Ubuntu – Ubuntu 13.04 can only work in recovery mode

Hit Ctrl + Alt + F1 to reach the first virtual console. Log in there, then follow the instructions.

To get all the relevant stuff, including the kernel sources and kernel headers run next command

sudo apt-get install build-essential linux-source linux-headers

If the package linux-headers is not available, try running the command by specifying the exact version of the headers with:

sudo apt-get install linux-headers-`uname -r`

Next, install the current Nvidia driver:

sudo apt-get install nvidia-current

Once the installation completes successfully, check if the Nvidia driver is loaded:

sudo /sbin/lsmod | grep nvidia

If it's not, you will need to manually insert into memory. First, make sure all kernel module dependencies are satisfied and resolved:

sudo depmod -a

Then, load the driver:

sudo modprobe nvidia_current

This should succeed and the lsmod command should show it's loaded, but the usage count will probably be 0, because nothing will be using it yet. You will need to restart the graphics environment to actually benefit from the driver:

sudo /etc/init.d/lightdm restart

This will restart the graphics environment, you will see the Nvidia splash, and you will load into a desktop that has the Nvidia driver running, and all that. Your problem is now resolved.

Source: http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/ubuntu-quetzal-nvidia.html (even if the specified source is related to Ubuntu 12.10, I test this method and is working perfectly on Ubuntu 13.04).

Open terminal ctrl+alt+t or alternatively from you dash, press enter after each command. enter these commands one by one.

sudo su

and enter your pass word

apt-add-repository ppa:xorg-edgers/ppa

press enter to add this repository, then

apt-get update

and

apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-intel

and finally

reboot

You can paste the commands using crtl+shift+v in terminal but i recommend you to type them by hand so that you can memorize them.