Thanks for the 2 x prompt reply. It worked a treat and I can now log in as root and use X.
> PS > Are you already fiddling around with XF86Config-4 ? Than Ctrl + > Alt + Backspace should be enough. Umm... I think so. I am not fiddling with the file but X seems to need it. During the X system setup I was asked if I wanted deb conf to handle parts of the XF86 config. The default was yes, so I answered yes. Now, so I can use big resolutions (1600 x1200 and 1920 x 1200), I have overwritten my existing XF86Config file with another from a Inspiron 8500 user but the monitor size doesn't seem to work ie: I can't set the resolution bigger than 1024x768 although the XF86config file and NVidia driver will allow this. The screen size seems to be stopping this change to higher resolution. Using Ctrl + Alt + + or - has absolutely no effect... perhaps my minimum size is set at 1024x768. Short of uninstalling and reinstalling X, how do I get back to the same setup point I was at so I can answer NO to the 'Let deb conf handle parts of the XF86Config' bit ? Thanks again Gregor