How can I reset Terminology settings if the terminal is inaccesable?

Question

I’m on Ubuntu 12.04 running GTK 2.x+ I was experimenting with new terminals and messed up terminology, I tried to do sudo apt-get autoremove terminology thinking that would remove the program and settings, then reinstalled it sudo apt-get install terminology but when I run the program I get the same issues and this output if run via another console.

renamon@Gibson{~}:terminology
ERR<13620>:elementary elm_prefs.c:2139 _elm_prefs_init() prefs iface module could not be loaded, the prefs widget won't function
ERR<13620>:efreet_cache lib/efreet/efreet_cache.c:1108 on_send_register() org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknown The name org.enlightenment.Efreet was not provided by any .service files
renamon@Gibson{~}:

Any help on this issue? How do I reset terminology prefrences? Can this application even be used in Ubuntu?

Answer 1

As a general rule, application-specific settings are kept either in hidden dotfiles/dotdirectories in your $HOME or in subdirectories of $HOME/.config. For example, the config file for conky is ~/.conkyrc while the configuration files for the links2 browser are in ~/.links2/ while those for vlc are in ~/.config/vlc.

So, have a look at the hidden files in your $HOME, look for any whose name contains terminology. You can do this with this command:

echo .terminolog* ./config/terminology*

That should list the config files/dirs of terminology and deleting them (or moving them) should get the program back.

---

Remember that even if you have removed the default terminal, you can still run xterm or always drop to a cirtual console with Ctrl + Alt + F2 (get back to your GUI with Ctrl + ALt+ F7, or F8 depending on your system).

Alternatively, you can list the files in the file browser if you enable "show hidden files".

Answer 2

1. sudo apt-get remove --purge terminology
2. sudo apt autoremove

3. find $HOME -name "*erminology*"

   Now you know that config files are here (or?)

   /home/dx/.config/terminology
   

4. rm -r ~/.config/terminology

5. sudo apt-get install terminology
6. Profit!

PS.:

This answer is based on this AskUbuntu answer.