I have the same issue, any help would be great!

a long shot but have either of you got the laptop set up to go to power off when idle? ie on standby (not hibernate)

You can find this set up within the system settings

No, it's not the settings- I called up Ubuntu Dell help, and apparently, I have to reinstall Ubuntu to fix the problem.

I see the same issue with a 2 week old mini 9 with essentially no changes over the out-of-the-box configuration (a couple shortcuts added to the dell launcher).

Can you tell me how you like this opperating system?  Is it pretty easy to understand, connect to other computers or applications?  I can't seem to find very much information like this.  Thanks

Did that fix the problem?  I am having this same freezing problem on a brand new (just a couple of days old) Inspiron Mini 9.

I found interesting information in the Ubuntu big tracker:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/dell-mini/+bug/300563

https://bugs.launchpad.net/dell-mini/+bug/300784

In particular, Mini 9 users can check out this comment

https://bugs.launchpad.net/dell-mini/+bug/300784/comments/2

For a potential workaround.

Has anyone tried upgrading to Intrepid Ibex (Ubuntu 8.10) to see if it helps?

I called up Dell Linux help, and after about 2 hours of system tests, the customer rep. told me that I had to reinstall Ubuntu on it from the disk- which, since I don't have a disk drive meant I had to send it in to them.  It works fine now, but, then again, it worked fine before the problem too.

Good luck with your computer!

I like Ubuntu and I think it's easy to use.  But I've been working in IT for 2 years and I've used Windows, Mac and many different flavors of UNIX, including Linux, for years.  Ok, so I'm a geek.  

I think Dell's implementation of Ubuntu 8.04.01 with the Launcher is very easy to use.  I got my Mini 9 mostly for browsing the web and checking email.  It comes with Open Office 2.4, which is compatible with Office 2003.  It doesn't come with all components installed, but you can easily download them for free.  Don't even think about running Microsoft software on Ubuntu Linux.  Linux is designed to only run Open Source software.  If you want to learn more about Ubuntu Linux try this link:

http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu/desktopedition

If you just want to try out Ubuntu Linux on your old computer you can download it here for free.  Just download the ISO file, burn it to a CD and boot your old computer from the CD.  

http://distrowatch.com/?newsid=05294

Wow.  Your Custi rep is really not involved with Ubuntu often.  I RARELY recommend a complete install.  Check this out.  You are having problems with freezing?  Restart your XORG server.  CTRL - ALT - BACKSPACE.  It should take you to the login screen again.

I feel bad for the people who were told they need to re install.  That is like paying a lot of money at the stock market and getting bad advice.