In a pinch I had to install Ubuntu 12.04 on an HP Pavilion g6. I was not fond of the 1024 x 7678 resolution so after investigating and finding I had the intel chipset I set the below in the grub file: GRUB_GFXMODE=1366x768x32 GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=1366x768x32 This did not work. The system just keeps rebooting as nauseum. I powered down, inserted my Ubuntu Install USB, powered up, edited the Grub file on the disk (made sure it was the disk and not the Grub for the USB stick). Powered off and tried booting up again. Same thing. So: As a noob am I missing something in the boot to allow me into a recovery mode? (I cannot seem to get to the Grub menu) If not is there a way I can recover from this? UPDATE: Holding down the shift key after BIOS gets "GRUB Loading..." and then a reboot