Process Protocol Error?

[G. A. Gallup]

Greetings,
    My Kubuntu 8.03 produces the following errors at KDE start up.   
Two small windows, each with the title "KDE: Desktop", an error  
message, and otherwise only an "OK" button. The first has the error  
message,
   "The process for file protocol has died unexpectedly."
After clicking on "OK" the second follows with the message,
   "The process for media protocol has died unexpectedly."
This is a new phenomenon, starting recently after several months  
running successfully.  Now no icons appear on the Desktop.  Has anyone  
else seen this problem and solved it?  Thanks
GAG