I have the same problem. (Ubuntu 14.04 32-bit) I installed the most recent batch of updates (including one for compiz) and after the next reboot my system is effectively dead. After login I get wallpaper only. Ctrl-Alt-T doesn't get a terminal. Ctrl-Alt-F1 works OK.
I installed ccsm. The unity plugin was disabled. I enabled it, but I still don't have a GUI after a reboot (even though the unity plugin is still enabled) -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of DX Packages, which is subscribed to unity in Ubuntu. Matching subscriptions: dx-packages https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1212987 Title: Unity not starting after boot Status in Unity: Confirmed Status in “unity” package in Ubuntu: Confirmed Bug description: After boot today. Unity was missing. Empty desktop. In ccsm is seems the unity plugin was disabled somehow, I re-enabled it. Unity came back but coudn't set launcher icon size in settings -> appearance -> look. I tried: (http://askubuntu.com/questions/17381/unity-doesnt-load-no-launcher-no-dash-appears/) dconf reset -f /org/compiz/ unity --reset-icons &disown Unity did reset Still can set icon size in settings -> appearance -> look. Have to use Unity Tweak Tool for that to set icon size on 32. Then started Chromium and Unity crashed again. Restart and still can't set icon size or launcher to autohide. ProblemType: Bug DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.04 Package: unity 7.0.0daily13.06.19~13.04-0ubuntu1 ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.8.0-27.40-generic 3.8.13.4 Uname: Linux 3.8.0-27-generic x86_64 ApportVersion: 2.9.2-0ubuntu8.3 Architecture: amd64 CompizPlugins: No value set for `/apps/compiz-1/general/screen0/options/active_plugins' Date: Fri Aug 16 10:24:51 2013 InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-04-26 (111 days ago) InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 13.04 "Raring Ringtail" - Release amd64 (20130424) MarkForUpload: True SourcePackage: unity UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install) To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/unity/+bug/1212987/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~dx-packages Post to : dx-packages@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~dx-packages More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp