LXDE Close, minimise, maximise plus timer

[veronicathecow]

Strange things are afoot. I have no Minimize, mazimize or close on any window.

I cannot "Alt Tab" or move windows

If I move the cursor to the desktop I get the timer.

I have tried

re-installing openbox and lxde via package manager

Deleting openbox configure files

Copying open box configure files from another user( other user works fine)

Any ideas appreciated
Thanks

[Neal ManBear]

Did you change themes recently? Some themes will not have the buttons.

Did you try the LXDE config files? Openbox is used as the DM only. LXDE is the DE.

[veronicathecow]

Hi Neal, thanks for reply.
I think there is more to it than just a setting as I get the timer coming up on the desktop. Also the mouse setting (acceleration set to 10) has never stuck between boots.

I have tried several themes. Just logged back on and no keyboard!

Logged back in to a openbox session and keyboard has worked.

Have tried changing all settings I can find but no luck.

Perhaps I should do a complete uninstall/reinstall openbox and lxde?

Additional
Just tried completely uninstall of LXDE components and a re-install and still the same so must be some config files?

cheers

[Neal ManBear]

By timer, do you mean the busy cursor? Set mouse acceleration to 20.

Have you rebooted since the reinstall you did?

[veronicathecow]

Hi Neal, yes I have done many re-boots.

I just tracked down the config files
/root/.config/lxsession/LXDE and
/root/.config/openbox
and deleted all files in these directories.
Did a reboot and yippee, busy cursor gone and Min, Max and Close back. In fact it all seems happy again!
Phew, many thanks for taking the time to help Neal. Now all I need to do is try and make the mouse acceleration sticky (I like 10 not 20). (Any thoughts appreciated)
All the best
Tony

 

[Neal ManBear]

You are running as root? That is a very big security risk!!!!! You should use your user account. Using root, especially in connecting to the net, opens your system to being hacked. Linux is secure, but you must follow secure practices to keep it secure.
Also, any mistake you make can screw up your system. Root has access to all system files.

Menu > More Applications > Configuration > Configure Your LXDesktop > System tab > Mouse and Keyboard. Change mouse or keyboard settings there.

[veronicathecow]

Hi Neal, thanks I have tried the config method numerous times but it never sticks. Managed to find the actual config files (but now cannot find them again! bother) and it has stuck across a reboot so it sounds as though there is some problem with the script to write the config file?

Re root, I always run as root, PC technician for about 20 years running across multiple os's, hard drives, systems and plugged in external drives.

If an OS stays on my machine for more than 6 months it's doing very well.  , otherwise it all gets to complicated with permissions etc

Love LXDE, so fast and does so much!

PClinuxos people are also so very helpful!
Cheers 

[Rudge]

Menu > More Applications > Configuration > Configure Your LXDesktop > System tab > Mouse and Keyboard. Change mouse or keyboard settings there.

FWIW Neal, I can't save my mouse speed changes either. It lets me change the speed but as soon as I close the configuration window, it's back to 20.

[veronicathecow]

Hi Rudge, I have spent the last 10 minutes looking for what file I changed and it has vanished! (or I am getting tired) sorry.
If I come come across it again I will let you know

[Neal ManBear]

Re: mouse settings --
Try in PCC > Hardware.

Re: Running as root --
20 years of running as root? You are very, very lucky. But just because you have never had a problem, you should not come to believe that you can not have a problem. I do recommend that you start using your user account. There are plenty of apps to use to perform root tasks from your user account when you need them, starting with the command su in the terminal.

[veronicathecow]

Hi Neal, running as user may be fine for a single machine which is not used as a test bed etc for other systems and files etc but I have tried so many times and in the end I come back to root. (Only last 7 years with linux).
Anyway, still cannot find that flipping config file!!!
Cheers

[Rudge]

Hi Neal, running as user may be fine for a single machine which is not used as a test bed etc for other systems and files etc but I have tried so many times and in the end I come back to root. (Only last 7 years with linux).
Anyway, still cannot find that flipping config file!!!
Cheers

EDIT:  I said something dumb here. So I edited it out and left this explanation instead.   

[Neal ManBear]

Hi Neal, running as user may be fine for a single machine which is not used as a test bed etc for other systems and files etc but I have tried so many times and in the end I come back to root. (Only last 7 years with linux).
Anyway, still cannot find that flipping config file!!!
Cheers

I have more than one machine, too. I use the user account on all just fine. It is dead easy and not insecure. As I said previously, every tool that is needed to perform root tasks can be used from the user account, and your system is not open to the net and thus open to crackers. 7 years with Linux is long enough to learn a lot. Even how to secure your system.

Mouse --
Did you try in PCC > Hardware? Do you remember the name of the file you edited? If so, in a terminal, use locate name-of-file where name-of-file is the actual name.

[BJF]

This topic sounds very, very much like my encounter with the manic cursor. Soo... Delete all the config files and it stops? I have a spare dead install. Pardon me while I try it....

[rogan]

It certainly sounds like the problem described here http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,83836.0.html. Just wondering how many users had a similar problem and no dots have been joined yet.