Ubuntu (dual boot) login screen problem

[noweis275]

I just downloaded Ubuntu. I loaded it onto my HP laptop with Windows Vista (64 bit). I downloaded Ubuntu, burnt it to a CD, loaded it, and followed to instructions to partition the hard drives automatically and install Unbutu next to Vista. I rebooted my computer and booted it up with the Ubuntu Linux option. The logo appears and then the login screen follows. The problem is the text on the login screen is flickering, so it doesn't recognize my keystrokes. I can get my username in after a few presses of each button but I can't get the password in because of the flickering. I tried to find a solution but I'm completely new to Ubuntu and dual booting a system. Any help would be great. Thanks.

[noweis275]

Anyone? I'd like to start using Ubuntu, it's a new experience for me because I've always been a Windows user. Everything seemed okay until the login screen flickering. I don't know how else I can log on. Reinstalling seems a bit extreme for one seemingly small problem so I'd like to avoid that (and since I don't know how to reinstall lol).

[ST3ALTHPSYCH0]

It sounds like what happened to me when I borked up my video driver. Do you have an Nvidia or ATI vid card? If so try these steps.
At grub select the recovery kernel.
At the next menu select drop to root shell with networking.
Install envy

 apt-get install envyng-qt

Run envy

envyng -t

Choose the driver you need from the menu.
Reboot
See if that helps.

[wsims2]

I would think the best option wold to boot into recovery and update the system first to see if that fixes the problem. It couldn't hurt.

sudo apt-get update
apt-get upgrade

I didn't think people still used envy.

[ranch hand]

I would think the best option wold to boot into recovery and update the system first to see if that fixes the problem. It couldn't hurt.

sudo apt-get update
apt-get upgrade

I didn't think people still used envy.

Yes try recovery as above. Very good advice.

[noweis275]

was having some trouble getting things typed in. As I would type it in, it would just act like I was hitting "enter" it would move up a line with some text after it and it would continue to let me type in a new line. Eventually I got it but it didn't seem to help anything. I suppose I'll try the envy thing.

[ST3ALTHPSYCH0]

Now that you say that, it doesn't sound like a vid driver error at all.

[noweis275]

Oh no lol. What do you think it might be? Do you guys think the envy thing from the first post will help? I havn't tried it yet. If that doesn't work what would you suggest, re installing?

[noweis275]

Okay, so you're all probably sick of my problem, but it's not going well.
I tried the envy thing too, and it just says it failed to fetch files.
Before that I tried the upgrade option, and it said failed to fetch files. Something along the lines of archives/ubuntu/karmic upgrade (or security or something) Sorry I don't know how to copy it for you all to see. All I wanted to do was try Ubuntu :'( I didn't know I was going to have to devote my life to fixing it.

[Leppie]

I tried the envy thing too, and it just says it failed to fetch files.
Before that I tried the upgrade option, and it said failed to fetch files.

Did you boot into recovery mode? You should get to a screen providing you the "netroot shell" option. This will give you root access with networking.