Error - Failed to determine the codename of the release.

[leolol]

Should i just install the regular desktop ubuntu, what is the difference between the server and desktop variants?

[oldfred]

Server has the option to install all the various server applications. Desktop defaults to desktop type applications and the different versions of Ubuntu may install different apps.

You can install all server apps to a desktop and vice-versa.
Used by Server install to choose what you want
sudo apt-get install tasksel
sudo tasksel


The key meta packages of Ubuntu are :
ubuntu-base (the whole base system which everybody should install)
ubuntu-desktop (the whole gnome environment)
kubuntu-desktop (the whole kde environment)
xubuntu-desktop (the whole xfce4 environment)
lubuntu-desktop (the whole LXDE desktop environment)
edubuntu-desktop (the whole kids/schools oriented gnome environment)
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

If you are just getting black screen you may need nomodeset of other video boot parameters.

How to set NOMODESET and other kernel boot options in grub2 - both liveCD & first boot, but different
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1613132
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootOptions
Graphics Resolution- Upgrade /Blank Screen after reboot mega thread - MAFoElffen
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1743535

[leolol]

I don't boot into a black screen. I boot into nothing. All i get is an error message from my monitor that the output timings are wrong and that i need to change them.. i just have no clue how.

[leolol]

that's how far i am atm.. what did i do: i booted normal linux from a usb drive (i think) and then got this, after pressing (i think) f5.

[leolol]

Nobody?