Hi,
I decided to give Linux a try having used Windows all my life. The experience so far has been disappointing.

I have a Dell 700m Laptop and am installing Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Desktop).

I have spent hours searching the internet to learn that the Dell 700m has an Intel 855 graphics card. This graphics card is apparently not compatible with the latest Ubuntu Kernel.

I was able to boot the Live DVD by pressing Enter during boot (when graphic shows), then selecting English, then pressing Esc., then pressing F6 and typing "i915.modeset=1" at the end, AFTER the two -- (it doesn't work before them per this instruction.., 3) Add "i915.modeset=1" after "quiet splash". at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Bugs/Lucidi8xxFreezes)

So after booting the Live CD, I decided to install Ubuntu to my hard drive, now the PC will not boot no matter what I do. I can still boot with the Live CD, but booting from hard drive is not possible, there seems to be no option for entering the "modeset" from a hard drive install

Is there a way I can modify the modeset (on hard drive) from my LiveCD boot? Then eject the CD and boot from HD?

Sorry-- if this is dumb question-- really frustrated with Linux at this point.

Should I give up on Ubuntu, and use a different version of Linux? Knoppix? Fedora?

Thanks!
Rich

no need to change disto, just change default kernel in grub config

I wanted to have a look at the same install, LDE on Ubuntu 10.4 on a Dell D505 laptop with the same graphics card. Same result as you and it does appear to be the card. I threw away the CD at this stage. I know Knoppix 6.1 live CD works ok as does opensuse 11.2(?) the latest one anyway. SuSE was noted for being good at detecting hardware and probably still is. At the moment I am using a Windoze XP and Debian Lenny 5.3. Debian is what Ubuntu is based on and is noted for its stability (drawback is it is not cutting edge - can't have it both ways I guess). I find it easy to use. From the sound of it I don't think you would have trouble with any of these.

Found this link which is worth trying http://kubuntuforums.net/forums/inde...opic=3111379.0
and use enable KMS.