Dell Mini 9 x server graphical interface error

[madison4me]

I have been to numerous forums and have tried numerous options to get Ubuntu to run again on my laptop. Worked fine, have only had it for a week, don't know what happened.

I get the "failed to start xserver (graphical interface) error on start up. I cannot boot Ubuntu.

I have tried running reconfigure at the root prompt (didn't work), I tried getting into the GRUB menu to do recovery mode (can't bring it up), tried using the recovery disk I received from Dell on an external drive (system doesn't read the drive).

I am completely stumped. I do not know what else I can try. Any one with any other ideas PLEASE HELP!!

I am new to Linux and Ubuntu, not a computer programmer, need replies in plain english.

[brianchidester]

To bring up the grub menu you have to be fast. You hit escape when you see MBR, this should turn into MBR 2FA:, now you hit enter then escape immediadely. This should take you to the grub menu.

[anjilslaire]

Put regular ubuntu 9.04 on a usb stick and boot from it. Run it from th Live environment to see if th hardware is working correctly and if you can get a desktop.