gnome is a metapackage, an empty package depending on all the things the a full GNOME system requires[1]. try dpkg-reconfigure gnome* [1] http://packages.debian.org/squeeze/gnome Ryan (top posting because I don't have a real mail client, sorry.) On Mon, Aug 17, 2009 at 6:55 AM, Mark Phillips wrote: > I ran my usual apt-get update apt-get dist-upgrade last night on my Debian > squeeze system. There were no errors, and when I rebooted, I was able to > login, but gnome (1) generated an error message and (2) I only got as far as > my wallpaper and items on the Desktop. No menu bar (just white band) and no > panel at the bottom of the screen. I tried dpkg-reconfigure gnome, but gnome > had been removed! So I reinstalled it, and still the same problem. Any > suggestions where to look for the problem or how to fix it? Right now my > main machine is no more than a paperweight! > > The gnome error message: > > There was an error starting the GNOME Settings Daemon. > > Some things, such as themes, sounds, or background settings may not work > correctly. > > The last error message was: > > Did not receive a reply. Possible causes include: the remote application did > not send a reply, the message bus security policy blocked the reply, the > reply timeout expired, or the network connection was broken. > > GNOME will still try to restart the Settings Daemon next time you log in. > > Thanks! > > Mark > > P.S. Iupdated three other machines the same way. This same error message > appears sometimes on those machines, but gnome manages to get everthing > running in spite of it. This is the first failure to actually load the menu > bar and panel. > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > -- Thanks and best regards, Ryan Rix OnBoard-NG --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss