problem loading on Dell x200 - installs ok but wont load up...??

[Subby]

heya

first time poster and pretty much a newbie with ubuntu.

ive got a older dell x200 laptop with me, it meets the system specs for ubuntu to work so im not really understanding why its not working for me.

so ive installed 8.10 on this dell laptop
goes thru the installation fine, ask me for all the user details name password etc.

when it finishes the install it takes me to the login screen
i enter in my details and password press enter, and thats it

login box goes away and im stuck with the wallpaper, the orange screen and it does nothing...just stays there..wont load the desktop or anything

so i guess my question is can anybody help me on how to fix this?
is it fixable? or is this laptop ubuntu unfriendly?

many thanks!

[afdoughty]

Use Jaunty. 8.10 doesn't work on my x200.

Once you have Jaunty in you might need this fix.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=976233&page=2

Once that was in it ran well (if a bit slow).

[afdoughty]

Just installed Linux Mint via Unetbootin on a USB stick. Much better install than Ubuntu Jaunty. The wireless worked straight off, no font or screen smearing issues, no tweaks of drivers. Almost a completely perfect install first time. Dropbox for linux also perfect install . Very impressed and recommend Linux Mint for all Dell X200 users out there.

A