i've got the same problem, 
i compiled kde-2.2.2 with gcc-2.95.2 on a SUSE 7.0 
(linux 2.4.16, xfree86 4.1.0)

a friend of mine has this problem SUSE 7.3
with binary update to kde-2.2.2, too.

if the problem occurs, i have to kill the xserver several times.

thanks in advance

bye
andre