Matters seem to go from bad to worse, having restarted I find that the linux, (Mandrake 8), on disk one has now lost its < file:/usr/share/applink-mdk/XXXXXXXX > the effect is that all thelaunch icons on the panel are now inactive, while those on the desktop still work. Can I as someone who has yet to be able to work the command line mend it, or would it be easier to re-install? john Seago