LinuxQuestions.org - Gui doesn't work properly

When trying to install Ubuntu on my new laptop, the screen displays weird patterns of what should be a window.
At first, everything looks fine. The orange bar moves as it should, i get the language selection menu.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/...76f84bde4e.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/...2361f3da96.jpg

But then, right when the screen would change to the desktop, it displays distorted patterns of what should be appearing:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/...d4885e58c6.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/...a9d672f840.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/...9ec0ed4a2c.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3609/...5417573198.jpg

The patterns change when i move the mouse, or hit enter.

I thought it might be a problem with the ubuntu window manager; but while trying puppy linux, the exact same thing happened:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/...150e7c2566.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/...7c0b0b8c5b.jpg

You can see a little piece of the bottom left menu button is showing.
So I got two linux distribution which I managed to install with xp in dual boot on other computers; and they both have the same problem on this laptop. (I also checked the ubuntu disk: it was ok)
But Vista works perfectly (I would much rather use ubuntu)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/...89858abd51.jpg

Someone suggested to lower the resolution (how; all i could do is change it in vista)?
Or maybe my screen and drivers are too complicated for linux. Or maybe a hardware defect? I'm not the biggest expert so I'm clueless.

Please help...

the system:
http://www.laptopshop.be/product/640...#specificaties