Nowadays, the best method for choosing a desktop environment for Ubuntu Studio is the following:
- Install the Ubuntu (for GNOME) or official Ubuntu flavor (Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Kylin, Ubuntu MATE, Xubuntu) of your choice.
- Install the Ubuntu Studio Installer
- Run Ubuntu Studio Installer, and choose from the options presented. Follow the instructions.
This method automatically prepares your audio configuration for lowlatency audio work, even if you choose not to use it.
What seems to have happened is that XFCE have changed some settings on your system, as such, your Ubuntu looks the way it does. You're going to have to reset some of these settings back to their defaults by running a few commands.
Reset Icons
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface icon-theme 'ubuntu-mono-dark'
Reset Theme
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme 'Ambiance'
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.preferences theme 'Ambiance'
Reset Login Screen
sudo dpkg-reconfigure lightdm
The above will fix the looks of the unity. Next is the login screen.
Reset Login Screen
There are two options for this:
First:
Run these commands:
sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth
Then choose your ubuntu option: /lib/plymouth/themes/ubuntu-logo/ubuntu-logo.plymouth
And then run: sudo update-initramfs -u
Second:
Run in terminal:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure lightdm
After running the second (or even the first option) you will probably NOT see the results just yet. As those scripts are not updating all necessary files, edit the lightdm.config file (thanks to help of this post https://askubuntu.com/a/421322/223469):
sudo gedit /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf
And change values to (previous value was probably xubuntu):
user-session=ubuntu
greeter-session=unity-greeter
Save and reset.
After those changes the login screen should appear.
All what is left to do is to return loading screen, but so far I haven't managed to do that, but will update once I find the solution
Best Answer
The prompt was there the whole time!
The problem was a color setting found in Edit->Profile Preferences where it said "Colors" and defaulted to "Use colors from system theme". This was making it Black on Black!
I changed it to White on Black because that's what I'm used to, but there are many options in there, and you can select from various pallets.
This came after checking to see that /etc/shells had the correct/bin/bash in it and making sure my /etc/passwd file had /bin/bash at the end of the listing for my user. Those were given as possible solutions in other threads in other forums.