cursor, wallpaper and other functions disabled

[Colin Law]

On 25 December 2014 at 07:22, Thomas Blasejewicz <thomas at s7.dion.ne.jp> wrote:
> Good evening
> I am sorry, but I do not know, how to "name" the current problem.
>
> Although I am using in this particular case a "xubuntu" distribution, I am
> under the impression
> that this applies to "whatever-buntu".
>
> I was installing my dictionaries under Windows XP installed using VMware
> Player.
> (after years of searching, I still cannot find ANY useful native linux
> dictionary)
> The very last one - I was already happy that I finally got somewhere - ran
> amok, but I did not get any errors.
>
> After rebooting the computer:
> *    the screen (wallpaper) is black and I cannot apply any changes
> *    the cursor, when it shows up at all (very late), is an ugly cross,
> which also cannot be changed
>         during the startup progress, items in the panels can be
> "highlighted", but there is no cursor
> *    the window handles for minimizing, maximizing and closing the
> particular window are gone
> *    some applications open in some form of extremely enlarged state, so
> that the entire screen is blank
> *    when I open up the application menu, or try to shutdown the computer,
> certain items are highlighted,
>         like "shotdown", but pressing enter does not work any more. Those
> items HAVE to be clicked with that ugly cross.

If you logon as a different user (or guest) is it ok?  That will tell
you whether it this is to do with setup for the user or a fundamental
system problem.

Colin