[ubuntu-uk] start up problems

[ged byrom]

I am having problems at start up. I am using kubuntu edgy. My problem is 
that sometimes it starts up and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes I get 
"pc out of frequency" with some numbers in khz and hz. These numbers can 
change. Sometimes I just get a blank screen and I can't get anything if 
I press ctrl-alt-F1.
It might start up 1 in 4 or 5 tries. It will sometimes start in another 
kernel but sometimes it won't.
I have edited my /boot/grub/menu.1st and removed "splash" and added 
apm=power-off. It seemed to work at first but now I'm back to square 1.
Can anyone suggest anything else to try.
Does anyone out there know how I can get rid of the kubuntu screen so I 
can see all of the loading up on a permanent basis.I know it's pretty 
but I'd like to see what's going in and where it is hanging up