hi guys
i have lost all sub folder details since last lot of updates. is there any way of doing a restore at all?
cheers

Which subfolders?

The menu only has directory headings with nothing in them. Just happened after a system update.But i do get the following error message at startup:

Couldn't initialize plugin applications : Traceback (most recent call last):

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/mintMenu.py", line 317, in PopulatePlugins
MyPlugin.do_plugin()

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/applications.py", line 1324, in do_plugin
self.Todos()

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/applications.py", line 586, in Todos
self.buildButtonList()

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/applications.py", line 615, in buildButtonList
self.updateBoxes(False)

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/applications.py", line 1727, in updateBoxes
item["button"] = MenuApplicationLauncher( item["entry"].get_desktop_file_path(), self.iconSize, item["category"], self.showapplicationcomments, highlight=(True and menu_has_changed) )

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/easybuttons.py", line 479, in __init__
ApplicationLauncher.__init__( self, desktopFile, iconSize )

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/easybuttons.py", line 254, in __init__
desktopItem = xdg.DesktopEntry.DesktopEntry( desktopFile )

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/xdg/DesktopEntry.py", line 33, in __init__
self.parse(filename)

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/xdg/DesktopEntry.py", line 42, in parse
IniFile.parse(self, file, ["Desktop Entry", "KDE Desktop Entry"])

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/xdg/IniFile.py", line 81, in parse
raise ParsingError("Invalid line: " + line, filename)

ParsingError: ParsingError in file '/usr/share/applications/mate-color-select.desktop', Invalid line:


So i guess there has been a problem on update.
Can the system be restored like windows or will i have to reinstall.
Been running 17.1 and 17.2 mint for last 12 months and this is first problem i have had.
Cheers

It might help to know what desktop environment you are using: Cinnamon, MATE, or something else?

Here's a test you can do:

1. Create a new user. You can use sudo adduser to do that (assuming Mint includes that command; I'm not in a position to check my Mint box).

2. Log out, then log back in as the new user.

If the menu works properly for the new user, then something has gone awry in the hidden configuration files within your user's home directory; that's usually fairly easy to fix. If it does not, the problem is something larger.

Try the test and let us know what happens.

Ok will give it a go .just left for work will be away a week will try soonest and post results thanks for reply. Cheers

Hi created new user but that hasn't helped. Using Mint Mate 17.2.
Get the following error when logging in.
ouldn't initialize plugin applications : Traceback (most recent call last):

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/mintMenu.py", line 317, in PopulatePlugins
MyPlugin.do_plugin()

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/applications.py", line 1324, in do_plugin
self.Todos()

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/applications.py", line 586, in Todos
self.buildButtonList()

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/applications.py", line 615, in buildButtonList
self.updateBoxes(False)

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/applications.py", line 1727, in updateBoxes
item["button"] = MenuApplicationLauncher( item["entry"].get_desktop_file_path(), self.iconSize, item["category"], self.showapplicationcomments, highlight=(True and menu_has_changed) )

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/easybuttons.py", line 479, in __init__
ApplicationLauncher.__init__( self, desktopFile, iconSize )

File "/usr/lib/linuxmint/mintMenu/plugins/easybuttons.py", line 254, in __init__
desktopItem = xdg.DesktopEntry.DesktopEntry( desktopFile )

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/xdg/DesktopEntry.py", line 33, in __init__
self.parse(filename)

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/xdg/DesktopEntry.py", line 42, in parse
IniFile.parse(self, file, ["Desktop Entry", "KDE Desktop Entry"])

File "/usr/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/xdg/IniFile.py", line 81, in parse
raise ParsingError("Invalid line: " + line, filename)

ParsingError: ParsingError in file '/usr/share/applications/mate-color-select.desktop', Invalid line:

It sounds like it might be a problem with your python installation, but that's just a guess.

If you can get a terminal open, here's a way to test for that: http://community.linuxmint.com/tutorial/view/1804