problems installing sarge net-install using aptitude

[Kevin Murphy <murphy2@speakeasy.net>]

Debian newbie here.

I am trying to get a GUI running following a net-install of sarge, and
I've run into what appear to be bugs(?) in package dependencies.  I've
not had success with either aptitude or tasksel.

After doing a net-install of sarge, I selected 'gnome' from the Desktop
section in aptitude.  It installed gobs of stuff and seemed happy. 
However 'startx' didn't work because basic X things seemed to be
missing, or links were not right.  I tried both as a normal user and as
root, and I also tried following a reboot.  I searched usenet and saw
various messages about X breaking for people after upgrades, along with
various ineffectual recommendations of additional x-related packages to
install.

I have two goals with this e-mail: 1) to get things working; 2) to make
sure this problem is reported.  I don't have the expertise to figure
this problem out and determine if it has already been reported or not.

Thanks,
Kevin