if it runs perfectly, then u r done if it displays some error like: system configuration not matching ur evolution configuration, then u need to update ur bonobo activation file UPDATING THE BONOBO-ACTIVATION-CONFIGURATION FILE 1)Edit ur bonobo-activation-config file $ cd /etc/bonobo-activation $ gedit bonobo-activation-config.xml check if there is a path which goes like: (it might be ur PREFIX instead of /opt/gnome2) the important thing is that the line shd be present if the line is present then go to step 2) if not then add the following line between the and tags You will need to restart the bonobo-activation-server process after this (either by logging out and back in or actually killing the process) 2) If after performing step 1) u still get the above error then, add the following line to ur .jhbuildrc file export BONOBO_ACTIVATION_PATH=/PREFIX/lib/bonobo/servers/ (the prefix should be replaced with the prefix ur using. eg: /opt/gnome2 ) try loggin out and then back in and try starting evo (replace PREFIX with ur prefix)