Ubuntu

Desktop folder continually gets deleted 12.10 64 bit

Asked by Stretch

I keep on having to create a new folder called "Desktop" in my home directory and then I keep on having to edit the file /home/<my user>/.config/user-dirs.dirs to redirect whatever program is using this file so that my home folder contents aren't displayed on the desktop.

I do not want to see my home folder contents on the desktop ever again, so I have done the following:

   1) I have created a folder called "Desktop" and given it read only access permissions

   2) I have created a folder called "Desktop" and given it read only access permissions and changed the owner to root

   3) I have created a folder "Desktop" with a very rude name that reflects my frustration with this very simple problem and given it read only access permissions

And still after about 2 reboots the folder is deleted and the file is re-edited.

Can some one tell me how to kill the program that must be the spawn of Satan that keeps on deleting my Desktop folder? I suspect that not only is it in league with Satan but that it is also in league with root because no other user can do this.

I've asked the same question here

http://askubuntu.com/questions/247771/destop-folder-continually-deleted-12-10-64-bit

but I haven't had an answer yet...

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N1ck 7h0m4d4k15 (nicktux) said : 		#1

Read this and use the command AFTER you create the Folder..
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xdg_user_directories#xdg-user-dirs-update

That might be a spell to cast out bad spirits :-)

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Stretch (dr-t-armstrong) said : 		#2

Thanks for your reply NikTh

I think I've understood the instructions in the link.

Here's the output of my /etc/xdg/user-dirs.default

# Default settings for user directories
#
# The values are relative pathnames from the home directory and
# will be translated on a per-path-element basis into the users locale
DESKTOP=Desktop
DOWNLOAD=Downloads
TEMPLATES=Templates
PUBLICSHARE=Public
DOCUMENTS=Documents
MUSIC=Music
PICTURES=Pictures
VIDEOS=Videos
# Another alternative is:
#MUSIC=Documents/Music
#PICTURES=Documents/Pictures
#VIDEOS=Documents/Videos
user-dirs.defaults (END)

This is all fine - this file hasn't changed.

The user specific user-dirs.dirs file is the one that gets re-written but this only seems to happen when the folder gets deleted.

I'm sure that something else is deleting the folder "Desktop" <= The evil spirits are deleting folders in my home!

The XDG functionality then corrects itself because "Desktop" does not exist...

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Stretch (dr-t-armstrong) said : 		#3

A slightly different (but related to the problem) question =>

Is there any way in which I can track who / what deletes files in my home folder?

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#4

I recommend you boot to liveCD and fsck the partition, make sure it is healthy

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Stretch (dr-t-armstrong) said : 		#5

fsck did not find any errors - does anyone know how to track changes in a directory / folder?

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#6

Could use tripwire maybe. I only know of ir but have never used it

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Stretch (dr-t-armstrong) said : 		#7

Oh man I've been trying to get tripwire to work - what a total pain in the backside. I've given up - I got nowhere. I couldn't get it configured...

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Stretch (dr-t-armstrong) said : 		#8

Update - I got nowhere.

In the end the 64 bit Ubuntu installation refused to boot.

I reformatted the linux area on the HDD and installed opensuse. I've had no problems with disappearing directories / folders since. I am, however, now having trouble with the wireless...

...I get the feeling that the linux 64 bit releases are pretty substandard. If it isn't one thing it is another. I can't get an operating system that just works anymore. I'm now stuck using Windows bloody 7.

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N1ck 7h0m4d4k15 (nicktux) said : 		#9

Please do not be frustrated.
Try to install Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS (IMO the most stable version of Ubuntu)

Can be found here:
http://releases.ubuntu.com/precise/

Thanks

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Stretch (dr-t-armstrong) said : 		#10

OK I've just installed 12.04.1 LTS

I'll see how it goes and report back.

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Stretch (dr-t-armstrong) said : 		#12

Now I've got wireless trouble on 12.04

https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/wpasupplicant/+question/220685

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Stretch (dr-t-armstrong) said : 		#13

Even though I've now moved "down" to 12.04 I still get a similar problem. "Desktop" hasn't disappeared yet but "Pictures" just has!

This was an empty folder - now it has gone.

What on earth is deleting these folders?

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Launchpad Janitor (janitor) said : 		#14

This question was expired because it remained in the 'Open' state without activity for the last 15 days.