I am new to linux in past week. I've recently downloaded ubuntu and burned the iso.

I went to install last night and here's what happend.

Initial startup questions went fine, the base/core installed, extra packages completed, then I came to set up user account, I type through this and after completing It runs through one configuring apt screen and the second configuring apt screen hangs at 25% and the install freezes.
Under the progress bar the line says "setting up primary installation repository"

I need to figure out what steps I need to take to resolve this and get ubuntu installed. Here are my system specs.

My system specs are
msi rs480m2 mb with amd64 3000+
seagate ide ultra 100 120gb 7200 8mb hdd (st3120026a)
integrated ati x200 graphics
memorex optical cd/dvd combo drive
512mb 3200 dual channel ram

I've tried installing other distros the past couple days and had problems with one other (linspire5.0) 2 other distros installed fine and 2 livecd distros ran (other then the two I installed)

I'm currently also downloading kbuntu to try tonite but not sure if I will have the same issue.

Can someone help me move forward?

Maybe it's having a conflict with some of your hardware. Try removing all you're hardware that you do not need for the installation and add it after the install.
Hope that helps.

mine was doing this and i had faulty ram.