My Linux media server currently runs Ubuntu Version 9.1 (Karmic Koala). At one point I started experiencing a problem whereby I couldn't login at the Gnome screen. After typing my password, it displayed the Ubuntu splash screen, then after a few seconds, switched back to the login screen.
Since I could login as a different user, I realized the cause must be some corrupt gnome file under the user directory, but there are so many, I wasn't sure where to start. After googling around, I came across this simple solution which fixed everything.
To get to a shell login prompt from the Gnome login screen, press Ctrl+Alt+F1. In my case, I have SSH access setup, so I just connected from a remote machine. At the shell prompt, enter the following command:
$ rm -rf .gnome .gnome2 .gconf .gconfd .metacityPress Ctrl+Alt+F7 to return to the Gnome login screen, and you should be able to login as usual. Note that this will reset all your custom Gnome configuration.
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