Ubuntu 12.04 LTS: Error message "Failed to execute child process"

Question

I am an Ubuntu-newbie and just started working with Ubuntu (version 12.04 LTS) a couple of days ago. I wanted to add a launcher icon to desktop for launching an application I previously installed. Up to now I can only launch it by typing

setsid matlab -desktop

into my terminal. Now there is the following problem with the execution via the desktop icon: Whenever I click the desktop icon, I get the following error message:

"Failed to execute child process" I would like to add a screenshot, but unfortunately as a new user, I am not allowed to...

In the main menu from where I added the icon via drag'n'drop to desktop there is also a permission to execute the .desktop file.

I also tried to look for advice on the error message "Failed to execute child process..." but could not find anything useful. Now does anybody have an idea what I am missing? Sorry if this is a stupid question ;) ...but as I just said: I just started with Ubuntu... Thanks to everybody in advance for their help! :)

And let me know if you should need any more information...

Regards, Ron

Answer 1

Add a desktop launcher following this tutorial. In the command field enter matlab -desktop and choose a name and comment of your liking. You can add it to the launcher simply by dragging and dropping it.

Edit: If you installed matlab in your home folder or any other custom directory, replace matlab -desktop with /path/to/matlab -desktop.