My problem didn't have anything to do with going on the
internet; it just suddenly started happening -- and it
occurs only with OpenOffice no other programs. And, it
doesn't happen on my desktop box running Ubuntu 8.10 but
only on my Edubuntu 8.04 LTSP network.

But if "top panel bar" means what I think it does then
that's what I'm getting, too. The OpenOffice screen is
super-maximized to the extent it hides top and bottom
panels both, and there is only an X showing, nothing to
reduce the size of the OpenOffice window.

> In order to get to the desktop, Ctrl, Alt, D must be used.

You should also be able to use Alt-F9, which minimizes
the window.

> Is there some way to keep it in view?

That's my question.

> One of the messages mentioned the keyboard shortcut, but
> I would like it always available.
>
> Searched Ubuntu, but just can't get to the right place for
> help on this issue.

FWIW, these two links on hotkeys were given to me -- you'll
see if you go through the thread I linked, above -- but
I haven't found what I need to make the panels appear again.

http://allhotkeys.com/ubuntu_hotkeys.html
www.ubuntu-unleashed.com/2008/02/list-of-ubu\
ntu-keyboard-shortcuts.html

Question: are you able to shrink the window, that is, resize
it the way we usually can with the middle button (call it
"maximize-reduce toggle", shown by a square) between the
minimize button (an underscore symbol) and the "close
window button" (an X)? These three buttons normally sit in
the extreme upper right of an open window. In Open Office
under Edubuntu 8.04 only one of those three is there,
the X to close the window. Either Alt-F9 or Ctrl-Alt-D
will minimize the window and show me the desktop but
I want to figure out what's wrong, if it's a bug, and
either fix it or be assured that someone knows about it.

It sounds like the same thing, but mine so far has only happened in Mozilla. The
only thing that gets me out is the ctrl alt D. I have tried the J but that
hasn't worked at all. Alt Tab gives me an error message.. Alt F9 does work.

I have tried resizing the window and it is impossible. In Mozilla the minimize
maximize buttons are gone. There is only a gray circle that looks almost like an
Ubuntu sign. I have tried right clicking it and everything I can think of.

I would like to know how to change settings so I don't have to bother with it.

So far I haven't tried your last link. Please let me know if you find an answer.

Clearly they are related. Let's compare notes in hopes
someone can help us -- or advise us on issuing a bug
report if that's what this is (I think so).


> It sounds like the same thing, but mine so far has
> only happened in Mozilla.

Mine only in OpenOffice, Mozilla is fine.

My problem is in Edubuntu 8.04 on a 2.7 GHz Celeron
but not in my other computer, 1.7 Ghz Celeron with
plain Ubuntu 8.10. Edubuntu runs LTSP but I really
doubt that has anything to do with this problem;
that you have it too is a pretty good indication.

> The only thing that gets me out is the ctrl alt D.

Either Ctrl-Alt-D or Alt-F9 minimizes my window.

> I have tried the J but that hasn't worked at all.

Me too. It does switch me back and forth to Full Screen,
but that has no relation to the problem. In Mozilla
you would use F11 to switch back and forth from Full
Screen mode. Try that -- does it work?

> Alt Tab gives me an error message.. Alt F9 does work.

My Alt-Tab continues to function normally.

> I have tried resizing the window and it is impossible.

Same.

> In Mozilla the minimize maximize buttons are gone.

Same in OpenOffice for me.

> There is only a gray circle that looks almost like
> an Ubuntu sign.

Ah -- I have a normal X box that allows me to close the
window completely.

> I have tried right clicking it and everything I can
> think of.
>
> I would like to know how to change settings so I don't
> have to bother with it.

So would I.

> So far I haven't tried your last link. Please let me
> know if you find an answer.

Let's harangue the list hoping more of the experts
will offer suggestions. The fact that the same symptom
appears in different conditions might be an important
clue. I'm ready to run some commands and report the
results if someone tells me what to do.

>>> I installed the 8.10 intrepid ibex. Ever since when
>>> I am on the internet, the top panel bar (vocab)
>>> is hidden.

What do you mean by "vocab" ?

I went to
satscape.com to download a satellite tracking program and lost my
minimize / maximize / and my X. I have the gray circle you were
talking about. If you find the answer please let me know.
By the way I'm using Linux Mint a Ubuntu based system and I find most
everything works the same. You get more info and help here than on
Linux Mint Forum.

Since I started using Ubuntu and have started on this list, people have been
very helpful. Sometimes it takes a little while, but I couldn't have done it
without them.

Vocab? means I am not sure the correct terms for what I am talking about.

One other issue that may have something to do with my problem...a couple times I
have been using my computer and all of a sudden (not sure what I did) it will
act like it is shutting down and then will go to edubuntu. I installed it awhile
back so it is probably an earlier (fairly recent) version. Being you are having
issues in edubuntu maybe it is connected.

Alt F9 is working for me.
F11 did work for me too.

Also if I go into preferences, my top panel bar is visible until I close the
window. I can leave it open and minimize it and my bar is visible.

Others have mentioned that they are having problems having to manually connect
to their wireless after the upgrade as well. I am also having that problem.

Sorry for not deleting the previous post. I forgot about it until I had shut
down my computer for the day.

There was a "miracle" overnight. I have my top panel bar,lower panel bar and the
minimize, maximize bar on Mozilla. There wasn't an update and I can't remember
changing anything last night.

Also my wireless connected automatically this morning. It has not been doing
that since I updated to 8.10.

Even shut down and restarted to see if it would do it more than once. It did.

When preferences was open, I did find the arrow for changing the size of the
window and did reduce it. Then I did see the minimize maximize button and I used
them a couple of times.

Wish I knew what happened, but at least it is doing what it is supposed to. Hope
you all have the same experience.

A similar miracle happened to me last night, too. Another
user opened OpenOffice Word and the top and bottom panels
are there. Well it's not really a miracle as it's the
first time I actually checked to see if the problem
occurred with other users as it does with me, the
administrator.

Something in my own user settings is causing this problem,
not in the other users.

> ...When preferences was open, I did find the arrow
> for changing the size of the window and did reduce it.
> Then I did see the minimize maximize button...
>
> Wish I knew what happened, but at least it is doing
> what it is supposed to. Hope you all have the same
> experience.


Sorry for calling you Ann in the other thread, in case
you noticed. I now feel, however, like Alice with
everything just getting confusinger and confusinger.

Could you explain what you mean by "when preferences
was open"? Of course that's the browser, not OpenOffice,
but I'm still looking for clues.

I could try uninstalling OpenOffice and reinstalling
it, but would rather see if this is a bug that should
be reported (and if so learn how to do that) rather
than eliminate it in an artificial way. Of course, if
the answer doesn't emerge then I'll try that.

Experts out there? At least one other person on the
list, using a satellite tracking program, is having
a similar problem and it looks like something in
Ubuntu or Gnome rather than in an application.
Mozilla, OpenOffice, something from satscape.com...

Linux is indeed Wonderland; just, how to nail the
Mad Hatter. Hey, Snape used the command "Reveal your
secrets" on Harry's map...maybe... Naw, all he got
was a rude insult. Which reminds me: many thanks for
all help we're getting on this list.

Have you tried to use ALT-left click on the window to drag it down? Then you can
resize it when you get the top border decoration with the restore-maximixe, etc.
buttons. I have to do this sometimes on my eeePC due to the small screen size.

the ALT-right-click does pop up the Alt-9 menu
but all that does is allow me to minimize the window,
not resize it and allow the Gnome panel to show.

If it is just a user setting then it will not be necessary to re-install. There
is a hidden folder in your home folder with your settings and if you delete it
then you can reset it. You need to have Nautilus set to show hidden folders. It
is in the menu under View or you can use a hotkey, Ctrl+H. It is a toggle. Once
done, your hidden files and folders all begin with a dot. The one that you want
to delete is .openoffice. Delete it and then open Openoffice and see if this has
helped resolve the problem. A similar appraoch can be used for most settings.
Just delete them and start over.

I found .openoffice.org and it has only one directory
(no files by themselves), called user.

> Delete it and then open Openoffice and see if this has
> helped resolve the problem. A similar appraoch can be
> used for most settings. Just delete them and start over.

Excellent, thanks. I haven't done it yet, as first I'm
going to take a look at the following directories in user:

autocorr
backup
config
fonts
psprint
Scripts
temp
uno_packages
autotext
basic
database
gallery
registry
store
template
wordbook

and see if I can find something strange. Or at least,
record the contents of each in case it happens again
and make a comparison. Or, in case this turns out to
be a bug that should be reported, so I'll have a
record of what odd thing it was.

Do you have any idea, from among those directories
I listed above that are in my .openoffice.org/user
directory, might be a good place to start looking?
Do you think it might be the type of thing I might
be able to notice?

I would just delete the whole .openoffice folder. They are just settings and
they will be re-built next time you use the programme. Worst case scenario is
that you have to re-install OpenOffice in Synaptic, but I doubt that you will
have to.

Or he could just rename the folder by taking the dot off the beginning.
it is just configuration settings in that folder.