2008/11/9 Chakat Sandwalker <sandwalker(a)gmail.com>:
The only thing I can think of is that there isn't enough video memory, or the video card is too old; I had similar problems when trying to install an earlier version of Ubuntu on a machine with a 32MB Riva TNT card -- it would get as far as starting to load the GDM, then crash to black/brown.
I've noticed that the newer versions of Ubuntu have problems with older compters. IIRC, 7.10 was fine on some but not 8.04. One the other hand, I've found a few problems with 8.10 - first thing I noticed was that I was unable to set a fixed IP address for my wired network. Got around that by reserving a fixed IP address in the router/modem's DHCP settings. Second thing I noticed is that the microphone no longer works. Haven't managed to sort that one out yet. It looks like a visit to the next workshop will be on the cards. Third little problem is rather puzzling. Not because I haven't found a why to fix it, but why on earth has it been changed! I found the printable area for my (t)rusty old Deskjet (and my newer 3 in one) had been reduced. For some inexplicable reason, the top margin is set to about 15mm. Out with the editor and changing the ppd file fixes that, but a lot of people are going to be frustrated when their printout is clipped for no good reason. Both my ppd files are at odds with the printer specified printable area. On the positive side, and not related to 8.10, I just love how CUPS acts as a printer server. My Windows ME is still running (though I think it has one foot in the grave!) and there's no way I could use the new HP 3 in one on that computer. Solution - connect the 3 in one to the computer running Ubuntu, and on the ME system, describe the printer as an Apple printer. Hurrah for Postscript! Michael