ubuntu server flashing cursor

Hi i am new to ubuntu and i am trying to build a media server as detailed here http://havetheknowhow.com/default.htm but i am having a problem getting the server to get the server running after the install is complete i go for a reboot and it gets to the point where it should be starting to load but the cursor just sits there flashing,i have tried installing to diferent hard disks both ide disks , i have spent the best part of a weekend trying to get it up and running but it has only managed to get up and runing a couple of times.so any ideas as what the cause of the problem could be would be appreciated .
my system has the follwing components
amd 64x2 2600 processer
2 gig ddr2 ram
asrock n68-s motherboard
asus aah 4550 video card
hitachi 16gig hard disk
ubuntu 10.04.01 server os
thanks chris