I switched to component cables and lost my on screen display. Any idea why?

If you mean that you switched to using the component video inputs and lost the on-screen "pop-up" displays (volume leve, etc.), that is because the 990 does not overlay data like that onto component video inputs. It only overlays that onto composite and s-video inputs. When using component video inputs, the setup menu is still available, but it is done by replacing the incoming signal with a blank screen and drawing the menu over that.

oh, so if I want to change a setting in the outlaw menu, I should turn off the DVD player so there is no signal, and then it will appear?

If you want to change a setting in the Outlaw's setup menu, you just need to be using a component video connection (or composite or s-video, of course) from the 990 to your display, then press "TNR" on the remote, then press the "MENU" button above the channel up/down buttons. The 990 will automatically replace the DVD player's signal with the menu. Of course, if you are using the DVI switching or are bypassing the 990 entirely for your video, this will not work - you will need to change your TV to an input connected to one of the 990's monitor outputs.

Ok thanks for the info Gonk. You are a valuable resource to this forum!