LinuxMint 13 xfce

A new install seems to have gone wrong. Nothing about the install was unusual, but startup with the new O/S is causing trouble.

The normal startup sequence seems to be followed (sometimes the re-start button is needed, otherwise everything hangs.) upto, and including the grub menu.

After that, no graphic screen.

A list of items appears showing various module reports, terminating with words like Signal 9 killed.

After this sequence ( a few minutes) the box seems to hang.

At this point, typing ls {Enter} brings up a root (?) menu, then the prompt:
(Initramfs)
Typing "Exit" {Enter} here re-starts the usual startup ending in the normal login screen.

At this point, the box seems to be running as it should.

Can someone please explain what is happening, and prescribe a cure?

Joey