gnome session not valid ?
 

I removed fluxbox and since then I get this message when I login

The session you selected does not look valid.
I will run the GNOME failsafe session for you.

I have it set to login automatically after 10 secs. if I type in my name and password its OK but if I go automatic or hit return I get the message.

when im in failsafe I run env and see this:

DESKTOP_SESSION=fluxbox
GDMSESSION=fluxbox

how can I get my session back?

Your answer is right there in your post. You have it configured to log into fluxbox which you said you removed.

no, in the login setup in gnome I have it checked to automatically login a user after a timeout - which I have now removed.

after boot my gnome login greeter comes up and I can get in as root, but when I login in with my user name I still get the message about the session not being valid.