Failed to start x server

Do you get to the initial screen that gives you the option to "Start or install Ubuntu"? If so, does it work if you try to boot into safe graphics mode?

yes i get the start or install screen and i have tried safe graphics mode but i get the same error.

After it boots and fails, goto shell and type lspci | grep VGA #post your results

This is what i got:
0000:05:00.0 VGA Compatible Contoller: ATI Technologies Inc. RV410 [Radeon x700 Pro (PCIE)]

ok now goto /etc/X11/ type sudo nano xorg.conf scroll down to
Section "Device"
and change driver to
Driver "ati"
Then type startx. If there are errors please post them here.

the driver was already set to ati.

when i typed "startx" i got the error:
(EE) No Devices Detected
Fatal server error
No screens found

does this mean that it cannot detect my monitor?

go ahead and post your xorg.conf file so I can see the whole thing

how would i do that? put it on a floppy?

type cat /etc/X11/xorg.conf > myxorg.txt
copy all the text in that file and paste it in here.

im trying to run it from cd and i dont get into the gui just the shell. im typing this in win xp.

ok if you have a floppy then ---> type sudo mount -t vfat /dev/fd0 /media/floppy
Then type --->cp /where_the_myxorg.txt_file_is/myxorg.txt /media/floppy
Then type --->sudo umount /dev/fd0
Take floppy and put it in your windows machine and open file with notedpad. hit <ctrl>+a then post the results here.:)

I have the same problem and it seems it's because of ATI cards (from what i've read on several forums)
I have an ATi radeon 9250 with 256 ram
When I try to boot it doesn't work and it shows that "Failed to start x server" message and you can tell it's got something to do with graphics since the graphics behind are all screwed up

i have an integrated vid card with my motherboard which i booted with and it works all perfectly, i was able to install and use ubuntu

i looked around forums and nobody seems to have figured out the problem except for the fact that older ati cards seem to not work with ubuntu

i know everybody asks around for config files and stuff to try and see if everything's ok but i'm more interested in finding out the root of the problem, is it really about ati's cards? or about ubuntu's drivers or whatever?

if anybody has answers plz help us

Same problem on Laptop (ati) and Desktop (nvidia) NO Fricken Clue how to fix... PLEASE help