Graphics issue on Ubuntu start..
 

I have been on here for the past couple of days,with a problem ,when Ubuntu boots it goes to the screen where you sign in and graphics are all blurry,lines and illegible,making it impossible to go any further..
Several people have told me it is a driver issue..
Here is some new information i have an error stating:Could not start the x server(your graphical environment)due to some internal error.Please contact your system administrator or check your syslog to diagnose.In the mean time this display will be disabled.Please reinstall GDM,when the problem is corrected...
Also i found in METEST 86 V.1.70 under config ADV.options says-chip set not supported.
My chip set by the way is VIA PLE133
From what i can see Ubuntu does not have the drivers for my chip set?or my Graphics.. Is this correct?
Is it a matter of my graphics card not having the proper drivers? My G card is a ATI 3d rage pro(older)..As you can see this is an older pc,Celeron 3 1Ghz,512mgb ram..
How can i solve my problem,should i maybe just reformat, and attempt to install another version of Linux,maybe one that supports everything? I have heard that xbuntu 7.1o Gutsy gibbons is great for older PCs,would it contain all the drivers i require!...Please help!Going on three days of this torture lol...I love Linux after testing it and do not wish to ever return to Darth Billy! lol...However it is looking like i am going to have to go back kicking and screaming:)
Thanks Dave..PS: I am currently on here via the live test CD,can i make repairs etc and then boot from the HD which contains Ubuntu?As well is it possible to download xbuntu from this live CD and save it to my hard drive?

It has the drivers for the video chipset, you just have to tell it to use them!

From the info i posted Elliot,what do you gather? That i simply must configure things? If so maybe you could assist me, and i can finally resolve this.
I am trying to slow down and take things slower...I have been attempting to apply too much advice all at once.
I was hoping the info i posted above would lead to a solution...How do i configure the drivers?
Thanks alot

In theory, you just have to configure it, though I am having a hard time really telling what is going on with the information provided. The best way to know to configure is by manually editing the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file directly. If you would post your current one, I could tell you what to edit to use the proper driver.

Thank you..And now how do i go about posting that info for you?

Open the file with a text editor and copy & paste it's contents in here.

I open the file? I am a little confused,how do i find the file to open it?
Thanks

I gave you the exact path, /etc/X11/xorg.conf.

I have never used Ubuntu before in this manner..Do i type this into search for files,im confused?..I am new to all of this,and the PC world,yes i have been living in a cave..Please bare with me.
Thanks

From what I can tell, you do have a graphical environment running, just not running well, so you do have access to the GUI file manager. Open the file manager, go to the root directory, then the 'etc' directory, then the 'X11' directory, then find the 'xorg.conf' file and open it.

How do i open the file manager Elliot? I don't see it anywhere?
I am sorry but you will have to hold my hand on this one lol..Hey if we get this solved think of the good Karma coming your way:)
I really appreciate all of your patience,one day maybe i will be able to help someone in this manner...We live and learn!
Thanks

Lets do this another (easier?) way, go to the Applications menu -> Accessories(or System Tools if they put it there) -> Terminal. Then type this at the prompt, 'gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf', without the quotes of course.

I am sorry i had a system failure..Ok i typed that in..Now what?

You did hit enter...right? Does gedit open and show you the file?

I had some major issues and was off line for several hours.While following your instructions the graphics went crazy,lines,blurry etc,on live CD this time? and not just the HD..So i gathered i had an internal Graphics issue...Well upon some other advice,i put on Xbuntu over Ubuntu.And low and behold i am here with no issues!!!...Ubuntu could use some work in the driver area i feel.Or i need to learn alot more and ditch the Windows mind set,whatever that may be:)
I am gathering that it was driver issues,as Ubuntu was not configured properly.
Thanks to yourself and many others i have learned a great deal! Thanks to you i have learned how to star the config process at least:)
I apologise to all for my urgent posting,and i have now learned that while being on here and seeking advice ,it is in taking things slow and easy, that solves the issues!
Thanks to everyone for your help and i know i will be asking more questions!:).
So now i begin my adventure into a new frontier,leaving Windows behind:)
On that note i am proud of myself for sticking things out and not throwing up my hands and popping the windows disk back in to cure my problems...Maybe the people working on Ubuntu could attempt to solve the driver problems(and they have them! search on Google)...as i know a lot of potential converts would have been horrified, and never went near Linux again after running into the problems i did,many people out there are born and bred Windows users(unlucky them!)and when encountering a problem right off the get go would have ran back to Billy boy.
Thanks everyone! I will be back! I love Linux! xbuntu is very nice thus far,fast,fast,did i say fast,perfect for my needs...I look forward to spending the weekend tweaking it up to my liking:)
Dave