Runnung gconftool-2 --recursive-unset /apps/panel ; pkill gnome-panel
as suggested by NoOp on the ubuntu-users list gives me a working panel -- totally empty panels after fresh default install from alternate CD https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/581046 You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs