Linux Distro? (don't troll plz)

Hello world4ch,
I'm new to Linux blah blah, I tried to install Ubuntu without much success (I get a "failed to load X server" error and get dumped back into command line).

Would like suggestions to alternatives to Ubuntu please, meaning, a nice beginner distro which has a good community support.

Danke.

(no "use BSD" or bullshit replies like that, it's not relevant to my interests)

>>3
Sure,
CPU: AMD64 3000+ (yes, I did use the AMD64 release of unbuntu)

Video Card: AT1 9800 (Connect 3D X800GTO 256MB PCI-E DVI VIVO)

Motherboard: ECS K8 NVIDIA -Socket 939 (K51150) NFORCE4-A939

HDD: 2x SATA 160gb (different makes)

It all installs fine, it's just that when it comes to firing up Ubuntu I get an error message saying

"Failed to start the X server (your graphical interface) It is likely that it is not set up correctly. Would you like to view the X server output to diagnose the problem?"

Thank you very much for looking into it, most appreciated.

>>2
Can't do that unfortunately, need to install Linux because my next University project is based on OpenSG (the department only supports the Linux version, and I'm going to need all the help I can get! So I'll play by their rules). Also, I feel like trying out something new :)