How do I start X Font Server?
 

I think I got the mouse problem fixed (was finally able to get apt-get install hotplug to work), but now when I try to do a startx it fails with the message that it was unable to open font "fixed"

I believe I just need to go in and setup the X Font Server to automatically start when I do a startx. Would anyone be so kind as to inform me how to do that?

TIA

Xfont server is part of /etc/X11/XF86Config-4. You need to check what is being loaded in there and perhaps edit it. Also check /var/log/XFree86.0.log by doing cat /var/log/XFree86.0.log | more from the command line to see exactly what the error is.

I think, you not install fonts at all start font server not help.
Check font package installed:

ii xfonts-100dpi 4.2.1-3.bunk.6 100 dpi fonts for X
ii xfonts-75dpi 4.2.1-3.bunk.6 75 dpi fonts for X
ii xfonts-base 4.2.1-3.bunk.6 standard fonts for X
ii xfonts-scalabl 4.2.1-3.bunk.6 scalable fonts for X