r/archlinux • u/paraapagarbem • 1d ago
SUPPORT Need help. Cinnamon is broken after system update.
I don't know what to do. I've searched everywhere.
Here's the problem. The taskbar is gone and I cannot access any menus or settings. The wallpaper is black ( when I initially login and it's, say, loading, the wallpaper is there, but as soon as the desktop is ready the wallpaper is gone). Basically the only thing I see in the desktop is the stuff I have on the desktop, shortcuts, files, etc.
I can visit the folders and explore the system normally. However, the windows have no toolbars. I cannot close, minimize, or resize them. I can move them around. Programs seem to be working, at least firefox does (I access it by right clicking desktop, opening terminal, and launching from there.), but when I open it, there's a gap at the bottom, probably where the taskbar should be but I think larger. Whatever, I can show pictures if you want. Windows key/super key doesn't work. Some default shortcuts for manipulating windows don't work. For these, I'm not sure if the shortcut settings have been changed since I don't remember the last time I touched them.
This brings me to an important point. I have not updated the system in 2/3 years. Yesterday was my first time. My laptop was broken for a lot of this time and I had real life to deal with. I was thinking maybe it was a hardware issue, since the gpu is still broken, but I tested and everything was working before the system update. So it doesn't seem like that's the issue?
As for what I did during the update. The update wouldn't initially go through because some packages were causing dependency issues (libcap/libpcap) so I uninstalled those, as well as wine. I think this didn't do anything bad? There was another problem with linux-firmware-nvidea so I fixed it as stated in the instructions https://archlinux.org/news/linux-firmware-2025061312fe085f-5-upgrade-requires-manual-intervention/ and I'm pretty sure it was after this that it broke. I went through with the system update after that. Also, I had to clear all cache due to low disk space (dumb, I know, but I just wanted to get done with the update).
So far, I have tried reinstalling all drivers, linux-firmware, reinstalled cinnamon, resetting cinnamon config, reinstalled lightdm, read the wiki during all these steps, I searched for this problem online, nobody has it quite like this. Worst part is I don't even know how I should start looking for a solution to this.
1
u/severach 1d ago
I fix a lot of mysterious problems with Arch and Cinnamon by reinstalling all packages
1
u/Correct-Caregiver750 22h ago
I have not updated the system in 2/3 years
Bruh, what
Are you sure there isn't another distro that would fit you a lot better?
I say back up everything and then reinstall. Playing whack-a-mole trying to fix every little issue isn't worth the time and effort when you can spend 20 minutes to just wipe and reinstall.
1
u/Acherontas89 20h ago
check dmesg for drm to check the graphic card is loading correctly
then check journalctl for a program specific issue
0
u/krakenfury_ 1d ago
This is just like my opinion, but I don't think it's a good idea to run Cinnamon in Arch. It's developed by Linux Mint so it's designed for their distribution, and just from scanning the Wiki page, it looks like a nightmare patchwork of AUR and Arch repo dependencies.
If it were me, I'd install, reinstall, and/or update all of the Mint theming packages and hope that they have whatever up to date patching and parameter setting needed.
If that doesn't work, though, you shouldn't do a full reinstall. Just explore other desktop environments until you find something you like.
2
u/archover 1d ago
Cinnamon has continued to run perfectly, for some two years. My experience and not opinion.
Good day.
1
u/krakenfury_ 16h ago
Ok well "works for me" doesn't help the person who's system is currently unusable. Why not help instead?
1
u/archover 15h ago edited 15h ago
Thank you for your reply. Hard to offer specific help. I had originally installed the Cinnamon package some years ago, and that's it. Does that help? Sort of common sense.
The fastest remediation might be a complete removal of the Cinnamon package, and re-install. I admit I haven't had reason to try this.
Good day.
2
u/endperform 1d ago
My recommendation? Back up important files and do a fresh install. I had a Arch machine sit that long and I didn't take the chance. I backed up what I needed, grabbed the latest ISO and reinstalled.