Mint 13 MATE 64-bit AWN destroys desktop. [SOLVED]

[AussieAmigan]

Once I install Mint 13 MATE 64-bit (and after a sudo apt-get update to get Synaptic working properly) I install the avant-window-navigator via Synaptic.
Installation appears to go smoothly.
When I reboot I lose any semblance of Mint and go into a blue screen with only a basic AWN dock present at the bottom.

I've looked everywhere for a solution to this, and I can't be the only person with this problem.
Somewhere, I remember seeing that this is due to a gnome dependency with AWN.

Is there something I have failed to do?

I might also add that I tried to do it after installing compiz with the same effect (although I'm not entirely sure if compiz initiated properly as it would appear there are no default effect settings).
I also attempted to do it after I (apparently) had successfully installed nVidia drivers.
I keep installing from scratch and trying again....but no luck.
Is it some mate-config thing?

Can anyone please help me?
I am desperate to get this working.

[AussieAmigan]

Well it would seem I am not the only one, but I am still seeking a solution rather desperately.
http://forums.mate-desktop.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=345
Is there any easy way to eliminate these dependencies or change them to Mate?

[AussieAmigan]

Directly after the install of AWN if you type in the terminal:
avant-window-navigator
It actually works.
It's just when you reboot that it goes to a completely blue screen.
If you haven't configured AWN to start automatically you only get a blue screen.

The blue screen is actually a desktop screen, as right clicking on the desktop brings up properties as it normally would, albeit the widgets seem different.
Interestingly, portions of the Window borders are transparent.
F3 brings up a file manager.....The About says it is "Nautilus".
I wonder if that means it has installed a really cut down gnome3 or Unity, as I would imagine Mate renamed Nautilus entirely.
Typing brings up a little text box in the corner..... Unity? Gnome3? DO NOT WANT!!

Okay.....So I managed to get it to log out with the three finger salute, and got back to the Mint login.
I changed my Session to MATE and logged in. Success.
Reboot....success.

Solved??? Err. Yes and No. Let's see if I can eliminate all vestiges of Gnome3 and Unity from my system.
I want to use MATE exclusively.

I believe I eliminated Gnome3 and Gnome classic by completely removing the following packages.
gnome-session
gnome-panel

I wonder if there will be any consequences to this. I'll have to get back to you.
Will installing an app pull these environments down again?

I will be installing everything barr the kitchen sink in the next week or so, so I will be able to inform you then.