Type this command after you login:
lspci -nn | grep VGA
This will give you the name/model/ID numbers of the graphics chip.
If the laptops connected to the internet:
tazx
Use the up/down arrow buttons to choose the correct video driver for the graphics chip
reported by lspci.
nvidia-> NV
intel-> intel
mach64-> mach64
ati-> ati
After you highlight the correct driver hit enter.
It will download/install the driver from the internet and run the auto configuration program for xorg-server.
Once that completes run this command to start the login manager for X session.
/etc/init.d/slim start
If all goes right you will see the graphic login screen.
Login to desktop as user tux with no password.
If you have a problem post the complete lspci -nn information and whether the laptop is connected to the internet.
No internet:
Configure xorg-server to use the vesa driver by editing files in /etc/X11/xorg.config.d/
or download the drivers on a computer that has internet,copy them to a flash drive or cdr you can plug into the laptop and install the drivers manually.