Java applications acting up with KDE4.2.3, Qt, nvidia drivers, etc.

[linux guy]

I've got 2 Java applications that I like to use that don't work properly
anymore.

a) Cronometer.  http://spaz.ca/cronometer/   It crashes the entire
session when it runs.   It looks like redraw doesn't work.  I think
cronometer uses the swing library.

b) Eclipse's Visual Editor.

I do Java development in Eclipse and I use the Visual Editor (VE) to
make the GUIs.  VE ran fine in about April or so.  I fired it up today
to make a few changes and the GUI in the editing Window disappears from
time to time.    Eclipse and VE use the SWT library.

Prior to now, VE was very stable.  I've used it for the last several
years.

I am running F10 stable, x86, KDE 4.3.2, etc.

How would I troubleshoot these issues ?

Thanks