by the way there is a strange thing I noticed while installing ubuntu 6.06.

...

my net connection was on and the setup was checking the internet for packages. but with my 64 k cable connection on, and the setup completed, when I re booted my machine, I did not get x up and running with gnome. it came to the command line.

i have a vague feeling that this could be because your ISP is assinging some IP address to u, and your X session is assuming 127.0.0.1 or something.