How to get Gnome and the X Server working on a Compaq Presario SR1503WM

As we’re switching many of the computers where I work gradually over to Linux (to save on both software licensing costs, as well as to extend the life of the older hardware) I ran into a problem getting Ubuntu 8.10 running on a Compaq Presario SR1503WM. The install went smoothly, absolutely no hiccups there. Even [...]