You wrote (in your message from Sun 3)
 > I'm using netbsd 1.3.2 with the included pcvt (3.32) console-driver.
 > 1. Is it right that I've to start xdm in daemon-mode to get the virtual
 > consoles? 

No. Xdm and virtual consoles works regardless of -nodaemon. Of course
you can't do much on the VT used to start 'xdm -nodaemon', thus deamon
mode is better).

But, when using pcvt, there must be at least one free virtual console
(ie one without a getty process waiting for a login on it) for the X
server. And you have to tell xdm which is the free virtual console to
use.

For instance if /dev/ttyC7 is marqued `off' in /etc/ttys, you should
use the line

	:0 local /usr/X11R6/bin/X vt08

in /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/xdm/Xservers. (Xfree86 numbers VT starting at 1,
while the /dev entries start at 0).

If you don't leave a free VT, the X server will pick one with a getty
process (or a already started shell) on it and both process will fight 
for the keyboard, producing the kind of behaviour your describe. 

-- 
					Matthieu