New Install of 11.10 - no GUI

[SeanNOLA]

Linux n00b here:

I played around with Ubuntu on a DVD and decided to take the plunge on a full install. I set it up to dual-boot, along with Windows 7 on a Dell Optiplex 790 with an Intel Corei3.

The installation went swimmingly, and I am able to boot both Windows and Ubuntu just fine, but after I log into Ubuntu, I just get a blank desktop - no dash, no menu bar - just a pretty purple/pink background.

If I let it timeout, it prompts me to log back in, but I still only get as far as the blank desktop.

Any help would be much appreciated - I can't wait to get my hands dirty!

[kevdog]

Sounds like the window manager or lightdm is having problems. Can you pop open a terminal prompt at this point with alt-F2 or Alt-f5?

[mastablasta]

you need to probably install graphics drivers (unless DVD worked fine) another thing is you should check if computer has Optimus graphics switching. this is not really supported under linux but a community project was made to try to get support for it.