Nuts! I backed up the contents of my /home/ folder (particularly the mail directory) and some of my modified scripts in /etc/init.d and did a fresh install!

I noticed when Knoppix was booting the the Xwindows is invoked by:-

/etc/init.d/xsession start

-but not which script issued this command.

.....well, all good experience.....!

I'm back, but transcode still will not install because of dependancies!!!!!

Thanks for the help! Stuart.....