Darn, broke my X or Gnome Need help to get it working

Hello everyone,

I knocked out my Gnome somehow, I believe.  I'm hoping somebody here can help.

The path to the problem goes something like this:

I finally upgraded my XFree86 to the latest RPM from RHN.  Running up2date 
via Gnome was failing on something about a configuration file.  Finally I 
tried installing it from the console command line  (up2date -u).  This time 
it said it had a problem with my /etc/X11 directory.  So I renamed it.  And 
did the same to /usr/X11R6.  The install went just fine (well seemed to).

A boat load of other things also installed and I don't have a list, but 
they were from various RHN updates in the last couple of weeks.  I am 
currently running kernel 2.4.20-24.8 from RHN (on a RH8 system).

I ran the xf86config to create a new XF86Config file supplying answers from 
the old config file.  Tried starting via startx -> blank screen.  Killed 
via Ctl-Alt-Bksp.  Revised the config file to put in some things the 
xf86config left out.  I was able to startx without errors (so says the 
log), but I get a colored pattern briefly at the top of the screen and then 
a white panel filling the upper left 2/3rds of the console and a prompt 
'xxxx]# _  '.  the _ is a white box with black outline the size of a 
character cell.

I think this is some variant of a window manager, but I am unsure.  I 
cannot type in it like a console/terminal window.  I just get a completely 
white screen if I try.  I have to kill it with Ctl-Alt-Bksp.

I have looked in /etc/sysconfig/desktop and it has 'DESKTOP="GNOME"'.

Do you have any suggestions on how I can get my Gnome desktop back?  I'll 
be happy to provide whatever information I can.

I could have attached the XFree86 log, but since there were no errors I 
didn't think it would be helpful.  If someone wants it, or a part of it, 
I'll be happy to oblige.

Thanks,
-g