This response is written considering you as a complete newbie. So some
parts may be boring to you.
There are two cases :
A. You have installed a desktop environment
B. You have not installed any desktop environment and the console is the
only interface.
Try pressing Ctrl+Alt+F7 (try other function keys if this doesn't works,
like F8 etc.)
First of all, enter your user name followed by password on the prompt*
(this is the one you created during install). If you forgot your username
(as I saw in case of many friends), enter the user-name "root" followed by
root password/the one you created during install.
*Note that the prompt could be a black and white command line or even a
colorful display manager. Don't worry if you could not see your password as
you type, it's still there.
Now, you are ready to use the system.
Now, heading towards the solution.
A. YOU HAVE INSTALLED A DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT
So, you can login and are ready to use the OS, and you don't need to
read this mail further.
B. YOU HAVE NOT INSTALLED A DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT
In this case, you need to install a DE. Enter the following commands.
sudo apt-get update
sudo tasksel (if this doesn't work then "sudo apt-get install
tasksel" followed by "sudo tasksel")
Select Gnome/any desktop of your choice using cursors and
spacebar, move to OK using tab and press enter.
Your download will start and you will be there with a DE installed
after a couple of hours.
This assumes that you have already configured to use a Mirror/Repository
and not dependent on the installation media.
If not, then use the above procedure after inserting the installation media
once you login or edit your Software sources, which you could find online.
Best of luck
Regards
Himanshu Shekhar
