Hello ~ All,
Never install software unless you know exactly what it will DO!!
Wise, but impracticable...
I wanted to see what mythbuntu would do and explore its functionality.. BIG mistake...Now it has taken over my system - can't get my ubuntu 10.04 desktop back?
Via my ISO, I can see my files, and recognize them...How can I get rid of mythbuntu and regain gnome? I can't copy home folder to external HD, response ... easy tag won't allow...im in sudo....permissions I assume?
I might add....while in my ISO/CD, I think I'm running on C:HD...NOT my 2nd HD dedicated to Ubuntu, right? I can see gnome files and the HD, but VERY reluctant to DO anything for fear of corrupting C:HD where XP is. I can't - for sure - run the ISO on 2ND HD. It won't function when in that HD???

I've tried....sudo apt-get --reinstall install ubuntu-desktop.
Works to a point: autoremoved libstdc++5...continuing processing triggers for libc-bin.....continuing ldconfig deferred processing now taking place.....then stops at ~$ prompt...More cmds???? or what???
There's GOT to be an easier way from the cmd line to either delete mythbuntu or reinstall 10.04??? I've tried sudo apt-get remove mythbuntu....response....can't find pkgs.?
Thanks for help/suggestions..
John in Dallas

So do you log in through GDM? If so, there is a little combo box at the bottom to specify the kind of desktop you want to boot into (it usually doesn't appear until you enter your user name). If it is currently set to mythbuntu, then it would make sense that it doesn't take you into gnome.
As for apt-get not finding any mythbuntu-packages, that would make sense. I assume that mythbuntu is just a virtual package. Such a package is useful for selecting all packages that are related to a specific task but it is useless for removing them again; the packages need to be removed individually. Just search for anything myth* related and remove that instead:
aptitude search myth (i means installed)
If you read the apt-get or aptitude man pages, you will see that there are switches available that will remove packages based on regular expressions.

Hello - All
Thanks Jay for your reply, I appreciate it.
However, I don't have any OPTIONS after log on but a black screen with a line across the top with a 24hr clock??
By right clicking on that area, the launcher appears, I can get into files from properties, but NO option to delete anything??
Can I simply install from scratch with my CD/ISO?? Upon shutdown/restart my CD starts up and runs OK...I'm """"unsure"""" what to do at that point? If I mount the HD that contains ubuntu, will it install over itself?? OR - will it corrupt my C: drive and install over windows??? I have to be SURE of this before I proceed!!
While in the CD, I have NO ability to delete/cut/copy any of the myth pkgs....Just won't do it!! Can't copy my home folder, either!!! Response is ''easy tag'' won't allow...Permissions - I presume?
Thanks for help/suggestions.
John in Dallas

That sounds like bare X. That would happen if you removed the mythbuntu desktop and ubuntu-desktop failed to install as a replacement.
Maybe switch to a console (Ctrl + Alt + F1), log in and run
aptitude search ubuntu-desktop | less
If it prints a list of packages (you can scroll using the enter key) that includes said package, it can be installed with:
sudo aptitude install ubuntu-desktop
When it is done:
sudo /etc/init.d/gdm stop && sudo /etc/init.d/gdm start (technically, just sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart should work)
That should take you to the GDM log-in screen (if not, Ctrl + Alt + F7)

If it doesn't work but you want to back up your home folder, return to the console, log in and run sudo fdisk -l
That should print a list of your current partitions. The one that has XP should be the first one (it will be marked "NTFS"). If it has enough space to hold the back-up, just run
sudo cp -Rv /home/username /dev/sda1 (assuming the XP partition is sda1). Wait for it to finish and leave the console (alt + f7) again.

Yes, if the above failed to rescue your system, it may be the more convenient option. You'd better use the ubuntu install cd rather than the mythbuntu cd. Obviously, it's going to overwrite your files so you'd better make a back-up if there is anything worthwhile saving. It won't overwrite XP, though, providing you're careful. More specifically, at the partitioning stage ("Prepare disk space"), do NOT use "automatic" or "guided" but "manual" instead. Then:
- select the mythbuntu partition and click on the "delete partition" button. That should create "free space".
- select the free space, click on "New partition", now a dialog box pops up. Select "logical", 10240 as size, "Beginning", use as: ext4, mount point: /, "OK"
- select free space, "New partition", Select "logical", 2048 as size, "Beginning", use as: swap, "OK"
- select free space, "New partition", "Logical", all the remaining space as size, "Beginning", use as: ext4, mountpoint: /home, "OK".
Nothing has happened yet. If you get it wrong, start over by deleting the partitions you have created or selecting them and using the "edit" button. It is only when you click on the Forward button that your changes are actually written to disk (and you'll get a warning first).

The livecd runs in its own environment, which is read-only. If you want it to run the programs on your drive, you need to select "rescue broken system" when the cd boots up.
To edit/copy/save your home folder from the livecd, you'll have to mount it first.

Hello - All,
Finally found the right formats to get myth OFF my ubuntu 10.04!!
sudo echo "/usr/sbin/gdm" >> /ect/x11/default-display-manager

That gave me ability to login to gnome...then uninstall all things ''''mythbuntu''''.. Myth really messed up everything...nvidia settings - GONE...Huge icons and text,.....After a reboot it all came back to normal...HOW? Haven't a clue....but it worked...
Nice to solve problems I've created..
Thanks for your help.
John in Dallas