thanks for the fast answer! >For the keyboard problem, make sure console tools isn't doing a keymap for i don't think about it! a quick "mv /etc/console /etc/console.old" works fine! >As for the pty, be sure to compile in the Unix98 pty's into the kernel. i leave the settings in the kernel config alone..."[*] Unix98 PTY... (256) Maximum...." Thorsten