Have you tried getting to a text console?  It may be that the X server is not happy with the hardware, but that the system is still actually running. Try ctl-altF1, you may get to a login screen, where you may be able to further diagnose the problem.


On Thu, 2008-12-04 at 02:14 +0000, Greg Viola wrote:

I am having a problem getting Ubuntu 8.10 to run on my Inspiron 1100.
While it installed without issue, after reboot and signon, the OS
appears to hang with nothing besides a blank orange screen and a
moveable mouse cursor. Am running the A32 BIOS. Any thoughts on what's
happening?