> I agree the scrambled background isn't an issue I worry much about.
> But this is: having logged of, I get the kdm loggin window. After a
> while the monitor goes black for energy saving. From that point I only
> get the screen back to life is to restart kdm-trinity remotely via ssh.
> (moving mouse, pressing keys on the KB, switching the monitor off/on;
> all that won't work).

Just out of curiosity: can you log in blind?