@wiggums: ext3 is default. I want, and usually select reiserfs. The few times I've tried ext3, I've had more trouble than with reiserfs.
@roarde: changing from UUID to /dev/sda1 had no effect. I am in the process of reinstalling with text install to only sda1 and sda2.
As I have 11 potential mount points, it covers the Back/Next buttons but tabbing gets me to the bottom of the screen.
Did NOT check for xfce4. I've always left
[ ] Disable boot animation
empty. Checked it this time...
Reboot accepted password then told me there are no x clients and now I'm left with a terminal window with a white back ground that occupies 1/4 the screen. It is only selected while the mouse is hovering over it. The menu suggested vasm which I tried
bash: vasm: command not found
but mc works.
Hm...The mount selection panel was not sorted this time and with my eyesight, I had selected sdb2 as swap (6.9 GiB instead of 1.86) - wiped out VL5.9. OK. Next time I need it, I can reinstall.
Interesting: / is UUID but swap is /dev/sdb2.
Neither ctrl-alt-del nor shutdown -P now worked - the later just showed help!
Merry Christmas to all.