here is a dumb question
 

how do i start xwindows from the comand prompt

Try entering startx and see if that works. If you get errors, then you probably will have to configure x.

it gave me an error how would you configer it

you need to edit your /etc/XF86Config file. if you have red hat, then you have Xconfigurator, which will do it for you. if not, then you need to find out what video card you have, and we can tell you which driver you need. however, you can also look on www.xfree86.org - they have a drivers section which can probably help you out.

...ok. enough posting for me tonite. i'm going to sleep.

I have mandrake

Reboot with the mandrake install cd, take things real slow and read all the prompts. Choose to do an "Expert" "Upgrade" follow the steps carefully, when you get to the package selection just pick a game and unselect everything else. when you get near the end it will ask you if you want to install X and give you the option of 3.x.x or 4.x.x, I'd recomend the 4.x.x, follow the prompts and at the end you should have a working x installation. If you get any error messages, make an analog copy, (write them down on a piece of paper), and post them here.

If you've already installed the X components, Mandrake uses the same configuration tool as redhat. Just run "Xconfigurator" from the command line to set things up.

BTW- What are the exact errors you get when you type "startx"?