KDE 4.1.1 Upadate Checkerboard Problem

[jonrwads]

After updating to the newest version of KDE 4.1.1, when I try to log into KDE 4.1.1 the computer goes through the splash screen but rather than bringing up the desktop it just brings up a light gray and white checkerboard background, no panels or plasmoids, nothing.

I had this problem on a computer with a NVidia card after reinstalling the driver everything seemed to work. No such luck on my ATI laptop. After the install I deleted the .kde4 folder from my home directory to see if that helped the problem. X loads fine and does not freeze the desktop is responsive but there is nothing there. I would like to include a screenshot but it won't let me do that. If I hit alt+f2 it brings up the desktop search but it does not do anything, no results are displayed.

I don't really even know where to begin or what information to give to help diagnose the issue. Any help is appreciated

[cookdav]

That checkerboard is their default plasma 'zoom-out' pattern, etc.

But, just deleting your .kde4 sub-tree SHOULD put you back to the
initial first-time user (default) layout, so I'm totally mystified why that
didn't work. I'd try it again, tho.

That said, I think I figured out that they may be keeping some piece of initial-context
over under .kde3 subtree (if you have KDE-3 installed, which of course I do).
So, for a test, you could try renaming .kde3 to .kde3-save, delete the .kde4,
and see if that fixes it. Of course, the usual caveat applies...you have to
re-tailor the desktop(s) back to your normal preferences.

Keep us informed how it goes...you got me curious about what's going on
on your machine.

EDIT: One last thought: They probably also keep a 'template' somewhere of
what the inital-setup for a new-user is supposed to look like, so if THAT got
modified, it would explain what's going on. (Don't know where that is off
the top of my head.)

[jonrwads]

Thanks for your quick respone. I have downloaded the one click installer and started from scratch on that. Deleted the .kde4 and renamed the default .kde folder. After all that, no luck. The thing is I like KDE 4 a lot and now not even the default install from the one click packages is working.

[cookdav]

Originally Posted by jonrwads

Thanks for your quick respone. I have downloaded the one click installer and started from scratch on that. Deleted the .kde4 and renamed the default .kde folder. After all that, no luck. The thing is I like KDE 4 a lot and now not even the default install from the one click packages is working.

My gut says that it's not the one-click installer that's causing it. More
important is how you REMOVED the previous KDE4 installed software.
[I'm not an expert yet on zypper, but if it's got all the functionality that
Debian-based installers do, you need to conceptually do:
"Remove entirely, including config files" option for KDE4 and then
do the installation.

[Doing a complete OS-reinstallation should definitely fix it, so if it's important, do
that as a last resort. I gotta leave for a few hours, or I'd look up the REMOVE
syntax in zypper for you for the KDE4 subsystem.]

[swamp_yankee]

I had a similar problem with Plasma failing after a 1-click installed update from KDE 4.04 to 4.1. PLasma would not load a desktop following the initial reboot after the update. What solved it for me was:
1) rename the .kde AND .kde4 folders in the /Home
2) Forced update of ALL KDE4 packages to Factory current versions.

Several packages were running incompatible versions after the automated update. You might try the forced update steps first, to see if you can save yourself the hassle of re-configuring your desktop, email, etc.

On a side note: when plasma failed on my install ALT+F2 would pull up the "command line" to launch applications, but nothing would render on-screen. By checking the running processes, I could confirm that the applications were running, but no GUI was available with which to interact. I had to login to an XFCE session as root to solce the problem.

[Benjamin_Xiao]

I had this problem as well after I updated when the package maintainers hadn't completely updated all the packages in the repo.

I hit Alt-F2 and was able to get into Yast and upgrade the other packages the next day.

Check the versions on the plasma packages and see if they match up with the other kde factory packages.

[albalb1234567890]

Originally Posted by swamp_yankee

I had a similar problem with Plasma failing after a 1-click installed update from KDE 4.04 to 4.1. PLasma would not load a desktop following the initial reboot after the update. What solved it for me was:
1) rename the .kde AND .kde4 folders in the /Home
2) Forced update of ALL KDE4 packages to Factory current versions.

Several packages were running incompatible versions after the automated update. You might try the forced update steps first, to see if you can save yourself the hassle of re-configuring your desktop, email, etc.

On a side note: when plasma failed on my install ALT+F2 would pull up the "command line" to launch applications, but nothing would render on-screen. By checking the running processes, I could confirm that the applications were running, but no GUI was available with which to interact. I had to login to an XFCE session as root to solce the problem.

i've an identical problem updating to 4.1.1... how can i force update of all kde4 to factory version? can you be more precise? thx a lot

[swamp_yankee]

I'm betting that there is an easier method, but worked for me:

1. Login as ROOT to a session using an alternative WM or DE, such as xfce. Use the "session" menu at login.

2. rename the .kde and .kde4 folders in your user /home folder.

3. launch YAST and search (filter) for kde4 packages. (I THINK I did this from XFCE).

4. Search (filter) for kde4 packages.

5. click the icon next to each kde4 package already installed on your system until you see the update icon (a green arrow pointing up).

6. update - accept changes

7. logout

8. login to kde4

9. you may be able to salvage some of the settings from your old kde4 profile by copying some of the folders/files from the renamed .kde4 folder to the current .kde4

As I mentioned before, I suspect I could have saved everything by forcing the update of all kde4 packages WITHOUT renaming the .kde4 and .kde folders. I had already been fussing around with repair attempts for an hour or so before I took the steps listed above, and decided to be safe.

More experienced users may be able to offer simplified or more direct solutions, but this is what worked for me.


Good luck!

[Benjamin_Xiao]

When you filter for kde 4 packages, you can go to packages->all packages in this list->upgrade if newer version available. You don't need to manually check each icon.

[Goemon]

I have the same issues;

I've tried the rename/refresh thing with no success.

Any other suggestions (beyond a reinstall - the thing is, the system IS pretty much a clean install)