Screen freeze when starting Cinnamon session.

[whatsizbucket]

I am able to get into Cinnamon after an ATI hardware driver install, where I could only get into Gnome (No Effect) earlier. The screen then becomes unresponsive, and only the cursor moves. Clicking on the menu or anywhere else does nothing. Only Ctrl+Alt+Backspace works to end session.

Specs:

DELL Inspiron M5030 (iM5030-2800B3D) Notebook
AMD Athlon II Dual-Core P360(2.30GHz)
15.6" Display
4GB Memory DDR3 1333
320GB HDD 5400rpm
DVD±R/RW
ATI Radeon HD 4250

OS: Mint 13 Cinnamon 64-bit
All updates installed via Gnome (No effects) session.

I'm not sure I could find anything similar to this issue in paticular. I could only find hangs after using applications, not for Cinnamon itself. If there is another thread I should look at, please point me in the right direction. Thank you!

Also, I am a greenie, so if you need more stuff, I can get it to you through the Gnome (No Effects) session.