Score:2

weird gui and blue desktop background

us flag

I have searched all over the internet for a solution to this problem, but all the solutions I've found have not worked.

I installed ubuntu onto my laptop. Once it installed everything was working fine, I installed plex media server from the application downloader, and went to download something it else, and it said I didn't have permissions. Weird, but I figured it was something I had done wrong. So I figured I would mess with that later. I then noticed I could not open up anything at all. So I did the logical thing, I restarted my laptop.

This is when my problem started. My laptop now boots into a desktop with blue wallpaper, no icons and nothing on my favorites bar, and nothing I do working. I can still see text and stuff on the screen but nothing is actually working.

I would include what I have tried, but I am completely new to ubuntu and i have just been trying whatever I can find to get it working, and haven't really kept note.

computer specs are 4gb ram pretty sure ddr3, intel pentium processor, its a laptop I have had laying around for a bit. Hp notebook 15 to be exact.

and ubuntu version Ubuntu 20.04.2.0 LTSenter image description here

ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
Let's starts with the basics. Please EDIT your question and post hardware specifications and Ubuntu release/version.
in flag
A screenshot or picture might help as well
mchid avatar
bo flag
Before you sign in, select the gear icon and then select the Gnome desktop or Ubuntu desktop. Have you tried this?
Casey Jones avatar
us flag
I am not able to add a picture to the post, due to needing reputation, and I have added the specs to the post.
Casey Jones avatar
us flag
@mchid I am not given the option to log in, as it goes straight to the desktop when booting. if I force the log in screen to appear it also has a messed up gui and there is no gear icon, just the name and password areas.
Casey Jones avatar
us flag
Now I am able to add photos, accidentally added the same photo twice.
mchid avatar
bo flag
Try logging out (not shutting down but logging out) of that desktop and then see if you can get options from that sign in screen. It might not be a gear icon, idk because I use lightdm. Sometimes the option is in a dropdown menu that is accessible from the top panel.
Casey Jones avatar
us flag
@mchid i clicked around the log in screen and found some drop downs, but nothing to do with selecting a desktop
Score:1
bo flag

It looks like you're missing your icons and maybe you switched themes after installing the plex server.

First, install gnome-tweaks by running the following commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install gnome-tweaks

Next, open the Gnome Tweaks application or run the command: gnome-tweaks

Then, under "appearance" try selecting some of the different themes for icons and others. I believe the default theme for Gnome Shell is Adwaita.

Also, it might be a good idea to make sure that the default Ubuntu desktop is still installed:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install --reinstall ubuntu-desktop^
Casey Jones avatar
us flag
when i type sudo apt gnome-tweaks it says invalid operation gnome-tweaks. also I believe reinstalling ubuntu desktops was one of the first things I tried.
Casey Jones avatar
us flag
i would also like to add, that nothing opens up if I try to load it. Not even settings. the only thing i can get to open is terminal.
mchid avatar
bo flag
@CaseyJones There was a typo which has been fixed.
mchid avatar
bo flag
@CaseyJones Also, if you need to open Gnome Tweaks from the command line, you can use the command: `gnome-tweaks`
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