using a live cd on a clean hard drive but only loads to brown screen, now what?

Hello Ubuntu Community,

This is my first shot at using a linux operating system. I was able to install Ubuntu 8.10 on an old HP computer I have.

Current Specs:
Celeron D processor (running at like 2.33 MHZ or somewhere in that range)
512 MB RAM
40 GB HD
Intel Onboard Graphics (ubuntu sys requirments calls for 1024x768 compatible cards with VGA) which should be fine I think.
Onboard sound
No current network connection or internet connection

The installation process was painless and the setup was easy. But during my first login (after I typed my screen and password) it sat on that brown screen for about a half an hour before I finnaly decided to try it agian. I shut down the computer and tried again and it still got suck there.

I then proceeded to check the net for others with similar problems. I tried makeing a new user and logging in. I've tried to delete compiz and that didn't work. I've tried to do some stuff with metacity and that didn't work. I've tried to changeing settings (sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg). Nothing has worked I still get the brown screen of death when I log in to any account.

I would really like to try ubuntu out, so any help would be great.
(my current os is vista on my laptop, I think its time for a change) :p