I am running Kubuntu 13.10. I had installed unison and then later removed it. Now there is a desktop icon with the gear picture and a label of unison2.27.57-gtk.desktop. When I hover over it I do not get the pop-out control bar. I can't delete it. I can't move it. I can't even find the desktop icon file anywhere on my computer. I would like to get rid of it. Can anyone help me find out how to delete it?

Please provide a screenshot of it. It sounds like your widgets may be locked, and you are using the "Desktop" layout. If this is the case, then unlocking your widgets should allow you to remove it.

My widgets are not locked. Here is a screen shot of the whole desktop: http://www.twainhartetaylors.com/pictures/desktop.png

That looks like a folderview desktop.
Sure the file is not just in

Code: Select all

ls -l ~/Desktop

or wherever the folderview points?
If it's there you might lack permissions to delete it (~/Desktop is readonly or the file is immutable through "chattr +i" or something like that)

The file is not there in the Desktop directory. In fact , I have done a file search using dolphin over the whole drive and have not found it.

Well, it has to stem from somwhere

Code: Select all

kquitapp plasma-desktop # desktop gone, don't worry
strace plasma-desktop --nofork 2>&1 | grep unison # starts desktop and prints all system calls, filtered then by "unison"


Here is the output:
steve@music-server2:~$ kquitapp plasma-desktop
Object::disconnect: No such slot QObject::dataUpdated(QString,Plasma::DataEngine::Data)
Object::disconnect: (sender name: 'events:2013-11-24:2014-01-04')
steve@music-server2:~$ strace plasma-desktop --nofork 2>&1 | grep unison # starts desktop and prints all system calls, filtered then by "unison"
stat("/usr/share/applications/unison2.27.57-gtk.desktop", 0x7ffff18a35f0) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
statfs("/usr/share/applications/unison2.27.57-gtk.desktop", 0x7ffff18a33c0) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
lstat("/usr/share/applications/unison2.27.57-gtk.desktop", 0x7ffff18a35a0) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
stat("/usr/share/applications/unison2.27.57-gtk.desktop", 0x7ffff18a3600) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
access("/usr/share/applications/unison2.27.57-gtk.desktop", X_OK) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
lstat("/home/steve/unison2.27.57-gtk.desktop", 0x7ffff18a24e0) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
stat("/usr/share/applications/unison2.27.57-gtk.desktop", 0x7ffff18a3410) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)

At this point it just sit there until I type "^C"
Then I can restore the desktop by typing "plasma-desktop"

Well, for some reason tried to access /home/steve/unison2.27.57-gtk.desktop and /usr/share/applications/unison2.27.57-gtk.desktop, but neither is there.
Try running

Code: Select all

kbuildsycoca4 --noincremental

but this nevertheless sounds like a bug in the foldverview plasmoid.

steve@music-server2:~$ kbuildsycoca4 --noincremental
kbuildsycoca4 running...
kbuildsycoca4(7289) KConfigGroup::readXdgListEntry: List entry Keywords in "k3bsetup.desktop" is not compliant with XDG standard (missing trailing semicolon).
"KConfigIni: In file /usr/share/kde4/services/muon-knsplasmoids-backend.desktop, line 113: " Invalid entry (missing '=')
"KConfigIni: In file /usr/share/kde4/services/muon-knsplasmoids-backend.desktop, line 114: " Invalid entry (empty key)
"KConfigIni: In file /usr/share/kde4/services/muon-knsplasmoids-backend.desktop, line 115: " Invalid entry (missing '=')
kbuildsycoca4(7289)/kdecore (services) KServicePrivate::init: The desktop entry file "Less than 20 miles.xls.desktop" has Type= "Link" instead of "Application" or "Service"

kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "Less than 20 miles.pdf.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289)/kdecore (services) KServicePrivate::init: The desktop entry file "2013-14print-Page002.pdf.desktop" has Type= "Link" instead of "Application" or "Service"

kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "2013-14print-Page002.pdf.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289)/kdecore (services) KServicePrivate::init: The desktop entry file "SJCSAddressBook.ods.desktop" has Type= "Link" instead of "Application" or "Service"

kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "SJCSAddressBook.ods.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "SyncBack Serial.txt.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "10-abstract-database.mp4.desktop"

kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "Pre Class Email.doc.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289)/kdecore (services) KServicePrivate::init: The desktop entry file "Rush Limbaugh - Sep 04 2013 - Hour 1.mp3.desktop" has Type= "Link" instead of "Application" or "Service"
kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "Aug2013.odt.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289)/kdecore (services) KServicePrivate::init: The desktop entry file "Label instructions Simple and Mailmerge in LibreOffice.pdf.desktop" has Type= "Link" instead of "Application" or "Service"

kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "Label instructions Simple and Mailmerge in LibreOffice.pdf.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "DBACCESS_HID_DBWIZ_FINISH.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289)/kdecore (services) KServicePrivate::init: The desktop entry file "Newsletter_Sep2013.pdf.desktop" has Type= "Link" instead of "Application" or "Service"

kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "Newsletter_Sep2013.pdf.desktop"

kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "01-database-structure.mp4.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289)/kdecore (services) KServicePrivate::init: The desktop entry file "browse.desktop" has Type= "Link" instead of "Application" or "Service"

kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "browse.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "Fire and Home.doc.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289)/kdecore (services) KServicePrivate::init: The desktop entry file "8E1D-CE4F.desktop" has Type= "Link" instead of "Application" or "Service"

kbuildsycoca4(7289) KBuildServiceFactory::createEntry: Invalid Service : "8E1D-CE4F.desktop"
kbuildsycoca4(7289)/kdecore (services) KServicePrivate::init: The desktop entry file "mind.doc.desktop" has Type= "Link" instead of "Application" or "Service"

kbuildsycoca4(7289)/kdecore (services) KServicePrivate::init: The desktop entry file "2013-14print-Page001.pdf.desktop" has Type= "Link" instead of "Application" or "Service"

. . . snip, there were many more similar to the above and then it ended with the below:


kbuildsycoca4(7289) KConfigGroup::readXdgListEntry: List entry Keywords in "/usr/share/applications/firefox.desktop" is not compliant with XDG standard (missing trailing semicolon).
kbuildsycoca4(7289) KConfigGroup::readXdgListEntry: List entry Actions in "/usr/share/applications/easystroke.desktop" is not compliant with XDG standard (missing trailing semicolon).
kbuildsycoca4(7289) KConfigGroup::readXdgListEntry: List entry MimeType in "/usr/share/applications/freefilesync.desktop" is not compliant with XDG standard (missing trailing semicolon).
kbuildsycoca4(7289) KConfigGroup::readXdgListEntry: List entry Categories in "/home/steve/.local/share/applications/netbeans-7.3.desktop" is not compliant with XDG standard (missing trailing semicolon).
kbuildsycoca4(7289) parseLayoutNode: The menu spec file contains a Layout or DefaultLayout tag without the mandatory Merge tag inside. Please fix your file.

Well, there're quite some broken service files around, most look like failed "links", pot. what should have ended up as ".pif" ie. Windows "links" and firefox/muon/netbeans descriptions.

That's not good, but the interesting question is whether the icon disappeared after the database rebuild (and eventually restarting plasma-desktop)

No, the icon in question is still there. Is it advisable to try to fix all those broken links, etc.? How would I go about doing so?

I suspect we may have a applet based shortcut on top of a Folder View desktop - which is why it is trying to search for that unison desktop file in a number of places.

With your widgets unlocked, can you verify it does not respond to being hovered over or to being right clicked? If it doesn't to either, we might need to resort to a script to purge this.

could be rather under (explaining why it would not intercept the mouse at all) but the icon on the screenshot seems perfectly integrated into the general item layout.

can you post ~/.kde/share/config/plasma-desktop-appletsrc

Hovering over the unison icon has no effect. Also the same with my Firefox icon. All the rest of them respond with the control bar pop-out. Right clicking on Unison or Firefox icons brings up the "Icon-settings" and "Default Desktop Options" choices. Notably missing is the "Remove this Icon" option that does appear for all the other icons.
Here is my plasma-desktop-appletsrc file:
[ActionPlugins]
MidButton;NoModifier=paste
RightButton;NoModifier=contextmenu
wheel:Vertical;NoModifier=switchdesktop

[AppletGlobals][plasma_applet_pager]
rows=2

[AppletGlobals][plasma_applet_simplelauncher]
Arachnophilia=
SwitchTabsOnHover=
XnView=
askBeforeRemoval=
byobu=
calibre-ebook-viewer=
calibre-gui=
calibre-lrfviewer=
darktable=
debian-uxterm=
debian-xterm=
diffuse=
display.im6=
dolphin=
dosbox=
easystroke=
easytag=
ecmerge=
filezilla=
firefox=
freefilesync=
gadmin-samba=
gcolor2=
google-chrome=
im-config=
itweb-settings=
jedit=
jockey-kde=
kde4-Help=
kde4-KCharSelect=
kde4-KMail2=
kde4-Kontact=
kde4-Kppp=
kde4-amarok=
kde4-amzdownloader=
kde4-ark=
kde4-bluedevil-monolithic=
kde4-dolphin=
kde4-dragonplayer=
kde4-filelight=
kde4-gwenview=
kde4-headerthemeeditor=
kde4-importwizard=
kde4-k3b=
kde4-kaddressbook=
kde4-kamoso=
kde4-kate=
kde4-kcalc=
kde4-kexi=
kde4-kfind=
kde4-kiconedit=
kde4-kinfocenter=
kde4-klipper=
kde4-kmag=
kde4-kmix=
kde4-kmousetool=
kde4-knotes=
kde4-konsole=
kde4-kopete=
kde4-korganizer=
kde4-kpat=
kde4-krandrtray=
kde4-krdc=
kde4-krita=
kde4-ksnapshot=
kde4-ksysguard=
kde4-ksystemlog=
kde4-ktnef=
kde4-ktorrent=
kde4-ktp-contactlist=
kde4-ktp-log-viewer=
kde4-kvkbd=
kde4-kwalletmanager=
kde4-muon=
kde4-muon-discover=
kde4-muon-installer=
kde4-muon-updater=
kde4-nepomukcleaner=
kde4-okular=
kde4-partitionmanager=
kde4-quassel=
kde4-rekonq=
kde4-superkaramba=
kde4-synaptiks=
kde4-systemsettings=
libreoffice-base=
libreoffice-calc=
libreoffice-draw=
libreoffice-impress=
libreoffice-startcenter=
libreoffice-writer=
netbeans-7.3=
nxclient=
nxclient-admin=
nxclient-help=
nxclient-wizard=
openjdk-6-policytool=
openjdk-7-policytool=
opera=
opera-browser=
phatch=
phatch-inspector=
phpmyadmin=
puddletag=
realtimesync=
scribus=
system-config-samba=
truecrypt=
unetbootin=
usb-creator-kde=
vlc=
wine-Programs-Amazon-Amazon Kindle-Kindle=
wine-Programs-Amazon-Amazon Kindle-Uninstall Kindle=
wine-Programs-FastStone Image Viewer-FastStone Image Viewer=
wine-Programs-FastStone Image Viewer-Help=
wine-Programs-FastStone Image Viewer-Uninstall=
wine-Programs-IrfanView-About IrfanView=
wine-Programs-IrfanView-Available Languages=
wine-Programs-IrfanView-Available PlugIns=
wine-Programs-IrfanView-Command line Options=
wine-Programs-IrfanView-IrfanView - Thumbnails=
wine-Programs-IrfanView-IrfanView 4.30=
wine-Programs-IrfanView-IrfanView Help=
wine-Programs-IrfanView-Uninstall IrfanView=
wine-Programs-IrfanView-What's New=
wine-Programs-PhotoScape-PhotoScape=
wine-Programs-PhotoScape-Uninstall PhotoScape=
wine-browsedrive=
wine-notepad=
wine-uninstaller=
wine-winecfg=
wine-winetricks=

[Containments][4]
activity=
activityId=
desktop=-1
formfactor=2
geometry=0,-41,1920,35
immutability=1
lastDesktop=-1
lastScreen=0
location=4
plugin=panel
screen=0
zvalue=0

[Containments][4][ActionPlugins]
RightButton;NoModifier=contextmenu

[Containments][4][Applets][10]
geometry=1694,3,134,32
immutability=1
plugin=systemtray
zvalue=0

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration]
DefaultAppletsAdded=true

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][1]
geometry=0,0,24,24
immutability=1
plugin=message-indicator
zvalue=0

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][1][PopupApplet]
DialogHeight=171
DialogWidth=318

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][2]
geometry=0,0,24,24
immutability=1
plugin=
zvalue=0

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][2][PopupApplet]
DialogHeight=229
DialogWidth=668

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][3]
geometry=0,0,24,24
immutability=1
plugin=notifier
zvalue=0

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][3][PopupApplet]
DialogHeight=346
DialogWidth=306

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][61]
geometry=0,0,24,24
immutability=1
plugin=org.kde.notifications
zvalue=0

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][61][Configuration]
customPosition=-5,30
customPositionAffinityHoriz=r
customPositionAffinityVert=b

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][61][Configuration][ExtenderItems][2]
extenderIconName=dialog-information
extenderItemName=jobGroup
extenderItemPosition=0
extenderTitle=Jobs
groupCollapsed=true
isCollapsed=true
isGroup=true
sourceAppletId=61
sourceAppletPluginName=notifications

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][61][PopupApplet]
DialogHeight=102
DialogWidth=372

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][62]
geometry=0,0,24,24
immutability=1
plugin=org.kde.ktp-presence
zvalue=0

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][63]
geometry=0,0,24,24
immutability=1
plugin=printmanager
zvalue=0

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Applets][64]
geometry=0,0,24,24
immutability=1
plugin=org.kde.networkmanagement
zvalue=0

[Containments][4][Applets][10][Configuration][Shortcuts]
SystemTray-Klipper-10=Ctrl+Alt+V
Systemtray-Klipper-10=Ctrl+Alt+V

[Containments][4][Applets][10][LayoutInformation]
Order=8

[Containments][4][Applets][10][PopupApplet]
DialogHeight=156
DialogWidth=151

[Containments][4][Applets][11]
geometry=1832,3,64,32
immutability=1
plugin=digital-clock
zvalue=0

[Containments][4][Applets][11][Configuration][ExtenderItems][1]
extenderIconName=view-pim-calendar
extenderItemName=calendar
extenderItemPosition=0
extenderTitle=Calendar
isCollapsed=false
sourceAppletId=11
sourceAppletPluginName=digital-clock

[Containments][4][Applets][11][LayoutInformation]
Order=9

[Containments][4][Applets][11][PopupApplet]
DialogHeight=291
DialogWidth=438

[Containments][4][Applets][6]
geometry=108,3,32,32
immutability=2
plugin=quickaccess
zvalue=56

[Containments][4][Applets][6][LayoutInformation]
Order=3

[Containments][4][Applets][62]
geometry=0,3,32,32
immutability=2
plugin=simplelauncher
zvalue=15

[Containments][4][Applets][62][LayoutInformation]
Order=0

[Containments][4][Applets][62][Shortcuts]
global=Alt+F1

[Containments][4][Applets][63]
geometry=144,3,32,32
immutability=2
plugin=icon
zvalue=2

[Containments][4][Applets][63][Configuration]
Url=file:///home/steve/.local/share/applications/dolphin.desktop

[Containments][4][Applets][63][LayoutInformation]
Order=4

[Containments][4][Applets][64]
geometry=72,3,32,32
immutability=2
plugin=icon
zvalue=4

[Containments][4][Applets][64][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/kde4/konsole.desktop

[Containments][4][Applets][64][LayoutInformation]
Order=2

[Containments][4][Applets][65]
geometry=184,3,32,32
immutability=2
plugin=icon
zvalue=52

[Containments][4][Applets][65][Configuration]
Url=file:///home/steve/.local/share/applications/opera-browser.desktop

[Containments][4][Applets][65][LayoutInformation]
Order=6

[Containments][4][Applets][7]
geometry=180,3,0,32
immutability=1
plugin=pager
zvalue=0

[Containments][4][Applets][7][Configuration]
hideWhenSingleDesktop=true

[Containments][4][Applets][7][LayoutInformation]
Order=5

[Containments][4][Applets][8]
geometry=220,3,1470,32
immutability=1
plugin=tasks
zvalue=61

[Containments][4][Applets][8][LayoutInformation]
Order=7

[Containments][4][Applets][9]
geometry=36,3,32,32
immutability=2
plugin=showdesktop
zvalue=62

[Containments][4][Applets][9][LayoutInformation]
Order=1

[Containments][4][Configuration]
maximumSize=1920,35
minimumSize=1920,35

[Containments][76]
ActionPluginsSource=Global
activity=Desktop Icons
activityId=b2415c0b-58b4-436e-80df-9c33b8f41060
desktop=-1
formfactor=0
geometry=0,0,1920,1080
immutability=1
lastDesktop=-1
lastScreen=0
location=0
plugin=folderview
screen=-1
wallpaperplugin=image
wallpaperpluginmode=SingleImage
zvalue=0

[Containments][76][Wallpaper][image]
slideTimer=10
slidepaths=/usr/share/wallpapers/
userswallpapers=
wallpaper=/usr/share/wallpapers/Elarun
wallpapercolor=0,0,0
wallpaperposition=0

[Containments][77]
ActionPluginsSource=Global
activity=New Activity
activityId=91a44adc-865c-48b2-ae3a-23a281d35e55
desktop=-1
formfactor=0
geometry=1926,0,1280,1024
immutability=1
lastDesktop=-1
lastScreen=0
location=0
plugin=desktop
screen=-1
wallpaperplugin=image
wallpaperpluginmode=SingleImage
zvalue=0

[Containments][77][Wallpaper][image]
slideTimer=10
slidepaths=/usr/share/wallpapers/
userswallpapers=
wallpaper=/usr/share/wallpapers/Horos
wallpapercolor=0,0,0
wallpaperposition=0

[Containments][81]
ActionPluginsSource=Global
activity=unnamed
activityId=d498eae2-98bf-401f-a04e-9f258a2436ee
desktop=-1
formfactor=0
geometry=0,1236,1920,1080
immutability=1
lastDesktop=-1
lastScreen=0
location=0
plugin=desktop
screen=0
wallpaperplugin=image
wallpaperpluginmode=SingleImage
zvalue=0

[Containments][81][Applets][69]
geometry=1,555,121.5625,72
immutability=1
plugin=icon
zvalue=0

[Containments][81][Applets][69][Configuration]
Url=file:///home/steve/.local/share/applications/Arachnophilia.desktop

[Containments][81][Applets][70]
geometry=21,256,197,72
immutability=2
plugin=icon
zvalue=0

[Containments][81][Applets][70][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/unison2.27.57-gtk.desktop

[Containments][81][Applets][71]
geometry=20,328,93,86
immutability=2
plugin=icon
zvalue=6

[Containments][81][Applets][71][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/firefox.desktop

[Containments][81][Applets][72]
geometry=116,554,88.5625,72
immutability=1
plugin=icon
zvalue=0

[Containments][81][Applets][72][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/filezilla.desktop

[Containments][81][Applets][78]
geometry=15,457,99.5625,72
immutability=1
plugin=icon
zvalue=0

[Containments][81][Applets][78][Configuration]
Url=file:///home/steve/.local/share/applications/wine/Programs/IrfanView/IrfanView%204.30.desktop

[Containments][81][Applets][79]
geometry=104,343,115.5625,72
immutability=1
plugin=icon
zvalue=26

[Containments][81][Applets][79][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/freefilesync.desktop

[Containments][81][Applets][82]
geometry=119,455,80.5625,86
immutability=1
plugin=icon
zvalue=22

[Containments][81][Applets][82][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/vlc.desktop

[Containments][81][Applets][83]
geometry=25,705,91,86
immutability=1
plugin=icon
zvalue=39

[Containments][81][Applets][83][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/google-chrome.desktop

[Containments][81][Applets][85]
geometry=119,640,87,72
immutability=1
plugin=icon
zvalue=48

[Containments][81][Applets][85][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/scribus.desktop

[Containments][81][Applets][86]
geometry=32,628,72,72
immutability=1
plugin=icon
zvalue=60

[Containments][81][Applets][86][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/jedit.desktop

[Containments][81][Applets][88]
geometry=30,170,94,86
immutability=1
plugin=icon
zvalue=61

[Containments][81][Applets][88][Configuration]
Url=file:///usr/share/applications/XnView.desktop

[Containments][81][ToolBox]
corner=1
offset=0

[Containments][81][Wallpaper][image]
slideTimer=10
slidepaths=
userswallpapers=
wallpaper=/home/steve/.kde/share/wallpapers/tux.svg
wallpapercolor=0,0,0
wallpaperposition=0

[Containments][84]
ActionPluginsSource=Global
activity=copy of Desktop Icons
activityId=c6182fc0-bd2d-4eba-be38-8970c8915574
desktop=-1
formfactor=0
geometry=1926,1236,1920,1080
immutability=1
lastDesktop=-1
lastScreen=0
location=0
plugin=folderview
screen=-1
wallpaperplugin=image
wallpaperpluginmode=SingleImage
zvalue=0

[Containments][84][ToolBox]
corner=1
offset=0

[Containments][84][Wallpaper][image]
slideTimer=10
slidepaths=/usr/share/wallpapers/
userswallpapers=
wallpaper=/usr/share/wallpapers/Elarun
wallpapercolor=0,0,0
wallpaperposition=0

[Containments][87]
ActionPluginsSource=Global
activity=unnamed
activityId=d498eae2-98bf-401f-a04e-9f258a2436ee
desktop=-1
formfactor=0
geometry=0,2472,1024,768
immutability=1
lastDesktop=-1
lastScreen=1
location=0
plugin=desktop
screen=1
wallpaperplugin=image
wallpaperpluginmode=SingleImage
zvalue=0

[Containments][87][Wallpaper][image]
slideTimer=10
slidepaths=/usr/share/wallpapers/
userswallpapers=
wallpaper=/usr/share/wallpapers/Elarun
wallpapercolor=0,0,0
wallpaperposition=0

[General]
immutability=1

see [Applets][70] resp. [71]
quit plasma-desktop, reload the rc file in kwrite (or open it in vim or whatever you prefer) remove the related applet sections (2 for each) and restart plasma-desktop