alright i'm completely new to linux. i've been reading some so bare with me. i understand the GUI for linux is xwindows or commonly known as x. well i'm running Mandrake 10.1 and am trying to load the GUI. ive logged in as root and have a shell prompt but would like to boot up xwindows? whats the command for that :-x

cut me some slack

First, log in as your user. There are a number of security implications in running X windows as root, especially if you may not yet be familiar with some of the tools available. Not trying to be picky, but I am trying to protect your system and help you get off on the right foot. Then, try running 'startx'. Depending on how well configured your system is, it should be able to bring it up. If not, you'll need to configure X more for your system.

can you please describe step by step what you are doing and typing
and any error message during the boot if any
(if you press <esc> when the splashcreen is there

It may sound like a configuration / instalation problem

in a "normal" installation of mandrake 10.1
even as root you should end up in a gui with a red background
(telling you should not be there)

during installation you should have been prompted
- to add users (Have you done so?)
- whether you wanted to start automatically the graphics interface login
(it says somehting like "I can start blabla automatically do you want to")
that bloody login managed has a name, oh yes
custom login manager, MDM (Mandrake Display Manager)

you could try to type
mdm
in the command line (after or before startx, try both, I am still a newbee as well :-)