problems with upgrade from RH9 to FC2

[Gary Parker]

I just tried to upgrade from RH9 to FC2 using apt-get.  Once I got the right gpg
keys it seemd to progress fine.

However, I now have many problems.  For example, my new gnome desktop panel
doesn't function right. Many "Question" dialog boxes pop up at login for any
user, including root, like:
    The panel encountered a problem while loading 
    "OAFIID:GNOME_WindowListApplet".
    Details: Failed to resolve, or extend
      '!prefs_key=/apps/panel/profiles/default/applets/applet_3/ 
      prefs;background=none:;orient=up;size=medium;locked_down=false
    Do you want to delete the applet from your configuration?

I tried removing and reinstalling gnome-panel, related packages and
dependencies, but nothing changed there.  I saw reference somewhere to removing
.gconf* and .gnome* directories to fix this but that didn't work either.

I have no idea where to go from here aside from a complete reinstall, which I
hope is not necessary.

Bash now gives a strange complaint for any command given:
    $ ls
    bash: child setpgid (1709 to 1709): No such process

The numbers change but the message is consistent.

Another problem is that latex now won't process files that once processed fine.
 Example:
    $ latex mth065_test4a_f04.tex
    bash: child setpgid (1709 to 1709): No such process
    This is TeX, Version 3.14159 (Web2C 7.4.5)
    (Fatal format file error; I'm stymied)

Help on any of these problems would be appreciated.

Gary Parker
Blue Mountain Community College
Pendleton Oregon