Public bug reported: Somehow `/var/run/gdm` had the permissions changed to `711`. This causes the greeter to fail, and shows a low-res screen with no Dash. `sudo chmod 755 /run/gdm /run/gdm/greeter` fixed the problem for me, see http://askubuntu.com/questions/596046/sudo-startx-works-but-startx- gives-low-res-screen-no-dash/596047
ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04 Package: gdm 3.10.0.1-0ubuntu3.1 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-45.74-generic 3.13.11-ckt13 Uname: Linux 3.13.0-45-generic x86_64 ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.7 Architecture: amd64 CurrentDesktop: Unity Date: Thu Mar 12 13:32:21 2015 EcryptfsInUse: Yes InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-01-23 (777 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS "Precise Pangolin" - Release amd64 (20120425) SourcePackage: gdm UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to trusty on 2014-08-22 (202 days ago) ** Affects: gdm (Ubuntu) Importance: Undecided Status: New ** Tags: amd64 apport-bug trusty -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1431487 Title: `sudo startx` works, `startx` give low-res, no Dash To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gdm/+bug/1431487/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs