i've fixed the 'not loading' problem (same as kudos1uk experienced) by just removing the /home/usr/.purple/prefx.xml. after this Pidgin will start normally, although you will need to reconfigure it from the scratch.
ah. great. pidgin is back for me now.
(its prefs.xml but im sure everyone would have figured that out.)
(its prefs.xml but im sure everyone would have figured that out.)