I've very new to Linux, I just installed it and now I'm having trouble getting into the GUI when I type 'startx' the screen goes blank a couple times then I get something saying it can't detect my mouse. . would that prevent me from getting into the GUI ? And, how do I configure the mouse to work? I've got a USB connected Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer. Any help on the subject would be very appreciated, I've been messing with this thing forever and I really would like to start using Linux. Thanks in Advance =)

You need to edit /etc/X11/XF86Config (it may be XF86Config-4, it varies by distro). Your mouse section should like similar to mine below: Section "InputDevice" Identifier "Mouse1" Driver "mouse" Option "Protocol" "ExplorerPS/2 Option "Device" "dev/input/mice" Option "Buttons" "7" Option "ZAxisMapping" "6 7" EndSection This can screw up your button mapping a bit(side buttons scroll, scroll wheel does nothing) unless you load other software to map the buttons correctly, which TBO I havent completely gotten straight yet. So what you can do is change the buttons above to 5 and the ZAxisMapping to 4 5. That should make the scroll wheel act like normal but you will have no side button functionality.

I got something FYI mouse If you're already in GUI using ctrl+Alt+F2 to f6 open another login, after that command #mouseconfig then check what kind of mouse using, chose right one then logout again try to go back GUI using Ctrl+Alt+F7 play the mouse pointer should be fine. Good luck k