I can't start KDE with my normal user. I'm currently running IceWM and the only KDE applications I can run is those that don't access the internet. I can for example run kmail, but I can't enter my password (it doesn't react to the keyboard). I can't run kontact at all, while applications like kpat and kcontrol works OK. The problem persists even if I rename the ~/.kde directory. If I run as root I can start KDE normally. I didn't test it too much as root as I don't feel too comfortable running X as root. Does anybody have any idea how to fix this problem. I'm running Mandriva Cooker. startkde tries to open a window shoeing this text:
startkde even tries to write this text to stderr, but I've not seen this message.

If you are on cooker, then you are running an experiment. It is common to have it work one day and then, after updating, not work. So, update it with the latest cooker and try again. If changing your user directory does not do it, then something is amiss. I used to run cooker but found it too unpredictable for daily use, something they warn you against.

I've created a new user and this new user has no problems with KDE or any KDE applications I've tried. The problem has to be my configuration, but as renaming the .kde directory didn't fix the problem it has to be something else. Does anyone have any idea what to try?

Well, if you created a new user and you have root permissions, then you can copy the kde settings from the other user to your directory and then change the permissions to your own.

Try a start kde if you are using the command line.

Peter

Curious. All the settings are in the /home/.kde directory. If you rename it, you are telling kde that it is a new user and kde sets up a new directory. I have no explanation.

Now KDE works again. I'm not sure what I did to make it work. I updated some packages, the computer died and after a reboot KDE works again.

Try to install kde once again.

type this : urpmi kde

I think this will work.