Bug report: Cannot login with KDE, always get "Couldn't start ksmserver"

English Install/Boot/Login
#1

Setup: two Dell U3216Q monitors, “NVIDIA Corporation G98 [Quadro NVS 420] (rev a1)”, nvidia-gfxG03-kmp-default-340.96_k4.1.12_1-41.1.x86_64, Dell Precision T3500.

This has been reasonably stable for Gnome, a bit sluggish at times,and occasionally the desktop freezes up. However, with either KDE desktop login option, I get the lightbulb symbol for a while, then black screen, then the login environment. Sometimes there’s a twm-style window that says “Couldn’t start ksmserver” with an “Okay” button.

All updates have been applied as of this morning.

I’m about to file a bugzilla report, but saw that the Wiki directs me to post the details here first.

#2

The chances are that there’s already an open bug report on this.

Login to Gnome or Icewm. Look for the file “.config/kwinrc” (under your home directory).

The chances are that the file exists, and contains a line:

OpenGLIsUnsafe=false

If you find that line, then change the “false” to “true”, and see if you can now login.