Between phones calls and a bouncey internet....not a good day.
I threw an example of fixed background and repeat image on the Practice Board that should help.
http://www.practiceboard.com/?9475978
Note, I used a height of 5000 pixels and 100% width of page so you could see the image fixed and loooooog scroll-bar. The text is mid-way down the page.
I see Neil has given you code for a no-repeat background. So, we may have you covered.

Danno