If you don't have /etc/hosts or /etc/hostname that indicates to me that something in your install went wrong. This would also cause problems for KDE and GNOME. You can recreate them easily enough. /etc/hosts should look something like this: 127.0.0.1 hostname localhost If you have a static ip you should define that as well. hosts would look something like this in that case: 127.0.0.1 localhost 209.98.65.241 destiny.ringworld.org destiny www /etc/hostname is simply the name of your box. The hostname gives your box personality, so choose wisely. Murphy's law dictates that pos, crash, burn, etc. don't make good hostnames. By the same law, nor do unbreakable, untouchable, unhackable... Anyway, that's a start to correcting your problems. GNOME and KDE need to know what localhost is and what ip hostname goes to or they break nicely. If it was me, I wouldn't reinstall. I'd roll up my sleaves and fix it. You're not me, and may find it easier to reinstall. I suggest you roll up your sleaves and fix it, you'll learn more faster. ;) | Andrew S. Zbikowski | Home: 763.591.0977 | | http://www.ringworld.org | Work: 763.428.9119 | | http://www.itouthouse.com | PCS: 612.306.6055 | | His power apparently lies in his ability to | | choose incompetent enemies. | | - Crow T. Robot, MST3K, "Prince of Space" |