when I reboot, just keep getting login screen

Please tell which hardware have you tried to install...?

Thank you

I tried to upgrade the CD ROM and add a sound card. pretty basic stuff.

Thanks for the advise. I tried it. I can get a console session to stay open, which is progress. However, on a normal reboot, I still get stuck in the login screen.

One other difference, when I was in recovery mode I type startx and the gnome started. In the console session, I type startx and messages from Xterm. Specifically, it complained the device /dev/wacom could not be opened.

Additional help would be appreciated.

Please try to be sure your system is fully updated/upgraded with no pending packages so please login with your user and password then type:

sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt-get -f install
sudo apt-get --fix-missing install
sudo apt-get clean
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get clean
sudo apt-get autoremove

sudo apt-get --reinstall install kubuntu-desktop

Hope this helps

i suppose movement is progress. I followed your instructions (except I was told autoremove was illegal). I rebooted. The kubuntu login screen accepts my password opens a terminal session. I don't see the desktop. I tried typing startx in the terminal and was told I wasn't authorized. When I close the terminal session, I'm returned to the login screen.
Anything else I need to do?

Thanks,

If it is an authorization problem, try the following. In the terminal session that kubuntu login opens, type
cd $HOME
and check in which directory you are ending up by typing:
pwd
This command should give you your home directory (something like /home/<your-login-name>). If it is correct, then proceed as follow (replace the <your-login-name> by your real login name without the < and >):
sudo chown -R <your-login-name> .
chmod -R u+rw .
find . -type d | xargs chmod u+x
Those commands try to restore ownership of all files and directories in your home to you. The second one will add read and write access for you to all files and directories in your home. The last one only applies to directories, it allows you to navigate them.

One question though (in case this still does not solve your problem), if you add a new user (if you can get to Gnome again: main menu "System" -> "Administration" -> "Users and groups" or on a command line and follow the instructions: sudo useradd answers) and try to login with that user (if you used the given command line, then the login is 'answers'). Do you have the same problem as with your login?

sorry for the last posting. We all know someone who is brain dead can operate a computer. I tried one quick test before dashing to church and forgot about setting the session type. When I said I wanted a KDE session, I got a KDE session.

I appreciate all the help.

Thanks Huygens, that solved my question.

I'm happy to know it is working :-)