[SOLVED] changing default desktop environment in debian

Ai_Programmer · 03-12-2019, 03:51 PM

When I installed debian I installed LXDE, KDE, & Cinnamon
I'm now done trying Cinnamon & I want to try KDE now and then maybe LXDE
I would however like to continue using lightdm
what command should I use to make this change?

thanks
AP

BW-userx · 03-12-2019, 08:11 PM

install the desktops, use lightDM select box to select the desktop you want to log into, then login. if you want to dig in further into lightDM,

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LightDM

Ai_Programmer · 03-12-2019, 08:36 PM

I did install the desktops & I don't get a choice when I at the login prompt

BW-userx · 03-12-2019, 08:59 PM

what??? I don;t use lightDM, hadn't in years, but all have a list of installed desktop that have a desktop file,
check your dir.

Code:

ls /usr/share/xsessions

'
you see that little circle in the right top for user names the Ubuntututu logo , click on that.

frankbell · 03-12-2019, 09:02 PM

You may not get the dialog to select your desktop environment until you enter your user name.

Ai_Programmer · 03-13-2019, 12:44 AM

weird they're all there

Code:

$ ls /usr/share/xsessions
cinnamon2d.desktop  cinnamon.desktop  lightdm-xsession.desktop  LXDE.desktop  openbox.desktop  plasma.desktop

FYI there is nothing to choose my name, I can't click power off button (& I can see it)
only a dialogue box with a fields for username & password & cancel & login buttons
clicking cancel makes the box go away for a few milliseconds until it automatically comes back. there is nothing else that I can click on not even the little man icon that I see in the "taskbar"/panel

hydrurga · 03-13-2019, 04:57 AM

Can you please paste screenshots of your login window, both fresh and after you have entered your username.

BW-userx · 03-13-2019, 06:53 AM

the Ubuntutu Logo -- did you try clicking on that? where the arrow is pointing.

hemlocktree · 03-13-2019, 01:48 PM

Cannot helpo but interested to see what happens. i installed debian lxde on the old macbook. gnome was just turtleish.

273 · 03-13-2019, 01:56 PM

I think I'm using LightDM on my desktop at the moment (sorry, I just use DMs and don't pay attention) and there should be some kind of icon in the top-right, or wherever, where you select the DM. If it's missing then you may not have actually installed the DMs?

hydrurga · 03-13-2019, 01:58 PM

The other possibility is that you are using a LightDM theme that is masking the choice between the different desktop environments. I seem to remember that happening to me once.

sevendogsbsd · 03-13-2019, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hemlocktree

Cannot helpo but interested to see what happens. i installed debian lxde on the old macbook. gnome was just turtleish.

I had to chuckle at that - by turtleish, I know you meant "slow" and I wanted to add "it's head is stuck inside", meaning it has been neutered so badly by the devs that it is becoming more and more like an ipad (can't do jack with it).

BW-userx · 03-13-2019, 02:06 PM

well I am not installing lightdm just to find out.

hemlocktree · 03-13-2019, 02:26 PM

sevendogs....yes.

ha ha

Ai_Programmer · 03-13-2019, 05:12 PM

Here you go