There is probably the last used desktop selection "xterm". Try to select from the session options the CDE desktop before you log in. Kari On 14.2.2013 19:27, H Vlems wrote: Logging in on the console of a Tru64 V5.0 machine I ended up in an xterm terminal and nothing else. The usual "new DECwindows" desktop was gone. Any ideas where to look for a fix? The system is an AlphaServer 800 that had been power off for a year now. Hans .