xconsole 'can't open console' (etch) - why not?

[Martin Waller <martinej.waller@ntlworld.com>]

Hi,

Am trying to run xconsole as normal user as I have done on other 
versions of debian.

When I try to run it on an etch box it pops up as expected but with the 
message 'Can't open console' in it.

Now, on my sarge box, which is due for an upgrade, it runs fine.  I 
noticed on sarge /dev/console's group is tty but on etch it's root.  So 
I changed the group of it to tty, but still no joy.  So I added myself 
to group tty (probably silly - it doesn't need that on sarge), but still 
no luck.

I can't see why it can't open the console - can anyone suggest what the 
problem is as I'm a bit stuck?

Thanks,

Martin