have correct pwd. but cant logon,logon screen keeps recycling

Asked by william miller

running ubuntu 12.04 on HP pavillion dv5 laptop. usually runs like a top. recently decided to try another desktop environment when i noticed the laternates on the logon page. now i cant get past the logon page. not even once. my password still works at the TTY 's but i cant bring up the desktop. i am not sufficiently versatle in terminal to figure this out on my own.
when i try "startx"
 i get
xxx@xxxxxx~$ [312.854880] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] sking for cache data failed
[ 312.854957] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Assuming drive cache : write through

this repeats periodically for several minutes. the [number.strings] change but the message is the same
i am on the road and this is my only laptop. i am currently booted on a live dvd to get online, because i have no idea how to get online for answers from a TTY screen.

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actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said :
#1

Have you fsck'd the partition, make sur eit is healthy? You will need to do this on an unmounted filesystem.

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