Do you know if you are using kdm, xdm or gdm for your gui login (never could understand why people don't like to see any error messages on boot) manager?
Personally, I prefer the command line log in (it always works, it seems) and use an .xinitrc file in my home directory to control my X stuff.
Here is my .xinitrc file for a reference. I use fluxbox and run the gnome-panel in it for a quick launch panel.
Code:
# Duron 950 box "uilleann" user fancy .xinitrc file
# Start the stuff I want to run when I startx
# The artwiz-fonts sometimes conflict with your locale settings. To get
# them to work you may have to put the following at the beginning of your
# .xinitrc file
export LC=C
export LC_ALL=C
# Start gkrellm and put it in the slit
# When configured correctly, gkrellm will run fetchmail the fetchmail daemon
# if you have a .fetchmailrc file correctly set up with permission of 600
gkrellm -w &
# Start the keyboard hotkeys
acme &
# Run the Gnome panel
gnome-panel &
# This will run a screensaver as your background
# /usr/X11R6/lib/xscreensaver/hopalong -root &
# Start the screensaver daemon
xscreensaver -no-splash &
# Finally, I start my window manager
# Fluxbox that I installed by compiling from source code
exec /usr/local/bin/fluxbox
# Fluxbox that I installed by rpm
# exec fluxbox
# exec kde
#exec gnome-session
# Sample .xinitrc entries for starting evilwm
# Merge X resources from ~/.Xdefaults
# [ -f $HOME/.Xdefaults ] && xrdb $HOME/.Xdefaults
# Set the background and root cursor shape
# xsetroot -solid \#400040
# xsetroot -cursor_name top_left_arrow
# Start evilwm - snap to borders within 10 pixels
# /usr/bin/evilwm -snap 10 &
# Transfer control to xclock - killing xclock (with Ctrl+Alt+Escape, say)
# will exit our session
# exec xclock -digital -padding 2 -g -0+0
# Mandrake links
Mandrake home page
Mandrake Users website (needs money to access now)
Software management configuration:
Easy urpmi config for Mandrake
Software management:
urpmi mini-HOWTO
Software management:
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Urpmi But Never Dared Asking Before
You didn't install the developmental packages? As root, command:
urpmi gcc
An Introduction to the Midnight Commander. You can install it by commanding:
urpmi mc
Midnight Commander home page