I have not followed this thread in detail. I will mention this, in case it helps; if not, ignore.
I have seen problems caused by users of Desktop that come from its reloading out-of-date (deprecated) information. For example, if library `foo' changes in some way, and desktop retains information that made sense in an older version of `foo' but now you are using a newer version of `foo', then you can easily become confused because out-of-date information is restored and gets in the way. If suggestions from people who have more closely followed this thread do not help, try looking inside your desktop file to see if there isn't some information that you no longer want there - information that could be causing you trouble now. I mention this also for the maintainers of some of the libraries you might be using who might be following the thread. Perhaps they will recognize what's happening if they think in terms of the possible restoration of old, deprecated settings. HTH.
