Right after I install shockwave flash I restart my machine (out of habit). but to my suprise the gamma or brightness or contrast settings for X are all messed up. its like looking at a huge white screen. it first starts the problem when the machine is in the boot up process (the screen with the computer and the progress bar). these are the files I installed: compat-libstdc++-7.3-2.96.118 flash-plugin-6.0.79-1.i386 thanks for the help in advance -william -- ,.~'`'~.,.~'`'~.,.~'`'~.,.~'`'~., "Captain, life is not a dream." -Spock