Gnome desktop icons do not load on login

Solution Verified - Updated -

Issue

  • Gnome desktop fails to load
  • Cannot right click on desktop
  • Cannot drag icon to desktop
  • Existing icons on desktop are missing
  • When choosing from the top menu Places -> Desktop the following error message is displayed:

Cannot open location 'file:///root/Desktop' There is no default action associated with this location

  • This problem occurs for any user that logs into the system.  Logout and re-login does not resolve the issue.

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
  • Gnome Desktop Environment

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