Help diagnosing Plasma startup issue

[ITA84]

I think it's been since the Plasma 5.8 beta release (or maybe even since 5.7, not sure) that at times, when I boot my PC with autologin to Plasma, instead of having my regular desktop configuration I only get a desktop view with the default background, without the panel. Exiting the session and logging in again makes my usual desktop appear, so at least it's not the Plasma configuration being wiped out, but I have no idea where to look to debug the issue.
I've checked the xorg-errors.log file and compared it with one from a regular session, but nothing really stands out. I've also made sure I set to start with an empty session, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.
Thanks in advance

[doktor5000]

Does that also happen with a freshly created user?

[ITA84]

Haven't tested that yet since it doesn't always happen. I'll try it when I can, but it's likely something with my user, I've been using it for a few years; if I can't reproduce the bug with a new user I'll just wipe my Plasma config, but if in the meantime you know of any other logs to search for clues please let me know

[gohlip]

Not helping much here, but I always autologin all the time and do not find any problem including 5.8.
Try renaming ~/.kde4, logoff and login to new kde config and see if that helps.
If okay, copy over from old .kde4 whichever configs you need.

And that is after doing a new user (doktor5000 suggestion) if that new user config doesn't work out.

[ITA84]

Here's what I've done: I've created a new user with the MCC and set the autologin for it, then rebooted. After the reboot was presented with a desktop with the Mageia wallpaper, Home and Trash icons, no panel, and probably some weird Plasma theme since the corner Plasma icon wasn't the usual Breeze, but a blue or transparent round corner. Logged out and back in with the same new user and got what I assume is the default desktop: Plasma wallpaper, panel with Firefox, menu, tray and all the other stuff. Logged out and then in with my normal user and got the Plasma wallpaper desktop without the panel; as usual a relogin gave me back my old desktop.

If it matters any, I've been keeping my notebook hooked to an external monitor, with the notebook closed. I'll do more tests with the primary monitor only.

@gohlip: there's no .kde4 folder for the new user, so I guess that's not the issue

[gohlip]

There should be a .kde4 directory, and it is hidden.
But looking at your report on creating new user, I now think that will not help either.

Is your system a labtop?
I've heard of some cases where this happened (to labtops),
If I remember some details (not sure, as it doesn't apply to me ), some added parameters to the boot parameters, (like acpi) or use tlp ...etc..
But I stress I do not know how to fix this and google more or hope others can help you with this (letting people know what labtop may help).
And..... good luck. Take care, cheers.

[ITA84]

Is your system a labtop?
I've heard of some cases where this happened (to labtops),
If I remember some details (not sure, as it doesn't apply to me ), some added parameters to the boot parameters, (like acpi) or use tlp ...etc..

Yes. I used to have some ACPI boot parameters set in my GRUB configuration, but they got wiped some time ago and I don't have them noted anywhere else. I'll see if I can find them around and if they fix the issue. Thanks.

I've rebooted 4-5 times with the external monitor unplugged (still with the new user) and could not reproduce the bug, so it may be related to the external monitor. I've seen somewhat similar Plasma bugs around (multi-monitor issues are still around), but none exactly like mine. I'll search a bit more and try a few more things before filing a bug (should I file it directly upstream?).

My setup is: HP Pavilion dv6-6020el, connected to an ASUS VE248 monitor via HDMI

[gohlip]

I used to have some ACPI boot parameters set in my GRUB configuration,....................I'll see if I can find them around and if they fix the issue.

I'm (again) not sure, besides kernel parameters, some have used "tlp" (some power settings package), or a newer (older?) kernel to help with this issue.
But if someone here can help the OP with this, it will be good. As I said, I am unable to help further.

Good luck (again).

[doktor5000]

some have used "tlp" (some power settings package)

FWIW, tlp is not a kernel boot option, it's a collection of scripts related to power management, cf. https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/TLP and it would only be effective after booting, so say if anything blocks the boot this by itself would not help.

[gohlip]

some have used "tlp" (some power settings package)

tlp is not a kernel boot option,....... and it would only be effective after booting, so say if anything blocks the boot this by itself would not help.

Correct. I'm not saying it will work for OP (I'm not sure), but OP's OS did boot up, but without the panel thingy.

Hmmm.....But since it works fine when he don't use autologin and the 'create new user' doesn't help, maybe it's the sddm thingy, not the .kde4 thingy (on first glance, it does seem to be a .kde thingy)
@ITA84, can you try looking at your /etc/sddm.conf and see this section, try to change to this and see if this works.

Code: Select all

[Autologin]
Relogin=false
Session=01plasma.desktop
User=<put your username here>



[ITA84]

^ My sddm.conf Autologin is already like that.
Meanwhile I've found a couple ACPI parameters that I probably used (acpi_osi=Linux and acpi_backlight=vendor), but neither seem to help. I think I'll file a bug upstream.
Thanks for the help

[doktor5000]

I think I'll file a bug upstream.

Please first read viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10947 and for completeness's sake and also to allow others to follow up on that bug report, please also post the link to it here in the thread, thanks.

[ITA84]

Opened bug report