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[debiani386]

<snip>
Is there like a "safe mode", or a way to change the resolution/HZ to a 
default that will work no matter what?  A "hot key" perhaps, like 
Windows F8, whatever.
</snip>

reboot and when you get to the boot loader, select recovery mode. That 
will boot you to a terminal where you can then start the x server by 
typing "startx".

--cj