Have you installed ATI's October 2002 update? If so, maybe that caused the problems. It seems that this update does more bad then good.
Try re-installing the update prior to October 2002.
Had some strange craches too after installing October update, Jedi Knight II wouldn't launch anymore.
Unfortunately, I ended up re-installing OSX.2.. Hope u don't have to go trough the same
And if you didn't instaal October update, then I still suggest a fresh install of OSX. Kernel Panics aren't quite healthy
