Intermittent problem - can't rename files in Caja

[iain_33]

Linux Mint 19.1, Mate edition, 64 bit.

Every now and then, a problem crops up in Caja, in that I can't rename anything in a directory. Pressing F2 or right click > rename on a file or directory does nothing. If I create a new directory or file, it appears with the default new name "untitled folder" or "new file" but I can't change the name. It's not a permissions problem, it's on folders I have all the rights to and have edited stuff in there previously, and in fact if I right click > open terminal I can rename things from there. I can still delete things from the folder, and create things there, just not rename.

I haven't got the things I'm trying to rename open in any other application.

If I move into another directory, things work ok there, but if I return to the one I was in, I can't rename things again. It sometimes persists between closing Caja and re-opening it. It usually just resolves itself.

Any suggestions please?

[gm10]

I only remember this thread on the issue, was never able to reproduce it myself: viewtopic.php?f=206&t=276007&p=1608590& ... e#p1514945

[rickNS]

I only remember this thread on the issue, was never able to reproduce it myself: viewtopic.php?f=206&t=276007&p=1608590& ... e#p1514945

I experienced this "bug" last night, and today for first time (that I recall) in about a year of using mint 19.0 MATE.

I do realize it is not a bug if it can't be reproduced...

This may help you reproduce it (if you care to, IDK)

Anyway, I downloaded a video file specifically https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwJazZIWNgg
Using youtube-dl, output directed to ~/Videos

When the file finished downloading, I right clicked on it to rename (shorten it up, and remove the parenthesis) It wouldn't let me. I noted, the whole file name was highlighted, where "usually" the extension is not? For a second I thought it might be caused by the parenthesis, or permissions, but no, it's not.

This was not the only file that did it, but still not all of them either....intermittent, as the OP mentioned.

Solution, well the files can be renamed in terminal.
Also, dragging the file into another folder it becomes able to be renamed.

[gm10]

I do realize it is not a bug if it can't be reproduced...

It's still a bug, just much harder to identify and fix then - in particular since the bug may not even be with Caja itself.

I tried downloading your video into ~/Videos with youtube-dl while Caja 1.24 was open to that folder, couldn't reproduce the issue. I don't have LM 19 at hand to double check there.

[ColdBootII]

was never able to reproduce it myself: viewtopic.php?f=206&t=276007&p=1608590& ... e#p1514945

Me neither. I tried (also via youtube-dl download) and renamed it easily (F2) as can be seen in the title bar of smplayer (erased "Official Video" part).

However, I noticed this happening when a folder is chok-a-block with files having long file names and Caja window is relatively small size. Making it (Caja window) bigger is what resolves it.

[rickNS]

Me neither. I tried (also via youtube-dl download) and renamed it easily (F2) as can be seen in the title bar of smplayer (erased "Official Video" part).

Like the title of the post says it's intermittent, I downloaded the same file myself, and renamed it "this time"

[scjet45]

Yes, i've randomly experienced the same file renaming bugs/issues in Caja as you have.
The only quick solution for me was, once I renamed the file, (via F2, or right-clicking on it), I then just hit the "Reload the current location" button on Caja's "Main Toolbar" menu, or, from the "View" -> "Reload"
(it's basically a "refresh" caja), and the file's new name instantly appears.

I suspect Caja needs a quicker refresh rate, and/or Caja and gvfs/gtk3 need to talk to each other better?, -I wish the Dev's would look into these and a few other annoying Caja bugs, such as viewtopic.php?p=1662511#p1662511

[Tritonio]

I think I found a way to consistently reproduce this bug:

1) Open a folder with 10 files (exactly) in Caja. I just created an "empty file" and then copy pasted it 9 more times in the folder.
2) Set the view to "Icons".
3) Resize caja so that 3 files fit horizontally on each row.
4) Now resize it so that a vertical scrollbar is barely needed. So if you made the window just one pixel taller, the vertical scrollbar would disappear.
5) Make sure that you don't have a horizontal scrollbar.
6) Try to rename a file. It will be impossible.
I hope someone can fix it now.

[all41]

I think I found a way to consistently reproduce this bug:

1) Open a folder with 10 files (exactly) in Caja. I just created an "empty file" and then copy pasted it 9 more times in the folder.
2) Set the view to "Icons".
3) Resize caja so that 3 files fit horizontally on each row.
4) Now resize it so that a vertical scrollbar is barely needed. So if you made the window just one pixel taller, the vertical scrollbar would disappear.
5) Make sure that you don't have a horizontal scrollbar.
6) Try to rename a file. It will be impossible.
I hope someone can fix it now.

@Tritonio,
Excellent that you are helping pin down this anomaly--kudos
I still cannot duplicate this even using your step by step instructions. I see others have reported and replied with this issue so
probably a bug--perhaps with certain hardware/graphics. Just to say I have never had this specific issue with
Caja myself.

[rickNS]

I think I found a way to consistently reproduce this bug:

Indeed, I think you have.
I did exactly as you said, and none of the nine (9) files are renameable.

Now, whether or not anyone would care enough to look at a fix is the question, as you have already seen all that is needed for a fix is to increase the size (vertical) of the caja window.

GOOD WORK ! on solving the mystery.

PS FWIW my caja window is usually in icon view, and most often 3 icons wide, but just longer than what causes the weirdness.

[all41]

I did exactly as you said, and none of the nine (9) files are renameable.

I am still not able to reproduce this--but I indeed believe the reports are valid.
There must be a common denominator, if not software, then hardware
I suggest we each post our inxi -Fxz results for comparison and scrutiny.

Code: Select all

uno@labonline ~ $ inxi -Fxz
System:    Host: labonline Kernel: 5.3.0-40-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 7.4.0 Desktop: MATE 1.22.2 
           Distro: Linux Mint 19.3 Tricia base: Ubuntu 18.04 bionic 
Machine:   Type: Desktop System: LENOVO product: 4157D51 v: ThinkStation S20 serial: <filter> 
           Mobo: LENOVO model: LENOVO serial: <filter> BIOS: LENOVO v: 60KT47AUS date: 01/15/2014 
CPU:       Topology: Quad Core model: Intel Xeon W3550 bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Nehalem rev: 5 L2 cache: 8192 KiB 
           flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 48948 
           Speed: 2037 MHz min/max: 1596/3060 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1601 2: 1630 3: 1926 4: 1614 5: 1610 6: 1608 7: 1597 
           8: 1601 
Graphics:  Device-1: NVIDIA G96GL [Quadro FX 580] driver: nouveau v: kernel bus ID: 02:00.0 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.19.6 driver: nouveau unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz 
           OpenGL: renderer: NV96 v: 3.3 Mesa 19.2.8 direct render: Yes 
Audio:     Device-1: Intel 82801JI HD Audio vendor: Lenovo driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 
           Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.3.0-40-generic 
Network:   Device-1: Intel 82574L Gigabit Network driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: 3000 bus ID: 04:00.0 
           IF: ens1 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter> 
           Device-2: Broadcom and subsidiaries NetXtreme BCM5755 Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express vendor: Lenovo driver: tg3 
           v: 3.137 port: 3000 bus ID: 05:00.0 
           IF: ens5 state: down mac: <filter> 
Drives:    Local Storage: total: 1.39 TiB used: 374.21 GiB (26.3%) 
           ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Seagate model: ST31000528AS size: 931.51 GiB 
           ID-2: /dev/sdb vendor: Samsung model: SSD 860 EVO 250GB size: 232.89 GiB 
           ID-3: /dev/sdc vendor: Western Digital model: WD1600HLFS-75G6U1 size: 149.01 GiB 
           ID-4: /dev/sdd vendor: PNY model: CS900 120GB SSD size: 111.79 GiB 
Partition: ID-1: / size: 29.21 GiB used: 15.86 GiB (54.3%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sdb1 
           ID-2: /home size: 113.17 GiB used: 1.97 GiB (1.7%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sdb6 
           ID-3: swap-1 size: 3.72 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sdb5 
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 42.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: nouveau temp: 48 C 
           Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A gpu: nouveau fan: 0 
Info:      Processes: 223 Uptime: 12m Memory: 15.63 GiB used: 995.0 MiB (6.2%) Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 7.4.0 
           Shell: bash v: 4.4.20 inxi: 3.0.32 

[rickNS]

I suggest we each post our inxi -Fxz results for comparison and scrutiny.

OK @all41
Here's one

Code: Select all

System:    Host: t420 Kernel: 4.15.0-45-generic x86_64 bits: 64 gcc: 7.3.0
           Desktop: MATE 1.20.1 (Gtk 3.22.30-1ubuntu1)
           Distro: Linux Mint 19 Tara
Machine:   Device: laptop System: LENOVO product: 4236EY2 v: ThinkPad T420 serial: N/A
           Mobo: LENOVO model: 4236EY2 serial: N/A
           UEFI [Legacy]: LENOVO v: 83ET61WW (1.31 ) date: 07/07/2011
Battery    BAT0: charge: 42.3 Wh 99.5% condition: 42.6/47.5 Wh (90%)
           model: SANYO 42T4763 status: N/A
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i5-2520M (-MT-MCP-) 
           arch: Sandy Bridge rev.7 cache: 3072 KB
           flags: (lm nx sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx) bmips: 9966
           clock speeds: max: 3200 MHz 1: 797 MHz 2: 797 MHz 3: 797 MHz
           4: 797 MHz
Graphics:  Card: Intel 2nd Generation Core Integrated Graphics Controller
           bus-ID: 00:02.0
           Display Server: x11 (X.Org 1.19.6 )
           drivers: modesetting (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1600x900@59.98hz
           OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel Sandybridge Mobile
           version: 3.3 Mesa 18.2.2 Direct Render: Yes
Audio:     Card Intel 6 Series/C200 Series Family High Def. Audio Controller
           driver: snd_hda_intel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
           Sound: Advanced Linux Sound Architecture v: k4.15.0-45-generic
Network:   Card-1: Intel 82579LM Gigabit Network Connection (Lewisville)
           driver: e1000e v: 3.2.6-k port: 5080 bus-ID: 00:19.0
           IF: enp0s25 state: down mac: <filter>
           Card-2: Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 [Taylor Peak]
           driver: iwlwifi bus-ID: 03:00.0
           IF: wlp3s0 state: up mac: <filter>
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 250.1GB (61.4% used)
           ID-1: /dev/sda model: Samsung_SSD_850 size: 250.1GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 19G used: 8.5G (50%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda1
           ID-2: /home size: 184G used: 132G (76%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda6
           ID-3: swap-1 size: 4.00GB used: 0.00GB (0%)
           fs: swap dev: /dev/sda5
RAID:      No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 37.0C mobo: N/A
           Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: 1977
Info:      Processes: 203 Uptime: 3 days Memory: 2038.8/7863.4MB
           Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Gcc sys: 7.3.0
           Client: Shell (bash 4.4.191) inxi: 2.3.56 

[sdibaja]

I know I am off topic But I did exactly as you said, and all can be renamed.
I believe the problem is with the Version of Mate that Linux Mint is currently using.
(I use Debian Sid... nothing special, just Mate)

Code: Select all

  Host: g2d10 Kernel: 5.4.0-4-amd64 x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.2.1 
  Desktop: MATE 1.24.0 Distro: Debian GNU/Linux bullseye/sid 
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: Hewlett-Packard product: HP EliteBook 820 G2 
  v: A3009DD18303 serial: <filter> 
  Mobo: Hewlett-Packard model: 225A v: KBC Version 96.58 serial: <filter> 
  BIOS: Hewlett-Packard v: M71 Ver. 01.12 date: 11/05/2015 
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 43.5 Wh condition: 44.1/44.1 Wh (100%) 
  model: Hewlett-Packard Primary status: Unknown 
CPU:
  Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Core i7-5600U bits: 64 type: MT MCP 
  arch: Broadwell rev: 4 L2 cache: 4096 KiB 
  flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx 
  bogomips: 20750 
  Speed: 947 MHz min/max: 500/3200 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1307 2: 921 
  3: 1353 4: 1705 
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 5500 vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: i915 
  v: kernel bus ID: 00:02.0 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.7 driver: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa 
  resolution: 1366x768~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: Mesa DRI Intel HD Graphics 5500 (Broadwell GT2) 
  v: 4.6 Mesa 19.3.3 direct render: Yes 
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel Broadwell-U Audio vendor: Hewlett-Packard 
  driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:03.0 
  Device-2: Intel Wildcat Point-LP High Definition Audio 
  vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1b.0 
  Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-4-amd64 
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Ethernet I218-LM vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: e1000e 
  v: 3.2.6-k port: 5080 bus ID: 00:19.0 
  IF: enp0s25 state: down mac: <filter> 
  Device-2: Intel Wireless 7265 driver: iwlwifi v: kernel port: ef80 
  bus ID: 03:00.0 
  IF: wlo1 state: up mac: <filter> 
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 1.38 TiB used: 535.46 GiB (38.0%) 
  ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: ZTC model: SM201-512G size: 476.94 GiB 
  ID-2: /dev/sdb vendor: Samsung model: SSD 860 EVO 1TB size: 931.51 GiB 
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 28.71 GiB used: 12.47 GiB (43.4%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5 
  ID-2: /home size: 38.20 GiB used: 28.19 GiB (73.8%) fs: ext4 
  dev: /dev/sda7 
  ID-3: swap-1 size: 5.86 GiB used: 137.2 MiB (2.3%) fs: swap dev: /dev/sda6 
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 50.0 C mobo: N/A 
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Info:
  Processes: 195 Uptime: 11h 47m Memory: 15.52 GiB used: 4.15 GiB (26.8%) 
  Init: systemd runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.2.1 Shell: bash v: 5.0.11 
  inxi: 3.0.37 

[all41]

I did exactly as you said, and all can be renamed.

Same here--I cannot reproduce this in any scenario--even using prior kernels.
I am currently using MATE 1.22.2

[Tritonio]

Maybe this is specific to certain themes for GUI controls? I tried to change the window decorator and it did not seem to have any effect, but I have not yet tried to change my theme. I will.

[blueredgreen]

I have same intermittent problem as described in first post. I think it is only on folders I have on a large 8 tb external drive.

It will be working fine, then all of a sudden cannot rename a folder on this drive and any new folder I make has name "untitled folder" and I cannot change it.

If I move these folders somewhere else, then I can rename them and move them back.

This is with mint mate 19.1 but seemed to start 2 or 3 years ago on prior versions of mate.

[Tritonio]

I switched to Devuan and Caja 1.16.6 doesn't seem to have that issue. Although the version of MATE I use is not the only different thing now, I've changed my fonts a lot (and still can't find a font I like).

[colibris79]

Same problem here with Mint 19.3 and Caja 1.22.2. Luckily resizing the window fixes it. So thanks for the temporary fix

[saivinob]

Hi, just want to add my observation. I'm on LinuxMint 20.1 and also running Ubuntu 21.04 (devel). I can reproduce this bug following steps mentioned by @Tritonio.

@folks who could not reproduce,
have done exactly as asked (not challenging though )? What I mean to say is, the window height should not be small enough so that the vertical bar has space to move and also not long enough for it to disappear; height should be such that the vertical bar is just barely visible. I can reproduce it and make it disappear (by changing window size) repeatedly, across reboots.

[all41]

Hi, just want to add my observation. I'm on LinuxMint 20.1 and also running Ubuntu 21.04 (devel). I can reproduce this bug following steps mentioned by @Tritonio.

@folks who could not reproduce,
have done exactly as asked (not challenging though )? What I mean to say is, the window height should not be small enough so that the vertical bar has space to move and also not long enough for it to disappear; height should be such that the vertical bar is just barely visible. I can reproduce it and make it disappear (by changing window size) repeatedly, across reboots.

Yes, I am able to observe the problem.
The problem can be observed with as few as three files in a single column.
What seems to be happening is the vertical scrollbar is triggering the typing search window
so when you start typing to rename that text goes into the search window instead.
Reduce the vertical size a few more pixels (smaller scrollbar) and the problem goes away.

In the ss below the file has been right-clicked/rename

caja1.png (37.29 KiB) Viewed 4330 times

As shown below typing the newname goes into the search window instead

caja2..png (64.5 KiB) Viewed 4330 times