Classic Mode – Classic Mode Missing Desktop Effects After Updates

11.04driverseffectsgnome

I formatted 10.10 and installed 11.04 today. My PC is kind of old so I'm using Ubuntu Classic. First time I booted it worked really nice, with the shortkeys, snap-function and improved workspace switcher. But after installing some software and updates and rebooting, I am being forced to 'No Effects'-mode (without any warning or notice). I have no clue why, and afaik I've installed nothing gnome/appearance-related.

I did try

rm -rf .gnome .gnome2 .gconf .gconfd .metacity

to reset all gnome-settings, but that didn't help.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

Best Answer

I fixed it :D

I did it by modifying "/usr/share/gnome-session/sessions/classic-gnome.session". So for future reference:

Before you start, check why Unity/Compiz is not working. You can do this with:

/usr/lib/nux/unity_support_test -p

And:

/usr/lib/nux/unity_support_test -p --compiz

If some tests fail there is probably a better way to fix this (like installing/updating drivers). In my case all tests were passed, but my videocard was blacklisted. When I started Compiz manually (with setsid compiz --replace) it ran fine anyway. I wanted to make it permanent, so I took the following steps:

Safety first, so make a backup of the file:

cd /usr/share/gnome-session/sessions/
sudo cp classic-gnome.session classic-gnome.session.backup

Then edit the file with:

sudo gedit classic-gnome.session

Remove the last 3 lines, being:

IsRunnableHelper=/usr/lib/nux/unity_support_test --compiz
FallbackSessionsID=GNOME2d
GNOME2d=2d-gnome

So the file now only contains:

[GNOME Session]
Name=Classic GNOME
Required=windowmanager;panel;filemanager;
Required-windowmanager=gnome-wm
Required-panel=gnome-panel
Required-filemanager=nautilus
DefaultApps=gnome-settings-daemon;

After saving the file, it boots to Ubuntu Classic, including Effects :D

Source: http://ubuntu4beginners.blogspot.com/2011/05/force-unity-compiz-to-run-natty-narwhal.html

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