running gnome2

["Ben Rooney" <spatial_terra hotmail com>]

i'm having trouble getting gnome2 to run on my machine.  i finally got 
garnome to compile after going through hoops.  however, i now can't get it 
to run.  i've always had trouble upgrading things on my system which i 
explain later so i don't think it's garnome that's at fault.

i've tried to configure conf files as suggested on news.gnome.org but to now 
avail.  just makes my system worst.  i've tried to create a .xsession file 
in my home directory with the new paths and library paths.  i've also tried 
to add them to my .bashrc like a different thread mentioned.  my biggest 
problem is that i don't know the start up process for xwindows/gnome so i 
can't really debug what is going on.  i don't know what is happening behind 
the scenes.

you've got to understand that the state of my machine is in a bit of a 
bastardized state.  it was initially running mandrake 7.2, then i through 
ximian on it while in between and after installing other packages or 
compiling apps myself.  i've always had trouble with nautilus and other 
apps.

so, basically, does anybody have any ideas?  does anybody know where they 
can point me to to get a background info on what gnome does when it starts 
up.  ie. what processes are started, in what order, etc...  this may help.

also, anyone know how i can unbastardize my system?  i'm thinking of going 
to debian as what i've seen on their site i like better.  more info on 
dependencies and how to get them.  mandrake is just too busy with not enuf 
detail.  is there a way to migrate to debian without reinstalling linux from 
scratch.  if so how or where can i get info.

thanks
ben

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