After installing Nvidia driver, Ubuntu fails to boot

Okay, so after searching the internet and forums for a solution to my problem, I have failed to discover one. Perhaps someone here might be able to help.

First of all, my problem: I recently installed Linux Ubuntu 8.10 and it's been running great until today. I have an onboard Nvidia GeForce 6100, and I am used to having a resolution of 1280x1024 on my windows system. Given that I'm fairly new to Linux, I was pleased to find that Ubuntu found the most recent available proprietary driver for my graphics adapter and allowed me to install it without any hassle. However, after installing this driver, I found that my resolution could only go as high as 1024x768, and higher resolutions simply resulted in a black screen until it reverted back to 1024x768 when I failed to confirm the new resolution.

So I thought I might try the driver downloaded directly from Nvidia's website to see if I received a different result. After disabling the proprietary driver provided by Ubuntu, I attempted several times to install the driver I downloaded directly. I persistently gave me the error that Nvidia X Server was running and I needed to close it in order to continue. After removing Nvidia X Server (I believe that was the name of it, it was something along those lines) via the Add/Remove tool, I rebooted and attempted once again to install the driver I had downloaded directly. After receiving the error about Nvidia X Server again, I gave up and decided to re-enable the proprietary driver. Now here's the problem: After re-enabling that driver, Ubuntu now only acts like it will boot, as it goes past the loading screen that says Ubuntu and has the orange loading bar. All it will do after this is display a beige screen with the cursor visible. I can move the cursor, but nothing beyond the beige screen will load: not the wallpaper, taskbar, or anything else besides the cursor.

Now I've tried booting the recovery mode of Ubuntu, and I noticed an option that said "Fix X Server," or something along those lines. I tried that option, but the only change it seems to have made is a change in the screen's resolution when it loads the beige screen and cursor.

I'm not sure really what other information might be needed, but if anyone can help me remedy this situation, I would greatly appreciate it, as I would like to continue using Ubuntu without having to try a fresh install.

Thanks in advance.