[ubuntu-uk] brief flashing cursor prompt then blank screen

[Rowan]

Hi. I sent a message yesterday saying my (4-month-old) Linux Certified 
laptop had died. However, I tried it again this morning and saw a brief 
flashing cursor prompt (like the one you get briefly during Ubuntu 
closedown), followed by a blank screen. This happened three times, then 
it gave up. What should I do during this flashing cursor prompt to get 
it started again?