Try to launch gtk-window-decorator like this: gtk-window-decorator --replace --sync
it's seem a sync problem between gtk-window-decorator and compiz which block or crash gtk-window-decorator: http://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/compiz/2006-December/001075.html I have same issue but when i launch gtk-window-decorator with --sync option to debug it, the problem disappears. -- compiz does not show window boards or the cube https://launchpad.net/bugs/80778 -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs