Konqueror runs from console but NOT from GUI

[Benjamin Sher]

Dear friends:

[Using Debian 3.1 Etch (testing) and Kmail 1.7.2 and 
KDE/Konqueror 3.3.2]

I have run into a strange problem:

Konqueror runs fine as File Manager, both as user and as root.

Konqueror also works fine as browser from the console, normally, 
like all other browsers.

But Konqueror does NOT run normally from the GUI, either in 
KDE or as URL launcher in Kmail.

Here is a screenshot:

http://www.websher.net/temp/konqueror1.jpg

See also error message generated when konqueror is launched 
from console:

http://www.websher.net/temp/konqueror2.jpg

But when I type a URL in konqueror (launched from the console), 
it works fine and launches the URL instantly. The problem arises 
when launching Konqueror (either standalone or from Kmail) from 
the GUI.

Let me point out that konqueror does not launch properly 
from KDE, Start, Internet, i.e. as a standalone browser as well as 
not launching from Kmail when launching a URL.

The only thing I can say is that I upgraded my original Sarge to 
Etch by changing the sources in sources.list, first from "stable" to 
"sarge", then a few days later, from "sarge" to "etch" (every 
"sarge" was changed to "etch"), then apt-get update. I also 
upgraded the system apt-get upgrade, but always from the testing 
"etch" distro, NEVER from "unstable".

So, how do I go about resolving this issue?

Is there something I could uninstall, then reinstall? Perhaps even 
kde? I am willing to do it if it will work. I'd certainly hate to have to 
reinstall the entire system.

One final note: Prior to switching to Debian 3.1 about two weeks 
ago, I ran Scientific Linux, a derivative of RHEL. I recall very 
clearly that I had the same problem of launching a URL from 
Kmail (spinning and shaking up and down in the taskbar). I recall 
this vividly because I discussed this with a member of the fedora-
list, who suggested that I switch from Kmail to Thunderbird, which 
I, in fact, did. So, my hunch, as an ordinary user, based on my 
experience, is that this has something to do with Konqueror. This 
couldn't be a coincidence. And, though I know little about the 
inner workings of Kmail, I'd bet that the error message generated 
in the console is a clue to what's going on. None of the other 
browsers or Kmail itself generated any error messages 
whatsoever when run from the console.

This install of Debian 3.1 was a clean, fresh install into its own 
hard drive. Debian formatted the drive, then installed its OS.

In fact, due to a number of unrelated issues, I decided to do a 
complete, fresh install of Debian once again. First thing I checked 
was Konqueror. I tested it as above. Absolutely identical results. 
Let me, however, describe the exact sequence of events that 
happen when I try to launch it in KDE (either as standalone or as 
URL launcher in Kmail):

First, after some time has passed, I see the dreaded download 
box at the top left of my screen. Then, after another eternity, I see 
the Konqueror window. I then see 25% in the status progress bar. 
Then I can see the outline of my site, i.e. just the text and lines. 
Then, after another eternity, at last I see the site with all its 
images.

Hope you can help me troubleshoot this.

Thank you so much.

Benjamin