VLC Package has disappeared

[pauljam20]

I had a problem with moving the panel, and in order to be able to move it I had to delete a couple of launchers. I have now lost VLC (Video LAN Converter), it is installed, but has gone from system/preferences/main menu so I can't start it or even put it on the menu or create a launcher. If I use Ubuntu Software Centre to un-install and re-install it it still doesn't appear.

[jocko]

Can you start it from a terminal? (The command is "vlc")
If not, what error message do you get?

[pauljam20]

Can you start it from a terminal? (The command is "vlc")
If not, what error message do you get?
Yes - works fine.

[jocko]

Ok, so it's only missing from the menu...
Not sure what's the "proper" way of restoring it, but you could probably fix it by copying the vlc.desktop file to your home directory's applications folder. Run this in a terminal:

cp /usr/share/applications/rhythmbox.desktop ~/.local/share/applicationsThat should bring it back to the menu.

Edit: The proper way seems to be to REMOVE any vlc.desktop and vlc.desktop.undo-X files in your /home/username/.local/share/applications folder, so this command should do it:

rm ~/.local/share/applications/vlc.deskto*

[theSuperman]

You can also right click on "Applications" in the taskbar and go to Edit Menus to add/enable/disable programs

[jocko]

You can also right click on "Applications" in the taskbar and go to Edit Menus to add/enable/disable programs
He said in the first post that that did not work (the menu editor can be started from Systems-->preferences-->"Main Menu" or by right clicking anywhere on "Applications", "Places" or "System").

[pauljam20]

@Jocko Your first command had no effect, but running your second command and de-installing VLC (can't remember the order I did it in) then reinstalling VLC works. A very quick and effective solution - thanks!

15 Dec: I have since had the same problem with Brasero, and this solution works for that as well - after adjusting the filename to match. Looks like it is a general solution to a common problem, well worth remembering.

[pauljam20]

I would have preferred to sent this as a message but apparently I haven't go enough points. For non-Swedish speakers - it's just a compliment...

@Jocko
Ni läsa mitt budskap före besvara den. Ni kontaktade problemet logiskt. Ni bad mig att göra något. Ni förklarade hur det skall göras i enkla ordalag. Jag önskar alla experter kunde göra detta!

[jocko]

I would have preferred to sent this as a message but apparently I haven't go enough points. For non-Swedish speakers - it's just a compliment...

@Jocko
Ni läsa mitt budskap före besvara den. Ni kontaktade problemet logiskt. Ni bad mig att göra något. Ni förklarade hur det skall göras i enkla ordalag. Jag önskar alla experter kunde göra detta!
Thanks. I'm no expert, but I like to try to help when I think I can...

[nasul]

I saw that you've found a soution to the problem - the terminal installation.