**** UPDATE *****

I decided to just go ahead and agree to the apt-get dist-update.

it removed all the files listed and installed three others. then I kept doing
apt-get dist update till it told me that there were no new programs to update.

then a did apt-get -f install to put in any files needed.

then apt-get install kdebase kdm ... (all the other files needed)

I am back up and running. all of my settings are still here in one piece.

loving linux more and more.

Luis