Strange console problem when X is running

[Hall Stevenson <hallstevenson@mindspring.com>]

I already posted this in a different message, so if you've already read
it, I apologize. I have determined a little more though... Here's the
original message:

********

I've recompiled the kernel again. Why ?? ;-) The console has started
getting flakey... no characters +show up when I type. Or the characters
that do show up are missing "pixels" in the horizontal plane +(hard to
describe) and they're also about 1/4 the size of my monitor !! I did
enable framebuffer for +my Matrox card, but this has worked fine with
2.2.17 and .18. This time though, I enabled some +additional fonts. Have
to assume that's the problem, so I've removed them and will try again.
Is this +a known problem ... anyone ??

********

I do know how to fix it, but it's less than ideal ;-) How ?? Exit X.
When I have the xdm login screen "open", the console behaves properly.
Any ideas ??

Here's some versions of what I'm running:

Package: xfree86-common
Version: 4.0.2-1

GNU bash, version 2.04.0(1)-release (i386-pc-linux-gnu)

Package: console-tools
Version: 1:0.2.3-14

Kernel: 2.4.0 (upgrading to this is when the problem started...)

Any other relevant packages ?? They're all from debs, via apt-get,
except the kernel.

Thanks in advance
Hall Stevenson