ELIPSE AND STAR TOOLS MAKE SQUARES

Hi Tom,

that's an unusual problem for the circle tool.

For the star tool, which creates polygons AND stars, please look into the tool control bar (the bar between the top ruler and the bar with the icons for saving and printing).
Set the number of points or corners to a value other than 4, and switch from polygon to star mode, using the buttons at the left of that bar.

OR - maybe this isn't your problem at all, but you are creating TRANSPARENT objects? That would mean that you draw with the tools, and then get to see a box, and as soon as you click somewhere else, the box will be gone (because the object you created is invisible).
If this describes your problem better, please see:
http://forum.inkscapecommunity.com/index.php?action=articles;sa=view;article=18

Kind regards,
 Maren