I understand, Just getting used to this forum and its protocals. Appreciate it :o

After you log in before you startx try : sudo startx and enter your password again. It is not prefered to always run as a super user but whatever makes things easy right. It is just a machine and...

I find myself having the same issue sometime especialy if it is a big drive.
First try pulling it out then put it back in again fast (just a personal thing)
If the screen does not pop up try...

I suggest looking into ettercap and then looking into rainbow tables or dictionary attacks. Chances are that if it is a homework assignment that the password is under 7 char long. Any longer than...

Looking to change the OS signature my box gives off during a scan?
Is there a way to give off a xp sp2 signature?