'Start new session' gone AWOL

[marc <gmane@auxbuss.com>]

Using KDE 3.3.2, kernel 2.6.8-2-686, I've happily started new sessions 
via this menu 'Start new session' item. Today, however, I find that it 
has disappeared - even from root.

I'm sure after which precise event it disappeared, but the only system 
config type things I did late yesterday were:
- Network Admin (/usr/bin/network-admin): to reconfigure the NIC
- Install Samba, Samba client and SWAT, and configure for use

Googling, I see that this is a common problem, but I couldn't uncover a 
fix.

In the meantime, other than moving to Gnome <shudders>, is there a 
workaround?

-- 
Best,
Marc