Stuck with "root@laptopname:/# " while installing Ubuntu 9.04 (14)

     If it was updating the kernel or something similar, it is supposed to write a new grub - but it is supposed to do it successfully.
     When I created my system, I put a /boot partition; I'm not sure where your's will be, but you should be able to find it. Within the /boot directory, there should be a subdirectory called grub and a file in that called menu.1st. There should also be another subdirectory containing "splash images" (at least one) which will end in .xpm.gz (gunzipped xpm files).
     The "menu.lst" file is a text file that should contain info about your system and each kernel and/or operating system installed. It LOOKS as though your system is finding the kernels just fine and all that is missing is the splash images.

     As always, if you have the CD you installed from, the easiest way to work is to use rescue mode from that. If you HAVE to, you can do it using "grub" commands - the command "info grub" can give you all the info you need to do it. I've only done it once or twice that way myself, but ... There is also a "grub-install" command, which can be checked out with "info grub-install".
     The first thing to look at is whether you have the "splash" images, since it appears as though that's what's not being found. Let's start with that. If you fell safe enough to try it, you can use this info to completely recover your grub and system. If not, we can work on it together.

I found the menu.lst, but I couldn't anything ending in .xpm.gz
All I have are:
default
device.map
e2fs_stage1_5
fat_stage1_5
installed_version
jfs_stage1_5
menu.lst
menu.lst~
minix_stage1_5
reiserfs_stage1_5
stage1
stage2
xfs_stage1_5

And that's all that is in the /boot/grub/ folder
Any idea on which one is a splash page? It wouldn't list any of the file extensions.

why are you root during the install, Which version are you installing? desktop or server?

You may need to stop the install and see if grub is ok. Did you need the kernel upgrade? They are not always necessary and newer is not always better.

     All those look good, except I also have a directory in there called "splashimages". Within THAT directory, I have:

bike_gua.xpm.gz debian-moreblue-swirl.xpm.gz gnome-debblue.xpm.gz
biosplash.xpm.gz debsplash.xpm.gz gnucheese.xpm.gz
CRW_7206_14.xpm.gz fiesta.xpm.gz guitar.xpm.gz
debblue.xpm.gz firework.xpm.gz gunhole.xpm.gz
debian_grey1-14col.xpm.gz gentleblue.xpm.gz menu-sta.xpm.gz

     Some of those are extras I downloaded recently, but you should at least have the directory and some files in it. If you can get into the system at all (with live boot CD or something) you can either download some and set up a chosen splash screen from what you downloaded or try to find them on the live CD.

I'm not sure what happened, but overnight I tried to figure out how to stop it, because I needed to go to bed. I finally typed in "exit", and the installer continued. I ended up sending a bug report, and will be checking my email shortly to see if there is a solution. In the meantime, I don't have 9.04 (14) being displayed on the menu.lst, so I don't think it installed properly. Any way to reinstall?

If you reinstall grub and the kernel is installed then it will be added:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/GrubHowto

     I would expect it would ask to be installed again automatically - if not, you can select it from the package manager and reinstall it manually.
     Question: how much space did you give your boot directory? My first time around, I didn't give it enough space and it was unable to update. You might want to research and make sure you have a large enough area for your boot partition.
     Otherwise, welcome back.

I'm trying to find it on the Package Installer now, as it didn't ask to reinstall automatically.
I gave the system about 62 GB. I didn't give it enough when I installed it the very first time, and ended up formatting my hard drive setting it up the way I wanted it.
What happened is that, when it was asking about the grub, I told it to examine it in another shell. My other tech buddy informed on Thursday just what that meant, and it all made sense. So yea... call it a novice mistake. But hey, that's why Launchpad is here, right?

Which parts will I need to install?

     Sorry; trying to get back into programming. Seems a lot of my old stuff I wrote for FC2 doesn't work now that I am on Ubuntu, so have to fix...

     So it sounded like you are up & running, but the updates you were working on may not have taken effect? I would say as long as it is working, just update whatever you want and carry on. Or was there another question?

     Yep, that's what LaunchPad is for. Get a lot of new information myself here.