When I try to log in to my account from the GUI the screen becames black and after a short time the log in screen reappears. This happens if I try to log in as guest as well. However, I manage to log in from the shell (which I enter with CTRl+ALT+F1). I attach some information:
During my last session I edited a bunch of files in order to change the default path of .Xauthority, .xsession-errors and .xsession-errors.old, and to remove the file .sudo_as_admin_successful from my home… but I stupidly did not take notes of what I did. I have Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.
I can remember I edited the following files: /etc/group /etc/bash.bashrc * /etc/rc.local * /etx/X11/[something]
(*: I have undone the editing of this file)
And the following variable: $XAUTHORITY
It is very likely I forgot something. Now I experience the following: I cannot find the .xsession-errors files I cannot find the variable $XAUTHORITY The file .Xauthority belongs to me, not root The file .Xauthority contains a strange line which I do not understand: ^A^@^@^Ofederico-laptop^@^AO^@^RMIT-MAGIC-COOKIE-1^@^P and then some diamonds…
(Sorry if I cannot copy the line, but I only have that laptop and I am writing from my smartphone.)