When n-l starts, there is a popup warning 'The panel uncountered a problem loading OAFIID:GNOME_FastUserSwitchApplet'.
In the inactive n-l desktop, I can ALT-F2 to get the run dialog, enter 'desktop-switcher', select Classic where upon a switch to the classic desktop is attempted leading a usable classic desktop with a white background. Restarting GDM and login in again leads to a normal classic desktop. Attempting a switch back to the Netbook desktop again leads to an inactive session.
Additional info:
When n-l starts, there is a popup warning 'The panel uncountered a problem loading OAFIID: GNOME_FastUserS witchApplet' .
In the inactive n-l desktop, I can ALT-F2 to get the run dialog, enter 'desktop-switcher', select Classic where upon a switch to the classic desktop is attempted leading a usable classic desktop with a white background. Restarting GDM and login in again leads to a normal classic desktop. Attempting a switch back to the Netbook desktop again leads to an inactive session.