After installation using the network install (minimal CD) I selected Desktop and when the setup is complete, I see a login prompt. The screen flashes twice before saying that X failed to start and has been disabled. The log says "no screens found."

I previously used Ubuntu and I could use X fine. I'm only trying Debian because of Ubuntu being so unstable that it will not boot after a restart. My video card is a RADEON 9250 Pro from ATi. It does work okay in Ubuntu although it can't play any 3d games because of the horrible fglrx drivers.

I had to move my computer to another room for the Debian install (to use a wired connection) because it would not detect wireless drivers. Ubuntu couldn't, either, but I was able to find a fix in Ubuntu for my Netgear wg311v2 but couldn't apply the same fix in Debian because I couldn't use the terminal during setup.

Anyway, since the ati drivers say "no screens found" I tried using vesa but it goes to a weirdly colored screen before flashing back to the prompt giving me another error.

I have searched and found other people with this problem (Google, this forum, and various other forums) but sadly I couldn't find a solution.

there's probably a configuration error in your /etc/X11/xorg.conf file. It may be that there are whole sections missing or that your resolution/refresh rates are set wrong. Either way, during the install it should have given you the 'radeon' driver or at least the 'vesa' driver automatically, which makes me think there's something wrong with the file. do:

that will bring up the file so you can scroll through it. Look for the sections for ServerLayout, Screen, Device, and Monitor. Post them back here. Usually this problem is pretty easy to spot in the config file.

cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep EE

Post the errors from the Log..

You also said 'Debian' but didn't mention version.. is this 'Etch' you are attempting to install ? or are you trying the much older 'Sarge' stable version ?

If you did the install using Debian 3.1r4 (Debian Stable) I would recommend doing it over using the Debian Etch (Debian Testing) netinstall.. I usually choose the latest Daily build http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/

Just in case you need a 2nd opinion, listen to farslayer.

Sorry, it's 3.1r4.

cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep EE
cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf | less
(However, I know from Google that sarge uses XF86Config-4 instead)
cat /etc/X11/XF86Config-4
Since I couldn't figure out how to copy text from nano on one workspace (ctrl-alt-F1,F2, etc.) to the links browser on another, I have uploaded the file so I don't have to copy the sections by hand and then type them.
http://nicholas.x10hosting.com/XF86Config-4

Thanks for the assistance you've given me so far. I'm going to try installing using the etch netinstall you linked me to. I would have done that anyway but I did not see it and assumed you could only get a net install of sarge.

since you have 3.1r4 that would explain why you can't find the files we posted.. Debian Stable is still using Xfree86, while Debian Testing and Unstable have moved to Xorg.

Prime example why your initial post, or your profile, should specify what specific version of which Distro you are running. Hard to get good help if we are all guessing.

I installed the testing version and everything seems to be working fine. The GUI started without any problems.

Debian "stable" isn't as stable as its name suggests.

Thanks for the help, everyone.

Stable is extremely stable.. but it is also much older code. The device detection, driver support and auto configuration are not as good in Stable simply because it's older code.

Which is why we suggested moving to Etch. Newer version better device support and better chance of things just working 'out of the box'

Glad things are looking up for you now.