I've downloaded Kubuntu Edgy AMD-64 version and burned it to CD but it
just spends a _long_ tine trying to read the disk and doesn't do anything.

I've checked the MD5 on the ISO, it matches, and it looks like a clean
burn. When I try to open the ISO in VMWare in Windows I get a black
screen and continuous beeping after selecting a menu option. The VMWare
virtual machine then displays an error stating that this is not a AMD64
machine and to use the i386 version instead. This may just be because I'm running it on a i386 version of Windows tho. And why won't the CD boot? Any ideas?

I've had the same problem when I was trying to install Ubuntu X86_64. The CD wouldn't boot because it was having a hard time recognizing the hardware.

Could you give some details about the hardware that's in your computer?

That's all I know off the top of my head, if you want any more details, just ask. I don't have any problems with this setup under Kubuntu 6.06 i386 (I haven't changed anything) but I have had issues even when installing that (it didn't like an old CD drive). For some reason Ubuntu seems to have some hardware issues.

HP-DVD 400i
3.2GHz AMD-64 Athlon processor
1GB RAM (2x51 2MB DDR 400MHz)
200 GB Maxtor HD IDE
MSI Micro ATX motherboard

Dolphin Tsunami mouse 2000
Logitech corded internet keyboard

You're right, it does. But it's not a problem exclusive to Ubuntu. In my case, it was a problem of the kernel having some issues with the AM2 socket (some troubles with APIC) if you have an AM2 socket, it could be that. For me, Ubuntu AMD-64 just wouln't boot and while the i386 version was working, it couldn't recognize my graphic card.

Maybe if you tried booting your AMD-64 disc with the 'noapic' option and see what you get.

You could try the 32bit version...

IGF