gthumb / 'gconf error'

[James Gibbon <james gibbon virgin net>]

Occasionally, when I start gthumb (2.1.2), two popup boxes appear each 
with a white cross on a red background.

The first says:
"GConf error: Configuration server couldn't be contacted:
 CORBA error: IDL:omg.org/CORBA/BAD_OPERATION:1.0" (this is also 
displayed on the terminal).

The second says:
"An error occurred while loading of saving configuration
information for gThumb.  Some of your configuration settings may
not work properly."

The message: "GConf-WARNING **: Directory `/desktop/gnome/interface'
was not being monitored by GConfClient 0x8189608" also appears 
on the terminal.

However, the main application comes up as normal with my saved
configuration/ preferences in operation.  After I close the two
error message windows down, I can interact with gthumb as usual and
it all works fine.  The only irritation is that I have to close
them down first.

Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't.  It seems fairly random!
I'm running RH9.0 & KDE.  I have no experience or familiarity with
GConf and Google didn't turn up anything helpful.

Anyone any ideas?

James