no change.

are you reporting terminal commands or did you actually use the gui for the settings?

gui. haven't tried term commands.

gconftool-2 doesn't work either

output of gconftool --all-entries. notice button_layout is set to :minimize,maximize,close

# gconftool-2 --all-entries /desktop/gnome/shell/windows
theme = Adwaita
button_layout = :minimize,maximize,close
attach_modal_dialogs = true
edge_tiling = true
workspaces_only_on_primary = true

Did you try to edit the conf manualy before using the tools?
If so, check your syntax, it often happens that people forget a semicolon or space here and there.

Nope, because I'm not familiar with it. I had to do that once before with F15, but I had to find out how to edit it on the Web. However, some magic happened because it started working. It started working when I set the parameters throught the Configuration Editor in Apps.

Thanks for your help.