[CentOS] [FIXED] Centos 5.7--desktop icons are now a blank sheet of paper with the .desktop filename and they don't work

new info, see below...

On Wed, Nov 16, 2011 at 08:31:17PM -0500, fred smith wrote:
> On Tue, Nov 15, 2011 at 08:45:48PM -0500, fred smith wrote:
> > On Tue, Nov 15, 2011 at 11:22:32AM +0100, Ljubomir Ljubojevic wrote:
> > > Vreme: 11/15/2011 03:25 AM, fred smith piše:
> > > 
> > > > note that the Desktop folder contains a subdirectory named "radio stations",
> > > > and that its representation on the desktop looks correct. but when I click
> > > > on it to open up that folder, all its contents are also broken in the
> > > > same way.
> > > >
> > > > Anybody got any clues?
> > > >
> > > 
> > > First remove all spaces from folder(s) and desktop files.
> > > 
> > > Next, there was some trick when you create your own desktop files, I was 
> > > receiving similar warning, but I am not sure (at the moment) what was 
> > > the solution. While you change names, I will later on look for a solution.
> > 
> > Tried removing spaces. makes no difference.
> > 
> > did a reboot with forced fsck, on the off-chance that would fix something.
> > no such luck.
> > 
> > created a whole new user, who CAN create working desktop launchers. which
> > tells me it's something in my own login environment that's messing me up.
> > Wonder what that might be....
> 
> Well, it's fixed. I know the solution, if not the cause:
> in my home directory, cd to .local/share/mime, delete (or rename) the
> "globs" file. log off, log on. voila.
> 
> I note that the globs file in that location is not the same size as the
> one in /usr/share/mime globs, which is also no the same size as the one
> in /usr/local/share/mime/globs. I have no CLUE how it gets generated 
> (unless update-mime-database does it, but I don't know when or by what
> agency it gets run.) but after rebooting it has not been regenerated,
> but at least my desktop launchers now work. I note that /usr/share/mime/globs
> contains:
> 
> 	application/x-desktop:*.desktop
> 
> and that the globs file I renamed in ~/.local/share/mime does not contain
> such a line. without doing further spelunking, I can only guess that it
> is the absence of that line that broke my desktop.
> 
> Wonder how the file could have become broken/corrupted? is there a more
> correct method of "fixing" it?

So, this afternoon a single update came down, a new selinux policy file.
after installing that update, the problem (described above) recurred.
So, it's some kind of selinux(-related) issue. 

If any of you have any further thoughts on this I'd like to hear them.

thanks!

Fred
-- 
---- Fred Smith -- fredex at fcshome.stoneham.ma.us -----------------------------
                    The Lord detests the way of the wicked 
                  but he loves those who pursue righteousness.
----------------------------- Proverbs 15:9 (niv) -----------------------------