kwin is unstable

[Waterbottle]

Hello,

Yesterday I installed Linux Kubuntu 9.04. I have it set up to dual boot along side Windows XP. Up until today it worked perfectly, however now it's pretty broken. If I boot it up with the default window manager I get a message saying that kwin is unstable and it gives me the option to change window manager. If I don’t change it I lose the ability to resize, move and tab between windows. The windows also lose their title bar, which means I have to either have to use File->Quit or right click on the task bar to close the window. Many applications are unable to receive input from the keyboard and I can only click on items in the start menu if it does not have a window behind it. If I change the window manager to fvwm2 using the “kwin is unstable” message most of the issues are resolved, however I still don’t get any close/maximize/minimize buttons and the windows flicker from time to time. If I try to reboot or log off the monitor becomes black and I’m forced to use the computer’s power button to restart it. If I try to change the window manager at the log in screen I’m unable to log in, the exact problem varies depending on which window manager I selected. If I use IceWM the computer locks up with only the background image visible while the caps lock and scroll lock buttons blink continuously. If I use fvwm or KDE the computer locks up with only the background visible. If I use failsafe the following error message pops up and I’m returned to the login screen: “Xsession: unable to launch failsafe X session --- x-terminal-emulator no found; aborting”

The error first occurred after I rebooted the computer. Before doing so I installed all the available updates. I also installed various programs, including but not limited to: ATI Radeon driver (which I‘m not sure if even got installed, I haven‘t been able to find any signs of it being installed at least), Firefox, Rhythmbox and VLC. So I’m wondering if anyone have any idea how I could fix this, or what my next steps should be to isolate the issue?

[firehawk256]

I was just having the same problem in Debian after an update. I also noticed that everthing was fine using an NX desktop, but not on the local machine. I was able to solve the problem by basically shutting down the X server, then uninstalling everything named fglrx* (the proprietary drivers), then reinstalling everything named radeon* (the free drivers). It probably had something to do with my video card no longer being supported by the ATI proprietary drivers.

The steps I did are probably overkill but it worked for me. Hope it helps you.