I have been using my gnome-desktop-configuration for ages now, but for some reason 'all hell broke loose' just a few hours ago.

I'm running an amd64 os (debian) I have a 32bit-chroot environment installed to run things like a 32bit firefox for viewing flash etc. (worked perfectly...)

Now I had a 'problem' with the appearance of any '32bit-app' (for example firefox) because the themes I normaly use weren't available inside the chroot. I decided to change that.

I installed a tool called 'gtk-theme-switch' (inside the chroot) and used it to change the theme.
This did not really work (firefox still looked crap), but for some reason ever since trying, my desktop is corruped. I think it is the 'gnome-panel' which is causing the trouble, as whenever I log in, nothing works, or at least not for long. (the panel dies(no menus), nautilus crashes, etc.)

I traced the problem down to the themes, as, after I deleted all gnome/nautilus/mcity - specific config files from my home-dir I was able to log on, and use the default gnome desktop.
However, as soon as I went about reconfiguring my desktop, ie. reinstalling my old themes, the panel and nautilus corrupted again and I am basically left with the (ugly) default gnome-desktop...

The strange thing is, that this theme worked and now, as soon as I select it it crashes my desktop.
I have reverted everything I'd done inside the chroot (removed the themes, gtk-theme-switch) however, to get 32bit apps to 'show' on my desktop it was necessary to set the $DISPLAY variable.

Now I've rebooted quite a few times, and restarted the Xserver probably a hundred times, so I assume the $DISPLAY variable has been properly reset, but somehow I have the feeling that my problem revolves around it.

anyone any ideas?