> Let me know if I can provide anymore info or if this gives you any idea of
> what is wrong...
At the GRUB menu hit "c" and type
set root=(hd0,msdos1)
linux /vmlinuz root=/dev/sda1
initrd /initrd.img
boot
and hit the ENTER key.
Do you boot into the OS?
No. I get stuck again.
Something weird just happened, though. I decided to try to disconnect the ethernet cable. I started the computer and got to grub, but the keyboard was not working, so I could not select recovery-mode. But the system booted fine in graphical mode (with keyboard and touchpad not working)! I forced a reboot (still with ethernet disconnected), grub came up and the keyboard was working, but now it got stuck again. I tried in graphical and recovery modes, both get stuck.
I am not sure if it is relevant at all, but the touchpad did not work during the installation, but it did work after I installed LXDE.