Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Desktop icons disappearing

Hi,
There are many SLES 11 system at my work place, one strange thing happen with two of the servers the files on the desktop had disappeared only there were present in the system though, can anybody tell what was the possible cause of it
Linux expert should be able to help
Thank you!!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
It's a work place.
Jun 7, 2011 2:28AM PDT

Be sure to not become the work place guru beyond your "space." I've seen folk try to take on the IT position with a problem as you presented and get burned.
Bob

- Collapse -
hi

I work in the I.T. dept only

- Collapse -
"servers"
Jun 8, 2011 5:12AM PDT
"servers" explains this very well. Now that we know you're in IT, please use the command line tools to admin, edit and more.

Why run a GUI on a server?
Bob
- Collapse -
Re::
<<"servers" explains this very well >> ?? what you mean by that ??
- Collapse -
Re

we normally use ssh u r correct but
because this SLES is in the branch were people with no computer knowledge use it for running the backup programs so the desktop icons are necessary

- Collapse -
Sorry but I must disagree.
Jun 9, 2011 4:08AM PDT

For years we had folks with some computer knowledge use a menu system like.

1. Backup.
2. Exit

No full screen gui. This may be too tough for no computer knowledge users but those with no knowledge would never be allowed to go near a company server.
Bob

- Collapse -
Answer
My take is...
Jun 7, 2011 10:02AM PDT

the X Server is turned off to save resource.

Why use the GUI when the system sits idle? You can manage the system remotely. If you use Webmin there is no need for VLC or any like that.

All you need to do...

Login and type startx + Enter and the GUI should come up.

As stated before, do not mess with it if you are not allowed to be there.

- Collapse -
hello

it is the GUI interface and in that the above thing happen,
we connected to this server remotely using ssh but on the desktop it was just blank and i can mess with it dont worry its my space

- Collapse -
hmm looks like mess in desktop configuration
Jun 7, 2011 7:10PM PDT

hmm looks like mess in desktop configuration.
You may want to try:
rm ~/.kde
rm ~/.gnome2
Commands, they will set your desktop configuration to default (first one KDE 3/4 config second one Gnome).
You will lose all your settings you made on purpose or not!

- Collapse -
oj...
Jun 7, 2011 7:12PM PDT

rm -r ~/.kde
...
(rm -r means remove entire folder).