Guys,
Need some big help here.
I just installed some security and recommended fixes for Suse/KDE. Now, I don't get to the panels when I boot. I had hot keys setup for my browser and it works. and I am able to get to the internet. But, I don't have a panel/task bar. All I see is a blank screen that was my background for the boot up process. I'm able to start yast using the hotkey too. Since the applications and the internet processes seem to be okay, I believe I've screwed up the window manager/theme? Help!
One more thing, even though my browser and yast start up, they do not have the window borders. i.e I don't see the minimize, maximize, close buttons on the window. I am unable to move the windows using the mouse either.

Did the security update change access permissions for the KDE application(s)?

As a quick check, can you log in as "root" to a KDE session? If you can, and the KDE windows seem to be working correctly, check the permissions on the directories and files wwhere the KDE applications are stored. (On Fedora, these are /usr/bin and /usr/share/apps. Or, more generally, /usr/*)

Well, I have always logged on only as root (yeah...yeah...not a good idea! I know ) Anyway, the problems I have mentioned were recorded using root as the login. When I "console login", I'm able to browse the directories. It's just that my desktop is screwed up.

Do you have any other desktop managers installed (GNOME, Fluxbox, . . .)? Do they work?

Are you using the KDE display manager (in addition to the desktop manager)? If not, try switching to it to see what happens.

Have you looked at the log files, usually in /var/log to see if they suggest anythng?