installing 4.4.0 solved all my problems with X.  i've now got a completely
functioning laptop!  just need to solve the cardbus issue (not critical) and
i'll have this thing all straightened out.

-brian
-- 
"Performing a Google search on the fairly unique name you've chosen weeks
ago for a piece of software you're writing, only to discover that the
sole occurance of that name is as a pen-name for someone who spends his
spare time writing X-rated PowerPuff Girls fan fiction is pretty-much a
buzzkill."				-- Jonathan Patschke --