Ok, I modified xorg.conf, but it didn't help (still getting that error, and X refuses to start). I could re-install, but I don't like that notion (I definitely don't want all the packages in the default setup, so I have to go thru every group and sub-group to de-select most - that was a big hassle with a 'keypad mouse'). So, is there another way? Would it work if I merely put the synaptics.so on a usb stick and copied it?