Problems with GNOME starting, no window manager

Have you tried reinstalling the ubuntu-desktop metapackage?

Will that remove settings?

Most settings should be in your home directory.
And if there are some outside, better correct them if they are corrupted.

I reinstalled the ubuntu-desktop package. There is still no window manager in the default session, but the failsafe session works fine.

Were all the dependancies installed correctly?

What does that mean? I marked it for reinstallation in Synaptic. Should I completely remove it and then reinstall?

ubuntu-desktop is just a metapackage. Installing or removing it doesn't do anything on its own. But installing it should force a number of packages, which are dependancies of it, to be installed.
Most probably you need to remove it, then do a sudo apt-get autoremove and then a sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop.
The second step is to ensure that all dependancies are also removed.

Otherwise do a reinstall, but the best would be to do it package by package (thats quite a list....):

acpi
acpi-support
acpid
alacarte
anacron
apmd
avahi-autoipd
avahi-daemon
bc
cdparanoia
cupsys
cupsys-bsd
cupsys-client
cupsys-driver-gutenprint
dc
dcraw
desktop-effects
desktop-file-utils
doc-base
dvd+rw-tools
eog
esound
evince
evolution-webcal
file-roller
foo2zjs
foomatic-db
foomatic-db-engine
foomatic-db-hpijs
foomatic-filters
fortune-mod
gcalctool
gconf-editor
gdebi
gdm
gedit
genisoimage
gimp-python
gnome-about
gnome-app-install
gnome-applets
gnome-btdownload
gnome-control-center
gnome-cups-manager
gnome-icon-theme
gnome-keyring-manager
gnome-media
gnome-menus
gnome-netstatus-applet
gnome-nettool
gnome-panel
gnome-pilot-conduits
gnome-power-manager
gnome-session
gnome-spell
gnome-system-monitor
gnome-system-tools
gnome-terminal
gnome-themes
gnome-utils
gnome-volume-manager
gs-esp-x
gstreamer0.10-alsa
gstreamer0.10-esd
gstreamer0.10-plugins-base-apps
gthumb
gtk2-engines
gtk2-engines-pixbuf
gucharmap
hal
hal-device-manager
hotkey-setup [not powerpc]
hwdb-client-gnome
language-selector
lftp
libgl1-mesa-glx
libglut3
libgnome2-perl
libgnomevfs2-bin
libgnomevfs2-extra
libnss-mdns
libpam-foreground
libpt-plugins-v4l
libpt-plugins-v4l2
libsasl2-modules
libstdc++5 [i386]
libxp6
metacity
min12xxw
nautilus
nautilus-cd-burner
nautilus-sendto
notification-daemon
openprinting-ppds
pbbuttonsd [powerpc]
pnm2ppa
powermanagement-interface
readahead
rss-glx
screen
screensaver-default-images
scrollkeeper
serpentine
slocate
smbclient
sound-juicer
ssh-askpass-gnome
synaptic
tangerine-icon-theme
tango-icon-theme
tango-icon-theme-common
tsclient
ttf-bitstream-vera
ttf-dejavu
ttf-freefont
ubuntu-artwork
ubuntu-sounds
unzip
update-notifier
usplash
usplash-theme-ubuntu
vino
wodim
wvdial
x-ttcidfont-conf
xkb-data
xorg
xsane
xscreensaver-data
xscreensaver-gl
xterm
xvncviewer
yelp
zenity
zip

Otherwise just try reinstalling metacity.

Metacity works fine. There's something wrong with Gnome's session.

These commands don't do anything that reinstalling in Synaptic doesn't do:

sudo apt-get remove ubuntu-desktop
sudo apt-get autoremove
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

This is a Feisty system upgraded from Edgy, if that helps with the dependencies.

Then I did:

sudo apt-get remove metacity
sudo apt-get autoremove
sudo apt-get install metacity

it removed metacity and ubuntu-desktop, then added them back. still not working on login.

Can you paste here the content of your /var/log/syslog and ~/.xsession-errors files?

syslog:

May 14 07:38:10 Inspiron syslogd 1.4.1#20ubuntu4: restart.
May 14 07:38:10 Inspiron anacron[824]: Job `cron.daily' terminated (mailing output)
May 14 07:38:10 Inspiron anacron[824]: Can't find sendmail at /usr/sbin/sendmail, not mailing output
May 14 07:38:10 Inspiron anacron[824]: Normal exit (1 job run)
May 14 07:48:47 Inspiron -- MARK --
May 14 08:08:47 Inspiron -- MARK --
May 14 08:17:01 Inspiron /USR/SBIN/CRON[2215]: (root) CMD ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.hourly)
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): WPA: Group rekeying completed with [mac address] [GTK=CCMP]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): CTRL_IFACE monitor send - hexdump(len=40): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): State: GROUP_HANDSHAKE -> COMPLETED
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): RX EAPOL from [mac address]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): RX EAPOL - hexdump(len=131): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): IEEE 802.1X RX: version=2 type=3 length=127
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): EAPOL-Key type=2
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): key_info 0x1382 (ver=2 keyidx=0 rsvd=0 Group Ack MIC Secure Encr)
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): key_length=0 key_data_length=32
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): replay_counter - hexdump(len=8): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): key_nonce - hexdump(len=32): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): key_iv - hexdump(len=16): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): key_rsc - hexdump(len=8): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): key_id (reserved) - hexdump(len=8): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): key_mic - hexdump(len=16): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): WPA: RX EAPOL-Key - hexdump(len=131): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): WPA: decrypted EAPOL-Key key data - hexdump(len=24): [REMOVED]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): WPA: RX message 1 of Group Key or STAKey Handshake from [mac address] (ver=2)
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): RSN: msg 1/2 key data - hexdump(len=24): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): RSN: received GTK in group key handshake - hexdump(len=18): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): State: COMPLETED -> GROUP_HANDSHAKE
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): WPA: Group Key - hexdump(len=16): [REMOVED]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): WPA: Installing GTK to the driver (keyidx=2 tx=0).
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): WPA: RSC - hexdump(len=6): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): wpa_driver_wext_set_key: alg=3 key_idx=2 set_tx=0 seq_len=6 key_len=16
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): WPA: Sending EAPOL-Key 2/2
May 14 08:27:46 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^Iwpa_supplicant(6258): WPA: TX EAPOL-Key - hexdump(len=99): [hex numbers]
May 14 08:48:47 Inspiron -- MARK --
May 14 09:05:11 Inspiron gconfd (omegatron-5777): Exiting
May 14 09:06:28 Inspiron gconfd (omegatron-3489): starting (version 2.18.0.1), pid 3489 user 'omegatron'
May 14 09:06:28 Inspiron gconfd (omegatron-3489): Resolved address "xml:readonly:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.mandatory" to a read-only configuration source at position 0
May 14 09:06:28 Inspiron gconfd (omegatron-3489): Resolved address "xml:readwrite:/home/omegatron/.gconf" to a writable configuration source at position 1
May 14 09:06:28 Inspiron gconfd (omegatron-3489): Resolved address "xml:readonly:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults" to a read-only configuration source at position 2
May 14 09:06:28 Inspiron gconfd (omegatron-3489): Resolved address "xml:readonly:/var/lib/gconf/debian.defaults" to a read-only configuration source at position 3
May 14 09:06:28 Inspiron gconfd (omegatron-3489): Resolved address "xml:readonly:/var/lib/gconf/defaults" to a read-only configuration source at position 4
May 14 09:06:30 Inspiron gconfd (omegatron-3489): Resolved address "xml:readwrite:/home/omegatron/.gconf" to a writable configuration source at position 0
May 14 09:06:35 Inspiron NetworkManager: <information>^IUpdating allowed wireless network lists.

---------------------------------
xsession-errors:

/etc/gdm/PreSession/Default: Registering your session with wtmp and utmp
/etc/gdm/PreSession/Default: running: /usr/X11R6/bin/sessreg -a -w /var/log/wtmp -u /var/run/utmp -x "/var/lib/gdm/:0.Xservers" -h "" -l ":0" "omegatron"
/etc/gdm/Xsession: Beginning session setup...
SESSION_MANAGER=local/Inspiron:/tmp/.ICE-unix/3445
Initializing gnome-mount extension

** (gsynaptics-init:3553): WARNING **: Using synclient
evolution-alarm-notify-Message: Setting timeout for 53606 1179201600 1179147994
evolution-alarm-notify-Message: Tue May 15 00:00:00 2007

evolution-alarm-notify-Message: Mon May 14 09:06:34 2007

Unknown parameter CoastingSpeedThreshold
Debug: Loading Beagle.Util.Conf+IndexingConfig from indexing.xml
Debug: Loading Beagle.Util.Conf+DaemonConfig from daemon.xml
Debug: Loading Beagle.Util.Conf+SearchingConfig from searching.xml

** (nautilus:3508): WARNING **: Can not caclulate _NET_NUMBER_OF_DESKTOPS

** (nautilus:3508): WARNING **: Can not calculate _NET_NUMBER_OF_DESKTOPS

** (nautilus:3508): WARNING **: Can not get _NET_WORKAREA

** (nautilus:3508): WARNING **: Can not determine workarea, guessing at layout
alarm-notify.c:368 (alarm_notify_new) - Alarm Notify New
 alarm-notify.c:304 (alarm_channel_setup) - Channel Setup
 alarm-notify.c:243 (alarm_notify_init) - Initing Alarm Notify
alarm-queue.c:1875 (alarm_queue_init)
alarm-queue.c:218 (queue_midnight_refresh) - Refresh at Tue May 15 00:00:00 2007

alarm-notify.c:220 (load_calendars) - Loading Calendar file:///home/omegatron/.evolution/calendar/local/system
alarm-notify.c:456 (alarm_notify_add_calendar) file:///home/omegatron/.evolution/calendar/local/system - Calendar Open Async... 0x80b9200
alarm-notify.c:220 (load_calendars) - Loading Calendar contacts:///
alarm-notify.c:456 (alarm_notify_add_calendar) contacts:/// - Calendar Open Async... 0x80d4210
alarm-notify.c:220 (load_calendars) - Loading Calendar file:///home/omegatron/.evolution/tasks/local/system
alarm-notify.c:456 (alarm_notify_add_calendar) file:///home/omegatron/.evolution/tasks/local/system - Calendar Open Async... 0x80d4260
alarm-notify.c:220 (load_calendars) - Loading Calendar file:///home/omegatron/.evolution/memos/local/system
alarm-notify.c:456 (alarm_notify_add_calendar) file:///home/omegatron/.evolution/memos/local/system - Calendar Open Async... 0x80d7810
alarm-notify.c:393 (cal_opened_cb) contacts:/// - Calendar Status 0
alarm-queue.c:2057 (alarm_queue_add_client) - Posting a task
alarm-notify.c:393 (cal_opened_cb) file:///home/omegatron/.evolution/calendar/local/system - Calendar Status 0
alarm-queue.c:2057 (alarm_queue_add_client) - Posting a task
alarm-notify.c:393 (cal_opened_cb) file:///home/omegatron/.evolution/tasks/local/system - Calendar Status 0
alarm-queue.c:2057 (alarm_queue_add_client) - Posting a task
alarm-notify.c:349 (alarm_msg_received) - 0x80d65f0: Received at thread b5dcdb90
alarm-queue.c:2008 (alarm_queue_add_async) - 0x80d4210
alarm-queue.c:560 (load_alarms_for_today) - From Mon May 14 09:06:39 2007
 to Mon May 14 09:06:39 2007

alarm-queue.c:497 (load_alarms)
alarm-queue.c:526 (load_alarms) - Setting Call backs
alarm-notify.c:337 (alarm_msgport_replied) - 0x80d65f0: Replied to GUI thread
alarm-notify.c:349 (alarm_msg_received) - 0x80d6e10: Received at thread b5dcdb90
alarm-queue.c:2008 (alarm_queue_add_async) - 0x80b9200
alarm-queue.c:560 (load_alarms_for_today) - From Mon May 14 09:06:39 2007
 to Mon May 14 09:06:39 2007

alarm-queue.c:497 (load_alarms)
alarm-queue.c:526 (load_alarms) - Setting Call backs
alarm-notify.c:337 (alarm_msgport_replied) - 0x80d6e10: Replied to GUI thread
alarm-notify.c:349 (alarm_msg_received) - 0x80d17f8: Received at thread b5dcdb90
alarm-queue.c:2008 (alarm_queue_add_async) - 0x80d4260
alarm-queue.c:560 (load_alarms_for_today) - From Mon May 14 09:06:39 2007
 to Mon May 14 09:06:39 2007

alarm-queue.c:497 (load_alarms)
alarm-queue.c:526 (load_alarms) - Setting Call backs
alarm-notify.c:337 (alarm_msgport_replied) - 0x80d17f8: Replied to GUI thread
alarm-notify.c:393 (cal_opened_cb) file:///home/omegatron/.evolution/memos/local/system - Calendar Status 0
alarm-queue.c:2057 (alarm_queue_add_client) - Posting a task
alarm-notify.c:3** Message: GetValue variable 1 (1)
** Message: GetValue variable 2 (2)
** Message: GetValue variable 1 (1)
** Message: GetValue variable 2 (2)
** Message: GetValue variable 1 (1)
** Message: GetValue variable 2 (2)
** Message: GetValue variable 1 (1)
** Message: GetValue variable 2 (2)

>** (nautilus:3508): WARNING **: Can not calculate _NET_NUMBER_OF_DESKTOPS
>** (nautilus:3508): WARNING **: Can not get _NET_WORKAREA
>** (nautilus:3508): WARNING **: Can not determine workarea, guessing at layout

Looks like you have a pretty broken system. Have you tried without session manager?
From a terminal the command is : metacity --sm-disable --replace
Other than a complete reinstall I would not know what else to do.

What do you mean by "tried without session manager"?

The GNOME session manager starts a session in 5 phases: Initialization, WindowManager, Panel, Desktop, and Applications.
The session manager won't start a new phase until the current phase is finished.
I believe that since you have an initialisation problem (Initialization), metacity (WindowManager) is never started.
To check that this is the case you need to disable the sm and start metacity which is done via the command I was giving you (actually, most probably --replace is not even needed).
This is just a check to verify if this hypotesis is correct. To solve the initialisation problem the only solution I can see is to reinstall everything from scratch (unless you want to go through all configuration files and setting and try a manual recovery).

Well, as I said, Gnome failsafe works fine. I'm not sure what's in the standard session that's not in the failsafe session, but if I could somehow revert it to the default, that would be great.

I originally had a problem with the "less than 10 second session" window popping up and crashing if I clicked "Ok", and that seems to have been fixed since I deleted ~/.gnome2/session and ~/.gconfd/saved_state. But the metacity problem still isn't solved.

Starting metacity by hand works fine. I don't know what --sm-disable does, but I'll try it when I get a chance. Would that fix the session for good or just start metacity once for that session?

If you want to know about the inner workings of the gdm, I suggest you have a look at this:

http://www.gnome.org/projects/gdm/docs/2.8/gdm.html

In chapter 3 you can also find some info about gdm.conf and (re)generation of configuration files which may help you with your problem.

I tried reading through that, but it's not going anywhere. I just want to know how to reset my session.

You can try checking/editing your configuration file with sudo gdmsetup, but I doubt this will solve your problem (which I believe is in the various .desktop-style files).

At this point in time the best advise I can give you is to reinstall 7.04 from scratch.

I had the same problem. I think it started after I installed the gtk gui library.
However, renaming the ~/.gnome2/sessions file to something like ~/.gnome2/sessions-old and rebooting the xsession (ctrl+alt+delete) worked for me.

Yeah, I already tried renaming ~/.gnome2/session and restarting X, but it does not fix the problem for the normal session.

If I enable desktop effects and log out and log in, the Window manager (compiz?) starts on login. If I then disable it, it returns to normal metacity. If I log out and back in, though, metacity still doesn't load.

I think this may have been fixed by the latest update! (Bug #106350)

Hello,
I have simmilar problem, after power gone out and computer turned off while working.

amd64, ubuntu 7.10 fresh install

crash/fail to log into GNOME, but GNOME failsafe works