If you can get X to run, you shouldn't have a problem getting KDE to run on it. In addition, you might find the following links helpful:
For laptops with exotic resolution like 1024x600, You can try editing the XF86Config file (in /etc/X11 if you use RedHat). If you have some experience with this file, you will know that there are several different "Modeline" lines in it. You only have to add a Modeline for your resolution. Unfortunately, the format of the Modeline lines is pretty esoteric; i.e., you'd have to read up a lot. One source of information could be the XFree86 Video Timings HOWTO.