An interesting set of developments. First, when I try to bring Linux up I hear the (@) sign probably at hardware detection. Everything after that is silent. However I had sighted assistance today and was told I could log in so I did it. Still complete silence, but there's a somewhat working system on that dell now. As I wrote in an earlier message to this list, lilo didn't come up and ask if I wanted to pass it any parameters during the installation process. After the xconfigurator stuff failed and I skipped it I heard the system say post installation configuration veryb quickly three times then there was a pause and then I heard that (@) sign for the first time. I'm carboning another contact I have in the penguin club, so hopefully both of us will get whatever responsses come from the list on this situation. When I did log in today I was told my last login had been Monday september 3, so we know this login although silent has worked at least twice. Any ideas on where best to go from here would be much appreciated. Jude <jdashiel@shellworld.net>