I'm kind of new to linux, but i install mandriva 2006 to an old gateway solo 2500 laptop. Everything went well except after reboot no kde splash screen. it took me straight to the command line. the errors were :
- virtual width (1024) is too large for the hardware found, but none have usable configuration.
- Fatal server error: no Screens found.


do i need to edit /etc/X11/xorg.cond if so. how?

Thank you.

The resolution in your /etc/X11/xorg.conf that you specified is too big. Go ahead and edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf, with nano (a small, very easy-to-use text editor). As root, type in "nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf".

In /etc/X11/xorg.conf, there will be a line that says "Section "Screen"" (no outer quotes). In there, there will be a line that says "Subsection "Display"" (again, no outer quotes). In fact, there may be several. That's okay--just find the one that precedes the line "Depth x", where x is the color depth you desire. Beneath that line, there should be a line that says "Modes XXXxYYY", where XXX is your horizontal resolution and YYY is your vertical resolution. You probably have 1024x768 as the resolution in there; try changing it to something smaller like 800x600. Save the file (Ctrl+O in nano) and exit (Ctrl+X). Then try to start X (type "startx" into the command-line), and let us know what happens

Thanks a lot, I have try that and get a reply that:
bash: nano: command not found

since i don't have gui i don't know how to install it.
my next question is can i install it without x loaded.

Nevermind this reply i tried vi and got an editor.
i hope it work.

thank you much pda for your time, KDE looks great.

No prob Any editor would have worked...I just find vi to be confusing.