After a fresh install, and updates, of 5.04 I added the Universe & MultiVerse repositories.

I then dropped into a shell and did "apt-get install kubuntu-desktop" after downloading a bazillion things (exaggeration) it asked me what I wanted to use as my DM (Desktop Manager) I told it KDE and rebooted.

After the reboot the initial splash screen came up as KDE but after logging in I'm trapped in some bizarro world were I have most of the elements of Gnome but the addition of a bunch of broken KDE icons.

How do I fix the problem OR how do I tell Ubuntu to go back to Gnome as the DM?

Here's the problem: whether you use KDE or Gnome, your personal settings are all stored in /home/username. So, if, for example, you have a trash can in KDE on the Desktop, all of a sudden a trash can will appear in Gnome on your Desktop. I generally use one desktop environment. It's nice to have a choice, but I think, once you choose, it's a good idea to stick with one. Honestly, if you want the smoothest KDE with Ubuntu, use Kubuntu. That way you don't have to install KDE and uninstall Gnome.

By the way, if you want to switch, it's at the log-in screen under Session Type.

Logon, session type...gotcha. Thank you! :-)

I'd don't want to switch back and forth, I just want ONE that works right! LOL!

BTW, the method I described for installing KDE is the "official" way listed at kubuntu.org.

The "apt-get install kde-desktop" provides the same thing as the "kubuntu" iso...at least according to kubuntu.

and if u wish to upgrade to KDE 3.4.2 add these to the etc/apt/sources.list

##Kubuntu
deb http://kubuntu.org/hoary-kde342/ hoary-updates main
deb-src http://kubuntu.org/hoary-kde342/ hoary-updates main

http://jili.over-blog.com/
has an article that explains how to switch while booting in runlevel 3

if im not mistaken kubuntu is ubuntu without gnome as far as i know that is really the only difference other than maybe screensavers and "toys"