So, I downloaded the Ubuntu 8.10 iso yesterday. I checked to make sure the iso file wasn't damaged, just like I'm supposed to. I burned the iso image to a blank CD. I put the CD in my computer, restarted my computer, and chose to boot from CD. I think I've done everything right so far.

I chose "English" and then selected "install". While I waited for something to happen, nothing happened, I didn't see any load bar or anything, so I looked for some installation guides to see if there was something wrong. I selected "install" and nothing happened. I was told that it might take a while, so after I hit install, I left my computer and I went to go do some other stuff. I came back, and I was still looking at the boot menu. Nothing was happening and hitting the keys did nothing.

I have tried this about 4 times with the same results. I even tried downloading the iso from a different source. I also tried the "Try Ubuntu and then install later" option on the boot menu.

My computer is a Dell Dimension 4600C that currently runs Windows XP.

Any idea what I should do?

On the same menu as the Install start, there is an option to check the integrity of the CD. You may as well start with that. You probably did check the MD5 sum earlier, but do the integrity check anyway.

If that comes back O.K., the next thing you can do is select a video option from the taht menu using the F4 key. I'm not entirely sure what video chip your Dell runs, but my guess is you need to start with the simplest video possible.

If that doesn't work, there are some command line options that might work using the F6 key, but we can handle that next.

The last possibility is the download an burn the Alternate CD, which almost always works better on the install. It does not have a LiveCD option.