Sample projects showing blank window on execution

Hi, I am a beginner in 3D games programming, and am exploring lots of game engines. I installed panda3d in ubuntu 9.10, and tried to run the the sample projects (navigated to usr/share/panda3d/samples): chessboard, asteroids, etc.
A window is opening, but only balck/grey fill screen is there, No objects are displayed in the window. Just a blank window. Please let me know whether i require any config/graphics card/etc.

I am using sony vaio VGN343. NO nvidia.

Can you try putting this in /etc/Config.prc:

vertex-buffers #f

Just wanted to note that I had the same problem with Ubuntu and this worked for me. Thanks!