update: i noticed (thanks to Suse 11.0 default install!), i was running
PAE kernel; I changed to default and tried again.
Some things then worked, for example Assault Cube now works (woot) but
Google Earth and Trackmania United Forever (via Wine) still hang the
system on startup. And by hang, i mean i can’t recover without holding
the power button down and shutting off.
i must say that i did install GE and Wine/TMUF before removing the
PAE kernal and putting the “default” one on.
perhaps re-installing the apps should be the next thing to try?