Graphics Driver issue on Inspiron Mini 10 - Dell

[nlakes2]

I'm trying to install Ubuntu 12.04 LTS on a Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and although the live CD worked fine, now I've installed it, the graphics driver appears to be having some serious issues.
Like so
I'm not the best at Ubuntu or Linux, so clear advice how I can find and install a working driver would be great.
Many thanks.

[Bashing-om]

nlakes2; Hi ! Welcome to the forum .

Try this:
Boot the install with the boot parameter "nomodeset" -> recommended driver install;

As soon as the bios screen clears, depress and hold the shift key -> grub boot menu,
With the top entry (non recovery) kernel line high lighted , depress the "e" key for edit mode -> boot parameters screen;
Arrow down and across to the terms "quiet splash" and insert also the term "nomodeset" - with out the quotes-,
Key combo ctl+x to continue the boot process to the GUI login, degraded graphics at this point is OK.
Login here and now to install a driver:

Left side of the screen is the launcher -> System Settings -> Additional Drivers;
Install the recommended driver. This procedure assumes that you have a working internet connection, and that 3rd party repositories have been enabled (Software Sources).

hope this helps

[nlakes2]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've added nomodeset and hit ctrl + x but I'm booting up into a black screen now.

Have you any other suggestions? Otherwise, can you recommend another user friendly distro to try to install on this old PC?

EDIT: I should also add I've tried booting in failsafe graphics mode too, which did not work either.

EDIT2: I have found the command line in GRUB, can someone tell me perhaps how to force install basic graphics drivers via command line?

[Bashing-om]

nlakes2; Hey,

A quick look-about, you have the GMA 500 chip set for graphics. That has been problematic.
See if these links provide a solution: This one offers 3 possibilities, as well as lots more documentation on other aspects.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupp...eoCardsPoulsbo

In depth, and not directed to a new user, but with good back ground info:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Poulsbo

Looks very likely that it is workable;

there is a way