Change from ubuntu to Xubuntu.desktop hangs at bootup, stuck at splash screen

[Camy]

Hi All
I have an old computer that was running Ubuntu Lts12.04 but I could not watch youtube vids as it was jurky.
I tried installing xubuntu.desktop with 'sudo apt-get install xubuntu-desktop' and then rebooted.
Now all I get is the xubuntu splash screen and it hangs there.
Any suggestions really appriciated.
Thanks

AMD Athlon XP 3000
2 Gig Ram
NVidia Geforce FX5200

[Dreamer Fithp Apprentice]

If it were me I'd try uninstalling that and installing either lubuntu or plain lxde. When it is hung, I'd get a tty with cntrl-alt-F1 or some F-number up to 6, inclusive. If the first one you get doesn't have a login prompt, try a different function key (1-6) until you get one that does.
It will look like a "terminal" without a window. Log in. Then:

sudo apt-get purge xubuntu-desktop
sudo apt-get install lubuntu-desktop

and when it's finished:

sudo shutdown -r now

When you login you can choose either you present bloated DE, Lubuntu, or LXDE.

[Camy]

Thanks Dreamer. When I installed it I was expecting to have a choice while booting but it doesn't get that far. All I get after turning the computer on is the splash screen, no choices
I tried Ctrl Alt F1 to 6 nothing happens. The only keys that worked were Ctrl+Alt+Del

[Camy]

Ok, I managed to get into the computer by pressing Ctrl Alt F1 just before the splash screen comes up and that way I can get a login.
Then I did as you said
sudo apt-get purge xubuntu-desktop
sudo apt-get install lubuntu-desktop

Purge xubuntu only said it was going to remove 44K but it installed over 200Mb

Anyway now I still get the xubuntu splash screen and it still hangs

[Camy]

Also tried
sudo apt-get install --reinstall ubuntu-desktop

still hangs on xubuntu screen

[Camy]

Also tried
sudo apt-get install lubuntu-desktop lxde
sudo dpkg-reconfigure lightdm

no change

Was getting an error with saned and edited the file
/etc/default/saned ..... set the no to yes

tried startx from shell prompt and get
cannot stat /etc/X11/X no such file or directory

[robin7]

Something has corrupted the boot software. The xubuntu desktop has nothing to do with choppy video playback, and merely using a different desktop environment is not the solution. I use Xubuntu 12.04 on an ancient, very underpowered computer and it runs wonderfully. Better on it, in fact, than Lubuntu for some reason I can't explain. But for videos you need to install the restricted-extras packages that are appropriate to your particular "flavor" of Ubuntu. xubuntu-restricted-extras for Xubuntu, ubuntu-restricted-extras for ubuntu, etc.

I can't tell you how to fix the boot-up issue (other than do a fresh install of Xubuntu if you want Xubuntu, Lubuntu if that's what you want, Ubu, Kubu, etc). But I can counter the above claim that Xfce or Xubuntu-desktop is "bloated" and that LXDE is superior for video playback. Neither is true.

[Camy]

I managed to solve the boot up hang by doing the following
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install --reinstall xserver-xorg
BUT
while booting and while shuting down I'm still getting the xubuntu splash screens
Anyone know how to get rid of them?

[deadflowr]

while booting and while shuting down I'm still getting the xubuntu splash screens
Anyone know how to get rid of them?

sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth

[Camy]

That did it, deadflowr
Thanks to everybody.