desktop shortcuts (.desktop files) not working.

[mr_linux2u]

Hi there,

I've come across a problem that is very confusing and I can't find a solution to fix it.

The problem is this - after updating my Phoenix install and rebooting, all of a sudden my desktop shortcuts stop working. They suddenly become txt files and wont launch the programs. This happens on all existing shortcuts and any new one's I create.

I've also had this problem on the zenmini distro but it seemed to fix itself, but this time no joy.

any ideas why this happens and how to fix it?

cheers

paul

[Neal ManBear]

Check the permissions on each to see if they are executable.

[mr_linux2u]

ok this weird,

tried making .desktop file executable didn't make any difference

Also, logged into a new user I setup and the same problem occurs - any new program launcher fails to launch.

It seems that something has broke at the system level and I can't find a reason or a workaround.

why is this happening, or more to the point what update has caused this problem?

cheers

paul

[Neal ManBear]

Maybe we should wait for an XFCE expert.

[Joble]

I haven't had this problem.  Will update my Phoenix install when I get home from work and see what happens.

[mr_linux2u]

further update,

all the launchers seem to be linked to the mousepad program and are showing up as plain text files.

also, l've reinstalled all the mime type files in synaptic and there's still no way of launching a desktop launcher (shortcuts to folders and url's work just fine and the panel launchers are ok and just run as usual).

cheers

paul

[Neal ManBear]

Have you tried recreating your shortcuts?

[parnote]

Let's see if I can help any ...

I hadn't updated my Xfce box in a while, so I first created a desktop icon/launcher to launch Firefox. (I typically don't have any, since it reminds me so much of MS Windows, where EVERY program wants to claim a piece of your desktop real estate). I wanted to insure that the launcher worked prior to updating and rebooting, which it does.

Now, I'm applying my updates (all 417 packages). Once it finishes, I'll reboot.

On a side note, the permissions for the .desktop launcher file on the desktop for Firefox (that I just created) is NOT set up to be executable. The permissions are for me (as the user) to have read & write access, and all other groups and users to have read access.

I also did a quick look at the files being updated, and I'm not seeing any Xfce files being updated that should affect launchers on the desktop.

I'll update this after I have finished the updates and rebooted.

parnote

[parnote]

mr_linux2u,

I hate to tell you this, but my desktop shortcut survived the updates and reboot. Since the .desktop really is a txt file, I suspect that your file associations have gotten messed up, and it has somehow been instructed to treat them as a plain txt file, opening in your text editor.

I need you to post the contents of two files on your system here, so I can compare to what I have here.

The first file I need to see is in your $HOME/.local/share/applications directory. This is a hidden folder in your /home directory. The name of the file is mimeapps.list.

The second file I need to see is in your $HOME/.local/share/mime directory, and is called (simply) "types" (without the quotes).

Please reply back here, and paste the contents of those two files into your reply.

parnote

[mr_linux2u]

mimeapps.list

[Added Associations]
application/x-bittorrent=kde4-ktorrent.desktop;

[Removed Associations]
application/x-bittorrent=kde4-kget.desktop;

mime types

application/asx
application/futuresplash
application/vnd.rn-realaudio
application/x-drm-v2
application/x-google-vlc-plugin
application/x-mplayer2
application/x-ms-wmp
application/x-ms-wmv
application/x-nsv-vp3-mp3
application/x-quicktimeplayer
application/x-skype
audio/flac
audio/mp3
audio/mpeg2
audio/mpeg3
audio/wav
audio/x-basic
audio/x-mp4
audio/x-mpeg
audio/x-mpeg2
audio/x-mpeg3
audio/x-ms-wax
audio/x-ms-wmv
audio/x-ogg
audio/x-pn-realaudio
audio/x-realaudio
video/divx
video/fli
video/msvideo
video/vnd.divx
video/vnd.vivo
video/x-fli
video/x-mpeg
video/x-mpeg2
video/x-ms-asf-plugin
video/x-ms-wm
video/x-ms-wvx
video/x-quicktime

hope the above helps

[parnote]

mr_linux2u,

Those files look fine. Those are the local files, stored in your user's /home directory.

Now, we need to look at some files that have global scope on your system. I need you to post the contents of the following files:

/usr/share/applicactions/defaults.list

/usr/share/applications/mimeinfo.cache

/usr/share/applications/mimeapps.list

I hope you don't think I'm sending you on a wild goose chase, but we have to look at things one step at a time, starting with the easiest things first.

I am hopeful that we can get your issues resolved.

parnote

[mr_linux2u]

here's the contents of the files..

mimeinfo

[MIME Cache]
application/x-lzop-compressed-tar=file-roller.desktop
image/xpm=shutter.desktop
audio/ape=listen.desktop
audio/x-ogg=listen.desktop
application/x-cd-image=xfburn.desktop;file-roller.desktop;
audio/x-flac=listen.desktop
application/xml=firefox.desktop
application/x-lzip-compressed-tar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-iso=isomaster.desktop
application/x-cb7=evince.desktop
audio/mpeg=listen.desktop
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.presentation=evince.desktop
image/bmp=shutter.desktop
application/x-rar-compressed=file-roller.desktop
application/x-7z-compressed-tar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-tarz=file-roller.desktop
application/x-bzip1=file-roller.desktop
audio/mp=listen.desktop
application/x-musepack=listen.desktop
image/jpeg=shutter.desktop
application/x-compressed-tar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-lhz=file-roller.desktop
image/x-eps=evince.desktop
application/x-ms-dos-executable=file-roller.desktop
application/x-stuffit=file-roller.desktop
application/x-bzdvi=evince.desktop
application/x-gtar=file-roller.desktop
image/tiff=shutter.desktop;evince.desktop;
application/musepack=listen.desktop
application/zip=file-roller.desktop
application/x-arj=file-roller.desktop
application/rss+xml=firefox.desktop
application/x-jar=java-1.6.0-sun-java.desktop
application/x-zip=file-roller.desktop
application/x-lzma=file-roller.desktop
audio/x-m4a=listen.desktop
application/x-gzdvi=evince.desktop
image/x-pcx=shutter.desktop
image/svg+xml=shutter.desktop
application/pdf=evince.desktop
audio/x-ape=listen.desktop
audio/x-mpeg=listen.desktop
audio/mpeg3=listen.desktop
audio/x-musepack=listen.desktop
audip/mp3=listen.desktop
text/plain=mousepad.desktop
application/x-lzma-compressed-tar=file-roller.desktop
image/x-ico=shutter.desktop
application/x-java-jnlp-file=java-1.6.0-sun-webstart.desktop
application/x-lzip=file-roller.desktop
application/x-xz=file-roller.desktop
application/x-ear=file-roller.desktop
application/x-java-archive=file-roller.desktop
application/x-gzpostscript=evince.desktop;file-roller.desktop;
audio/x-mp=listen.desktop
application/x-rpm=file-roller.desktop
audio/x-mpeg-3=listen.desktop
application/x-ogg=listen.desktop
application/ogg=listen.desktop
image/gif=shutter.desktop
image/x-tga=shutter.desktop
application/x-gdesklets-display=gdesklets.desktop
application/x-cbr=evince.desktop;file-roller.desktop;
application/x-ace=file-roller.desktop
application/x-gzip=file-roller.desktop
application/x-cbt=evince.desktop
application/x-cpio=file-roller.desktop
application/postscript=evince.desktop
application/x-bzpdf=evince.desktop
image/vnd.djvu=evince.desktop
application/x-cbz=evince.desktop;file-roller.desktop;
audio/vorbis=listen.desktop
application/x-7z-compressed=file-roller.desktop
application/x-war=file-roller.desktop
application/x-bzpostscript=evince.desktop
audio/x-mp3=listen.desktop
application/xhtml+xml=firefox.desktop
message/rfc822=mozilla-thunderbird.desktop
application/x-bzip=file-roller.desktop
application/x-gzpdf=evince.desktop
x-directory/gnome-default-handler=Thunar-folder-handler.desktop
application/vnd.sun.xml.impress=evince.desktop
inode/directory=Thunar-folder-handler.desktop
application/x-deb=file-roller.desktop
application/x-cabinet=file-roller.desktop
application/x-zoo=file-roller.desktop
text/html=firefox.desktop
application/x-ape=listen.desktop
application/x-ar=file-roller.desktop
image/x-bmp=shutter.desktop
audio/ogg=listen.desktop
audio/flac=listen.desktop
text/calendar=xfcalendar.desktop
application/x-rar=file-roller.desktop
audio/mpc=listen.desktop
application/rdf+xml=firefox.desktop
image/x-bzeps=evince.desktop
image/png=shutter.desktop
audio/musepack=listen.desktop
x-directory/normal=Thunar-folder-handler.desktop
application/x-zip-compressed=file-roller.desktop
image/*=evince.desktop
application/x-rzip=file-roller.desktop
image/x-png=shutter.desktop
application/x-lzop=file-roller.desktop
application/x-xz-compressed-tar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-bittorrent=transmission.desktop
application/x-alz=file-roller.desktop
application/x-bzip-compressed-tar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-dvi=evince.desktop
application/x-tar=file-roller.desktop
image/x-gzeps=evince.desktop
audio/x-mpc=listen.desktop
application/x-compress=file-roller.desktop
application/x-bzip1-compressed-tar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-lha=file-roller.desktop
application/x-id3=listen.desktop
audio/x-vorbis=listen.desktop
text/xml=firefox.desktop
application/x-flac=listen.desktop

defaults.list

[Default Applications]
application/csv=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
application/excel=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
application/msexcel=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
application/msword=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;abiword.desktop
application/ogg=totem.desktop
application/pdf=evince.desktop;okularApplication_pdf.desktop;FoxitReader.desktop
application/postscript=evince.desktop
application/rtf=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop
application/tab-separated-values=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop
application/vnd.lotus-1-2-3=gnumeric.desktop
application/vnd.ms-excel=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
application/vnd.ms-powerpoint=openoffice.org3-impress.desktop
application/vnd.ms-word=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;abiword.desktop
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.presentation=openoffice.org3-impress.desktop
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.presentation-template=openoffice.org3-impress.desktop
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet-template=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text-master=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;abiword.desktop
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text-template=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;abiword.desktop
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text-web=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;abiword.desktop
application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;abiword.dekstop
application/vnd.stardivision.calc=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop
application/vnd.stardivision.draw=openoffice.org3-draw.desktop
application/vnd.stardivision.impress=openoffice.org3-impress.desktop
application/vnd.stardivision.writer=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;abiword.desktop
application/vnd.sun.xml.calc=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop
application/vnd.sun.xml.calc.template=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop
application/vnd.sun.xml.draw=openoffice.org3-draw.desktop
application/vnd.sun.xml.draw.template=openoffice.org3-draw.desktop
application/vnd.sun.xml.impress=openoffice.org3-impress.desktop
application/vnd.sun.xml.impress.template=openoffice.org3-impress.desktop
application/vnd.sun.xml.writer.global=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;abiword.desktop
application/vnd.sun.xml.writer=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;abiword.desktop
application/vnd.wordperfect=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;abiword.desktop
application/x-abiword=abiword.desktop
application/x-applix-spreadsheet=gnumeric.desktop
application/x-ar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-arj=file-roller.desktop
application/x-bittorrent=ktorrent.desktop;transmission.desktop;transmission-qt.desktop;deluge.desktop
application/x-bzip-compressed-tar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-bzip=file-roller.desktop
application/x-cd-image=nautilus-cd-burner-open-iso.desktop;file-roller.desktop
application/x-compressed-tar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-compress=file-roller.desktop
application/x-dia-diagram=dia.desktop
application/x-dos_ms_excel=gnumeric.desktop
application/x-dvi=evince.desktop
application/x-ear=file-roller.desktop
application/x-excel=gnumeric.desktop
application/x-extension-m4a=totem.desktop
application/x-extension-mp4=totem.desktop
application/x-flac=totem.desktop
application/x-glade=glade-2.desktop
application/x-gnucash=gnucash.desktop
application/x-gnumeric=gnumeric.desktop
application/x-gtar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-gzip=file-roller.desktop
application/x-gzpostscript=evince.desktop
application/xhtml+xml=firefox.desktop;kfmclient_html.desktop;kwrite.desktop;gedit.desktop;
application/x-jar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-java-archive=file-roller.desktop
application/x-lha=file-roller.desktop
application/x-lhz=file-roller.desktop
application/xls=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
application/x-lzma-compressed-tar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-lzma=file-roller.desktop
application/x-lzop=file-roller.desktop
application/x-matroska=totem.desktop
application/x-mps=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
application/x-ms-excel=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
application/x-msexcel=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
application/x-ogg=totem.desktop
application/x-oleo=gnumeric.desktop
application/x-perl=gedit.desktop
application/x-planperfect=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
application/x-quattropro=gnumeric.desktop
application/x-rar-compressed=file-roller.desktop
application/x-rar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-rpm=synaptic.desktop
application/x-sc=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
application/x-shockwave-flash=totem.desktop
application/x-sylk=gnumeric.desktop
application/x-tar=file-roller.desktop
application/x-tarz=file-roller.desktop
application/x-torrent=ktorrent.desktop;transmission.desktop;transmission-qt.desktop;deluge.desktop
application/x-tzo=file-roller.desktop
application/x-war=file-roller.desktop
application/x-xbase=gnumeric.desktop
application/x-xls=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
application/x-zip-compressed=file-roller.desktop
application/x-zip=file-roller.desktop
application/x-zoo=file-roller.desktop
application/zip=file-roller.desktop
audio/mpeg=totem.desktop
audio/mpegurl=totem.desktop
audio/vnd.rn-realaudio=pclos-RealPlayer.desktop;totem.desktop
audio/x-flac=totem.desktop
audio/x-m4a=totem.desktop
audio/x-mp3-playlist=totem.desktop
audio/x-mp3=totem.desktop
audio/x-mpeg=totem.desktop
audio/x-mpegurl=totem.desktop
audio/x-ms-asf=totem.desktop
audio/x-ms-asx=totem.desktop
audio/x-ms-wax=totem.desktop
audio/x-pn-aiff=totem.desktop
audio/x-pn-au=totem.desktop
audio/x-pn-realaudio=pclos-RealPlayer.desktop;totem.desktop
audio/x-pn-realaudio-plugin=pclos-RealPlayer.desktop;totem.desktop
audio/x-pn-wav=totem.desktop
audio/x-pn-windows-acm=totem.desktop
audio/x-real-audio=totem.desktop
audio/x-scpls=totem.desktop
audio/ogg=totem.desktop
audio/x-wav=totem.desktop
image/bmp=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/gif=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/jpeg=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/jpg=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/pjpeg=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/png=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/svg+xml=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/tiff=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/vnd.rn-realpix=pclos-RealPlayer.desktop;totem.desktop
image/x-bmp=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop
image/x-compressed-xcf=gimp.desktop
image/x-fits=gimp.desktop
image/x-gray=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop
image/x-icb=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/x-ico=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/x-pcx=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/x-png=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/x-portable-anymap=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/x-portable-bitmap=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/x-portable-graymap=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/x-portable-pixmap=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/x-psd=gimp.desktop
image/x-xbitmap=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/x-xcf=gimp.desktop
image/x-xpixmap=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
image/x-xwindowdump=eog.desktop;f-spot-view.desktop;gthumb.desktop
inode/directory=nautilus-folder-handler.desktop
misc/ultravox=totem.desktop
multipart/x-zip=file-roller.desktop
text/abiword=abiword.desktop
text/calendar=evolution.desktop
text/comma-separated-values=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
text/csv=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
text/html=firefox.desktop;kfmclient_html.desktop;kwrite.desktop;
text/mathml=gedit.desktop
text/plain=gedit.desktop
text/richtext=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;abiword.desktop
text/rtf=openoffice.org3-writer.desktop
text/spreadsheet=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
text/tab-separated-values=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
text/x-chdr=gedit.desktop
text/x-comma-separated-values=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
text/x-csrc=gedit.desktop
text/x-dtd=gedit.desktop
text/x-java=gedit.desktop
text/xml=mozilla-firefox.desktop
text/x-python=gedit.desktop
text/x-sql=gedit.desktop
text/x-vcalendar=evolution.desktop
text/x-vcard=evolution.desktop
video/dv=totem.desktop
video/mp4=totem.desktop
video/mpeg=totem.desktop
video/msvideo=totem.desktop
video/ogg=totem.desktop
video/quicktime=totem.desktop
video/vnd.rn-realvideo=pclos-RealPlayer.desktop;totem.desktop
video/x-anim=totem.desktop
video/x-avi=totem.desktop
video/x-flc=totem.desktop
video/x-fli=totem.desktop
video/x-mpeg=totem.desktop
video/x-ms-asf=totem.desktop
video/x-msvideo=totem.desktop
video/x-msv=totem.desktop
video/x-ms-wmv=totem.desktop
video/x-nsv=totem.desktop
x-directory/normal=nautilus-folder-handler.desktop
zz-application/zz-winassoc-xls=openoffice.org3-calc.desktop;gnumeric.desktop
x-content/blank-cd=brasero.desktop;nautilus-cd-burner.desktop
x-content/blank-dvd=brasero.desktop;nautilus-cd-burner.desktop
x-content/blank-bd=brasero.desktop;nautilus-cd-burner.desktop
x-content/blank-hddvd=brasero.desktop;nautilus-cd-burner.desktop
x-content/video-dvd=totem.desktop
x-content/video-vcd=totem.desktop
x-content/video-svcd=totem.desktop
x-content/video-blueray=totem.desktop
x-content/video-hddvd=totem.desktop
x-content/audio-cdda=sound-juicer.desktop;rhythmbox.desktop
x-content/audio-dvd=rhythmbox.desktop;totem.desktop
x-content/audio-player=rhythmbox.desktop;banshee.desktop

mimeapps.list

[Added Associations]
application/xhtml+xml=firefox.desktop;kfmclient_html.desktop;kwrite.desktop;gedit.desktop;openoffice.org3-writer.desktop;

hope these help, and thanks for all your help so far.

[parnote]

mr_linux2u,

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I'm at a loss on how to solve your problem. Somewhere along the line, your file associations got buggered up, and I'm not sure where else to look to find the problem. There IS another copy/version of mimetypes in your /etc folder. And we can keep chasing mimetype files all over your hard drive and still not find the errant entry.

TBH, it may be easier to just re-install Phoenix. If you don't reformat your /home partition, all your personal files will remain untouched. But I certainly would reformat the root directory, to insure that the errant entry is eliminated and won't follow you into your new installation.

I'm sorry we couldn't get things restored, but this may be the fastest way to fix things.

parnote

[Joble]

I'm at a loss as well.  I haven't been able to break my Phoenix like this.  Not even on purpose.

[parnote]

I'm at a loss as well.  I haven't been able to break my Phoenix like this.  Not even on purpose.

I can tell you how to, if you wanna know Joble!