System Doesn't Start after upgrade from 12.04 to 12.10

I recommend you hit CTRL+ALT+F1 at the login screen and log in there. Then run:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

I assume you have web access. If you then run:

sudo reboot

Then try logging in as normal. If it's still no good then run:

sudo apt-get install xfce4

Then hit CTRL+ALT+F7 and change session to the XFCE session.

Thankyou so much! Got the update part done. in middle of the upgrade part right now. Have a prior commitment I'll be having to leave for soon so might late tonight before I can finish trying your advice. Thanks again for your help and I'll let you know as soon as I have results either way. Might be late tonight though depending on how fast this process completes. : )

Same blank screen problem after reboot. Currently waiting on the sudo apt-get install xfce4. will change session late tonight and let you know... Thanks again!

Ok I appologize. I probably should have mentioned that I am completely and uttery illiterate towards linux. I tried the sudo apt-get install xfce4 and then hit CTRL+ALT+F7 and it takes me back to blank screen with the desktop colors in the background. Is there anything else I must do to change session to the XFCE session?

Try rebooting and the login screen will load as normal

You change the session using the icon near your username

Thanks again for your quick response. Hate that I had to take off in middle of the issue. I did try a reboot just now. System returns to the same blank screen the color of the desktop but no icons anywhere just a mouse I can move around the screen. CTRL+ALT+F7 doesn't change this screen in any way. I an enter CTRL+ALT+F1 as you directed earlier and get into a command line that looks just like the terminal to me where I log in and then have access to commands. Striking CTRL+ALT+F7 from this screen takes me back to the previously mentioned blank screen. Any more suggestions? Sorry that you're having to break everything down to such a basic level...appreciate your patience.

What video chip do you use?

Sorry... no clue lol. If you are talking about something inside linux can I get the info from the command line for you? Or are you talking computer hardware. ( Just a reminder I was able to run 12.04LTS on this same machine with no known issues)

sudo lshw -C display

What is the output

Thanks

*-display
description: VGA compatible controller
product: 82865G Integrated Graphics Controller
bendor: Intel Corporation
physical id:
bus info: pci@0000:00:02.0
version: 02
width: 32 bits
clock: 33mhz
capabilities: pm vga_controller bus_master cap_list rom
configuration: driver=i915 latency=-
resources: irq:16 memory:38000000-fffffff memory:fed800000-febfffff ioport:ed8(size=8)

Try the boot option:

nomodeset

I'm sorry. Having to learn everything as I go. How do I do that? If you are getting tired of breaking everything down to such a simple level I do understand and I will be googling how to do what you advised while I wait for your answer.

Due to some time restraints and hardware issues with the laptop I was using to connect to this forum while trying to fix this upgrade issue on my desktop I have decided, for the time being, to revert back to 12.04LTS on this desktop. I will mark this as solved for the sake of your rating. Thanks so much for your help. Feel free to continue posting on this thread as I will be trying this upgrade at a later date after getting a bit more linux experience under my belt.