While this is a newbie question... I at least did attempt to find the answer before asking... so thanks in advance for the assistance.

I was given a droid 2 to exchange out the blackberry storm I had as a very nice Christmas present (I must of been a good boy sometime last year). Motorola/Verizon when I went to get the phone activated I was asked if I wanted the phone rooted and tethering set up, which I did.

Having the phone for a week I'm about ready to start tinkering, but I can't seem to get the phone to go to Recovery mode, I've powered down... held down the "x" and the power button and all I get is the green droid with a triangle above it with an exclamation point in the middle of it... requiring a battery pull to bring the phone back to life.

I've tried to hold the "x" and power button on the whole time... just the "x", a couple different things but still no joy. I'm just trying to get the basics down prior to playing a bit more...

So besides holding my tongue wrong why can't I boot into Recovery mode?

You're on the right track. Once you see that robot standing next to the exclamation, HOLD DOWN the magnifying glass symbol (search) on your physical keyboard. Then use the volume buttons to maneuver, and camera button to confirm.
Note: choose the wipe data/factory reset first. Confirm by pushing the camera button. Once completed, maneuver to REBOOT SYSTEM NOW. Again, confirm by pushing the camera button. DONE.

Thanks for this reply nibblit... works like it should...

I take it if I used the wipe data/factory reset it kills everything I've already done to the phone ... or does it wipe data and install the update.zip on the sdcard? thus installing the backed up files I have on the sdcard? (I have been using titanium to back up)

Wiping will not touch anything on the SD

Kiosk at the mall... guess he hacks phones on the side for a few extra funds, I didn't know much about droids prior to me getting this phone, only touched the penguin once briefly on a desktop, so my wife told him to do it when I transfered numbers.

O I see well rooted is better anyways. But be careful and always backup, have fun. I will bow out gracefuly b/c I do not have a D2 and can not help was just curious about the rooting thing.

Your rep's name wasn't Dustin was it? Haha!!

DroidForums junkie!!

You're very welcome. Glad I could help.
-Victoria

Thanks for answering on my behalf. Btw, where did your inital post go? Disappeared.
-Victoria