With Unix unless you are changing X or the kernel, you can most times just start a new instance of you. :) i.e., `xterm -ls -sb` or (in gnome) start a terminal click Edit -> Current Profile click 'Title and Command' make sure "Run command as login shell"** is checked, and click close. Start a new gnome terminal.
Tried both of those. I still get the same conflicting output from the three commands: groups michael, groups and id. I had to try those in the same VNC session. Would that make a difference? Still can't logout of this VNC session due to existing running process. I will have access to the console in a few hours. I could try it there. Thanks for the help/ Michael