System starts, but no launcher and no panel

3.2.0-27, not 2.3.0-27 :)

If you log off and select the Unity2D session, is it ok there?

No, I have installed alternative driver, no joy. I have Wifi. can run any progran I can start in terminal, and all of that works OK. But nothing along left edge or top.

Currently my only choice is to create a backup and the install 12.04 LTS all over ...again

Log off and when you click your username click the little Ubuntu icon and select the Unity2D session and then log in. Is it ok.

Try experimenting a little before being so defeatist.

Again no, neither show. Actually I am experimenting like crazy:

I am also trying to get 5GHz Wifi to work, and it is after that experiment, which did not work, that the panel and launcher would the next mornig not show up.

I have tried both the 2D and the regular, no joy
I have tried an older kernel. ditto
I have tried 3.5.0- rc6 as well as rc7, no 5 GHz and no panel or launcher.

I also installed "Additional drivers" one of them, no joy again.

My apologies for being so tardy, I had to go out and just returned.

I'd say getting the actual user UI working is a little more critical than a slightly faster wifi. Wouldn't you?

Possibly true, and on top of that I have some egg on my face. After installing the aletrnative drivers I never tried 2D as I had to go away.

I just a fewminutes ago did as you suggested, tried 2D and it worked, though the launche does not hide, but that is minor.

So now I do have a working laptop, I willtry to get the 3D going and report back.

So this is the status: 2D works fine, 3D does not have either launcher or panel.

In 2D the launcher icons are large and cannot be made smaller.

Thanks actionparsnip, that solved my question.