Comment 43 for bug 136529

Problem summary as I see it

I have perused about 200 bug reports this weekend and that have seen various flavors of this problem
but as far as I can see the main issues are

Install gutsy, hardy (very few feisty) can be from CD or update-manager

boot first time after installation and things are fine

boot second time and all subsequent boots gdm completes login and thats it
nothing else happens.
After successful login user almost always has blank screen (gold, brown etc.) working mouse
and nothing else, stays this way forever.

I believe this summarizes the major issues that I saw on all the reports that had this sort of problem.

although mentioned in only one or two bug reports the following appears to allow normal desktop operation

  disable gdm at boot up (update-rc.d ...)
  login to terminal window
   execute startx&