Hi there, I'm not sure if this should be in this forum or somewhere else. If it's not in the right place, please tell where where to post this.

I've been using Ubuntu for a few years now and never really had any trouble with it... until now.

I have a Ubuntu/Windows8 dual boot which a friend of mine set up for me since I have no idea how computers work (*hangs head in shame*)... recently I've been getting a black screen with some writing on it instead of the log on screen.
(Yes, yes, I know, 'some writing on it' isn't very helpful. I took a picture of it which I'd be more than happy to share. Is it possible to post pictures here? I could also type it up otherwise)

It's been happening intermittently so I would just switch it off and try again and after a few tries it would work again - since yesterday though it just won't work at all.
I could get to Windows all right though.

I'd appreciate if someone could help me! I guess I need to mention though that I really don't know much about computers at all and will therefore require very simple words please.
'_'

Thanks!

Yes you can. When you are creating a message for the board, click on the advances button before you submit the post. On the advances area, you will see a icon that looks like a paper clip. Click it. A window will open, you can navigate to the file you wish to upload. Several file formats are supported. Notice there is a max file size (256K for jpg and gif). So depending on the camera you took the picture with, you may need to shrink the picture before uploading.

By your general description, it sounds like the x-server is not starting. Just a guess on my part, I may be off base here. So, upload the pic, we'll have a look and go from there.

ok, so first of all you have to get hold of that writing, preferably take a picture of it. where it gets stuck.

if it starts whizzing by, you can try to reboot, then you are presented with the GRUB menu. there, you press any key - preferably an arrow key. this will pause the system until you press enter. now, with your arrow keys, select (=background changes) the line that has the words "recovery mode" in them and press enter.
wait until the letters stop whizzing by, take a screenshot of that too (or only of that, if the first one didn't succeed).

post'em here or e.g. on http://imgur.com/ or on http://postimage.org/

ps: your descriptions are precise and sober. keep that quality! (many self-confessed nerds could use much more of that)

Thanks for the replies! Ok, I've uploaded the picture:

http://postimg.org/image/tg2o79e0p/

it looks like the most important message whizzed by already.
when it happens, can you make out the words "kernel panic"?

could you also please try the recovery mode thing i suggested? can you get to a login prompt?

could you provide us with info about your laptop? how old, what is its name, graphic chip, memory...

is windows still booting normally?

Hi, I'm back with another picture.
I tried doing that 'recovery mode' thing you suggested, Ondoho, I hope the picture helps.

Windows is working fine... (you know, apart from the bit where it's Win8 and therefore really weird and confusing)

http://postimg.org/image/q7yldwvcf/

As for what computer I have, it's this: http://www.toshiba.co.uk/discontinue...ite-c850d-11f/

I bought it about a year ago...

Oh, and I can't get to the login prompt. I sometimes could see the login screen and then it went to the black screen with writing on it that I showed you.
Lately it always just went to that screen straight away.