32bit: switching off network kills plasma

hi,

all works ok until network is disabled, after which no programs can be run,
files cannot opened or saved, plasma is dead and also cannot enter a terminal,
only option is a manual reboot

any ideas? suggestions welcomed

cheers

info:
2018-04-10 05:56:43 CET+1
kernel-default-4.15.13-2.4.i586 bits: 32 Desktop: KDE Plasma 5.12.4
openSUSE Tumbleweed 20180406
Device: laptop System: TOSHIBA product: Satellite M60 v: PSM60E-0C801GGR serial: N/A
Mobo: TOSHIBA model: EBQ10 v: Null serial: N/A BIOS: TOSHIBA v: V1.60 date: 03/16/2006
CPU: Single core Intel Pentium M (-UP-) cache: 2048 KB speed: 1867 MHz (max)
Graphics: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD/ATI] RV410/M26 [Mobility Radeon X700]
Network:
Card-1: Realtek RTL-8100/8101L/8139 PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter driver: 8139too
IF: enp6s1 state: down mac: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx (address hidden)
Card-2: Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG [Calexico2] Network Connection driver: ipw2200
IF: wlp6s2 state: up mac: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx (address hidden)
NetworkManager-1.10.6-2.1.i586

How? Is the minimum you should tell and the Why? might also be interesting.

this problem disappeared after deleting then restoring the swap partition

assumption: network manager information on the partition had been corrupted

hopefully end or story

bug returned after update so opened report Bug 1101249

updated os on 2018-07-18 16:14:31 UTC as follows

Kernel: 4.17.5-1-default i686 bits: 32 Desktop:
KDE Plasma 5.13.3
Distro: openSUSE Tumbleweed 20180714

no problems now switching on/off/on network

this problem now appears to have been cleared
so bug-report closed

assumption, solved by new kernel