[xubuntu-users] Suddenly my desktop is blank

[Mark Trickett]

Good day to all. Xubuntu 12.10 x64 – pretty much standard issue.

By 'my desktop', I mean the opening screen that comes up after yu login 
which usually has a background and a few icons. Right Click inside 
desktop screen also does not work anymore. However, the panels function 
as normal - as do the menus, workspaces and a Conky that I have running, 
so the system is completely useable. I use Variety to sequence a desktop 
background every 5 mins and that is running fine as normal but nothing 
is displayed. My desktop is now just plain grey.

I updated libmtp recently from a PPA and also did a bunch of other 
updates (I don't update too often) so I assume something got messed up. 
Does anyone have any idea how to get my desktop screen back?

xfwm4 –replace does not bring it back. Settings Manager/Desktop seems 
perfectly happy. Result is the same if I login with XFCE or Xubuntu 
Session. Also same if I disable all startups 
(Variety/Conky/Devilspie/Radio Tray).


TIA

Mark