I tried to get Ubuntu to work as a LiveCD, but it keeps messing up! Sometimes, it'll start up, but it won't even show the desktop, just an orangish color. Other times, the desktop will show up, but if I hover over anything, it just completely freezes up! I've downloaded the regular LiveCD (i386), I've tried the x86_64 (I have an Athlon 64 3200+), and I've tried the LiveDVD i386! All of them basically mess up the same way... I don't know what to do, because I'm probably going to get an extremely complicated explanation about editing files and changing the boot log or something... I've even tried that Wubi thing and that didn't even work (said something about username being all lowercase, WHICH THEY WERE, I CHECKED!).

Installing Windows XP wasn't this hard! All you have to do is type in "how to install windows xp" into Google and you get an amazingly simple guide!

I really need to figure this out before they stop the updates for XP, because I refuse to be controlled by Vista!

I really hope someone can help me, because there are so many explanations that people give, and I have no idea why they're giving such complicated answers in a forum section labeled "Linux - Newbie"

Might try looking on http://www.distrowatch.com and try the next one down on the list.

Have one system that has still never successfully booted ubuntu, but it works perfectly on others.

The top pics on the distro list usually require the least use of the command line so just work your way down the live cd's and install one you like. Will have to be patient because there is as much linux terminology as there was for windows, just fewer re-installs and for me not one reboot or crash in 6 months .

Answers given to linux questions sounded like greek to me in January of this year, but after my wrestling match with vista I reformatted the drive and decided I would either learn linux or buy a typewriter. Now I love linux .

The terminology does look a little frightening at first, but its not as difficult as it seems and there are all new application names to remember but you will usually find someone who will help you with a problem.

I would try a few different distro's and get one that boots and runs easily on your computer then try it out. There are many distro's that have live cd's worth checking out and when you find one that works you can use the live cd until you are comfortable enough with linux to try an install. Live cd's are slower than the real thing but they do get the job done. But the more compatible the live cd is with your system, the easier it will be to configure. Then while you are learning linux you will also have a working system .

What graphics adapter do you have? If it's an Intel i8xx chipset (typically on-board), then that's likely the problem. Use the Ubuntu Alternate Install CD (the problem is with the installer, not the full installed version!). Let us know what chipset you have.

Well, I have an AMD Athlon 64 3200+, if that's what you're asking for. My graphics card is an ATI Radeon 9550 (256mb). If you need more details, I'll go to pcpitstop and see if I can find some more detailed info.

AFAIK, the problem I was referring to is i386-specific (other knowledgeable people please correct me if I'm wrong =)

It might be an incorrect xorg.conf setting for your graphics card, or perhaps a driver problem. I don't know Ubuntu well enough to say. You could try modifying the graphics settings before the installer launches (if Ubuntu allows you to do so).

have you tried booting in safe-graphics mode or the alternate install cd?