Boot into text mode. Log in as normal user (non-root). Start an X session with startx. Gnome desktop appears as normal. Hit Ctrl-Alt-F1 to switch back to text console. No problem here. The monitor does its re-syncing thing and clicks a relay as it adjusts to the new video signal. Hit Alt-F7 to switch back to X. I get a blank screen. The monitor doesn't resync, suggesting that the X server hasn't re-programmed the video card for graphics mode. At this point, I have to reset the machine. Ctrl-Alt-Del works, both no other keyboard stuff works. Caps-lock doesn't toggle the LED. Typing blind doesn't do anything (such as echo XXX > /var/tmp/test ), even though an xterm definitely would have focus on the X desktop. Video card is Imagine I128. XFree RPMs are 3.3.5-1.5.x. I'm running xfs. My gnome-core is 1.0.4-13rh and gnome-libs is 1.0.8-2rh. I can provide version of other gnome packages if you want. Interestingly, this doesn't happen if I start X by justing running the X-server directly. Of course, I only get the 'dots' initial X screen, but switching over and back to text mode works fine.
Ditto when running xdm... Autostart xdm for remote users, Ctrl-Alt-F2 for server console, and if you attempt to switch back, everything locks up. Ctrl-Alt-Del will not function, I'm forced to telnet in, and force shutdown to regain the server console. I don't seem to have an issue if I complete a xdm logon at the server console. Michael.Welker.com
imagine 128 cards had problems with XFree86 3.3.5, but they have been fixed in 3.3.6 (next release).