ive come quite far for a linux newbie as far as getting slack installed and configured. only two things that arent working properly are my mouse and xwindows. i have a geforce4 videocard so i went to nvidia's website and attepted to follow the instructions as best i could. now when i type 'startx' i see what seems to be the top left hand corner of a screen with the nvidia logo on it, then it quits after two seconds and left with this msg...

Fatal server error:
failed to initialize core devices

XIO: fatal IO error 104 (Connector reset by peer) on X server.
":0.0" after 0 requests (o known processed) with 0 events remaining.


I have a logitech dual optical mouse connected via usb, i have a feeling this is the problem. if anyone can give me any help i'd really appreciate it. if you cant or dont feel like holding my hand through this process i'd appreciate some guidance and direction just as well, thanks.

Was your X-server working before you changed the driver module ?

no this is a new/fresh install

You have to configure the x-server first !
run xf86config as root

Once you configured the Xserver, then follow the NVIDIA README instructions to add nvidia drivers to your already working x-server.
For the mouse.. I have the same mouse, and i answered how to make it work already many times, so please search the forums for "logitech mouse" or something along those lines to get it to work, its easy.
Very briefly you need USB kernel and full HID support, re-compile kernel, then edit mouse protocol to imps/2 in XF86Config file mouse section and it should work.
HTH
-NSKL

excuse my ignorance, this is all very new to me, thanks for you help and guidance all