KDE desktop: XDM only and no window manager after upgrade

This document (000019702) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server SLES 15 SP2
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server SLES 15 SP1
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server SLES 15
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server SLES 11 SP4

Situation

Desktop environment used is KDE. After upgrade from SLES11 SP4 to SLES15 there is no KDE Login Manager anymore. There is only the XDM login manager and after successful login there is no window manager.

Resolution

It is recommended to switch to GNOME Desktop Environment or you can use unsupported KDE from Package Hub

Switching to GNOME Desktop Environment
- If not upgraded already enable the gnome_basic pattern during upgrade
- If already upgraded install the gnome_basic pattern with zypper
```
zypper in -t pattern gnome_basic
```
Use community supported KDE Desktop Environment
- after upgrade enable the Package Hub repository and install kde pattern
```
SUSEConnect --list-extensions | grep "PackageHub" | cut -dp -f2- | xargs SUSEConnect -p
zypper in -t pattern kde
```
  if there is a conflict with kdesysguard5 choose first solution (vendor change)

Cause

KDE Desktop Environment has not been included into SLES12 and later SLES versions

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.