Desktop lost its function in Xubuntu

kitand · 02-22-2020, 09:58 PM

I've been using xubuntu (xfce) 18.04 LTS (just updated) on an old Dell Optiplex 755 for more than a year. It's been working really well for me, actually.

A couple months ago, just after loading some updates, all the items on my desktop disappeared. I can still access all the items via the Desktop folder in File Manager, and I still see the background image, but I can't see any files on the actual desktop image, nor move any files or folders onto it. The desktop is just a pretty picture!

Any ideas to fix this?

vtel57 · 02-22-2020, 10:34 PM

Check Xfce Settings --> Desktop --> Icons

kitand · 02-23-2020, 01:39 AM

Hi vtel57. In "Settings Editor" there is "xfce4-desktop" there, then a line "desktop icons" with a drop-down arrow. I can edit the properties of "desktop icons". The current is "emply" but there are other properties like "boolean", "string", etc. Is this what you mean?

vtel57 · 02-23-2020, 11:51 AM

You're in the wrong place, kitand. You don't want "Settings Editor". You want "Settings Manager". Sorry I wasn't more clear about this in the first post to you. When you click and open your Xfce menu button on your panel go to: "Settings" --> "Settings Manager" (very 1st item at the top of the Settings sub-menu) --> "Desktop" --> "Icons" tab. You can then manipulate your desktop icons with these settings. See THIS image that I made for you to help you see what I'm talking about here.

Hope this helps you.

Regards,

~Eric

kitand · 02-23-2020, 11:38 PM

Hi vtel57. Thanks for reply. In my Xubuntu, there is no icon for any "Settings Manager", but searching that term in the menu searchbar does yield "Settings"(the icon of which always appears at the bottom right of the mouse menu). Inside "Settings" there is no icon for "Desktop", but there are many other icons like "Display", "Workspaces", "Appearance", "Panel" and many others. I haven't found any of these to include settings for the desktop icons, but I have only searched the more likely ones.

vtel57 · 02-24-2020, 10:57 AM

Ah... THIS may be the reason why. Xubuntu modified the stock Xfce4.12 with some added features from Mate and Gnome. This would explain why your 4.12 is so different from mine.

I could not find anything in a quick search that shows how to manipulate desktop icons in your version of Xubuntu. We'll have to wait for and experienced Xubuntu user to see this and offer assistance... or you could try searching the Ubuntu Support Forums/Desktop Environments for and answer.

Hope you get it working. Luck with it!

~Eric

kitand · 02-24-2020, 01:00 PM

Thanks much. I've just posted on the ubuntu support forum you linked.

vtel57 · 02-24-2020, 04:52 PM

If you get this resolved, please post what you did here in this thread. It might be helpful to someone who comes after you with the same/similar issue.

colorpurple21859 · 02-24-2020, 07:03 PM

settings>Desktop>icons>icon type>file/launcher icons

kitand · 02-26-2020, 01:27 PM

Hi colorpurple--there is no "Desktop" inside Settings in this Xubuntu I'm using. That's the main obstacle, apparently. Could be that desktop tweaks are hidden in one of the many other types of settings, but I've checked all the more obvious ones already. Anyone know of any command that might help?

BTW, vtel--I have posted on Ubuntu forums, but so far haven't solved it there either.

vtel57 · 02-26-2020, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitand

BTW, vtel--I have posted on Ubuntu forums, but so far haven't solved it there either.

Hmm... if all else fails, there are two or three Debian/'buntu semi-gurus over at the board that I Admin at...

Scot's Newsletter Forums

Pop in there, if you'd like, and post your query there, also. Every little bit helps.