if I have index.php on the server. If I delete it [index.php] my index.html page comes up what could be the problem?.

Your webserver is set to look for a page named index.php before looking for a page named index.html

The XOOPS index.php exists on your site, AND you have a module set as your start up page index.php will automatically redirect to that module.

If I understand you properly, you want your index.html page to be displayed, but as long as index.php is in the directory it does not. Correct so far?

the simple solution is to rename index.php to a name that your webserver will not try to load automatically (xoops.php, main.php?). Then your index.html page can link to this renamed script to enter your XOOPS site.

If this was not the effect you wanted, please clarify your situation futher

Thanks