Stuck at desktop

[Peter Klauer <peter@touchstonepdx.com>]

I have just installed Debian GNU/Linux i386 Woody, Version 3.0r5.
It boots to the Gnome Desktop Manager where my keyboard is recognized
and I can log in. That puts me to the Gnome 1.4 desktop GUI where my
mouse is not recognized and I can find no combination of keys to move 
around the
desktop to get a command line to work on my mouse.  Can someone help me
maneuver on the desktop with keyboard only?
Peter