I wrote this question on several forums and as I have now "solved" the
problem i.e. successfully loaded Kubuntu with internet connection onto
my computer. As the problem (from my point of view) is no longer I want
to detail the problem and the solution I used for the benefit of others
AND to thank the many people on these various forums that gave advice
which helped me and set me on the right track. So first of all thank you
all!
The problem I came across:
I installed Kubuntu and was unable to set up my static IP address in
order to connect to the internet. I tried every possible way that I knew
or was advised to try on various forums.
The main problem was with knetworkmanager. I could not get it to allow
me to get into manual setup. What happened was that when going to
knetworkmanager and trying to operate manual setup I was asked for my
password which I typed in. The request closed and then NOTHING happened.
No reaction at all from the manager. So I was unable to setup my static
IP that way.
I then tried to write my static IP in /etc/network/interfaces. My static
IP starts with 10.* etc. but the static IP number I got when restarting
my computer was 198.* etc. No connection to what I had tried. All this
was on a wired connection.
In desperation I installed Ubuntu and had NO problems with setting up my
static IP. I prefer the Kubuntu interface and programs so I tried this:
I then installed KDE4 using
sudo apt-get install KDE4
After seeing that KDE4 worked properly I went to the next step and
completely installed Kubuntu from within Ubuntu
apt-get install kubuntu-desktop
I am very satisfied with the results although I haven't tried out
everything yet. In particular I haven't tried knetworkmanager but when I
get home from work I will do just that.
I intend to send this letter as a bug notice to Kubuntu if I can find
out how(where) to do this.
I hope this can help others as I was helped here.