Ok so the problem is I go into my /etc/X11/xorg.conf file, and I edit a line maybe to change the resoultion or add ZAxisMapping to my mouse I then save the file and start up x but none of the changes I have made take any affect it is just like it was before is there something I need to do after editing the file so that the changes take place?
Phil

Your making the changes as root and then re-starting X in user correct?. Are the changes actually being saved in the file? Or does it change back to the original state?

Also some changes, X cannot apply may not take effect and only seem to be not working but. check the syntax again and make sure your changes are correct.

KC

Try setting mouse type to auto.

Yes making the changes as root and restarting x as user and the changes are being saved but for some reason they are not being used

What is the original issue? (ie: scroll wheel not working, etc)
What is the original lines in xorg.conf?
What have they been changed to?
What mouse do you have?
What video chip/card?

All these questions are here because what you changed may not have an effect on certain hardware (May have wrong mouse driver, or the resolution may not be supported by X for your chipset)

alright cwwilson the first issue was that my screen resolution was not high enough so under the monitor section I added "1600x1200" saved it and restarted x but nothing happened. Then I decided to download the nvidia drivers, and after installing them I suddenly had a 1600x1200 display. Then I wanted the scroll button in my Microsoft Intellimouse to work so like I used to do under XFree86Config I added the line under my mouse section Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5" Then I save the file and start x but nothing changed I still don't have a working mouse. So I am wondering if the nvidia driver installer takes a step that I don't that somehow makes x read the changes in the xorg.conf file

NVidia does a fine job. (Good that you got that working.)

Look at my xorg.conf . My mice work fine, both an ALPS touchpad and a generic USB wireless mouse. You maybe using the wrong protocol now with the xserver going from XFree to Xorg....(Just a guess).

Does your mouse work at the CLI with gpm started?

Right I just need to say that I am a royal idiot. And I am sorry if I wasted anyones time I have thus solved the problem. All that I had to do was change the mouse protocol to IMPS/2 so I am just paranoid there is nothing wrong with my xorg file, but thanks anyway for helping my resolve this issue.

You're not a royal idiot. Sometimes, it just takes a different perspective to see what is happening. That's why this forum is a goldmine. Lot of people, lots of answers.

And you did the best thing: Posting back with the solution. Now it can help others.

Again, Welcome to Slackware!