The only suggestion I can give you is to try a different Linux distribution. I
had bad experiences with Ubuntu and learned that there are better distributions
available.

FUD not just for microsoft anymore.

there are others distros but better and worse does not come into it.
Just what does what you need it to do on your hardware.

Identifying the hardware would be the root of solving the OP's video
and audio issues.

I read about similar hardware and software problems. Is it possible than in
such case the CD image was not downloaded properly or burnt properly to the CD ?
I had similar trouble with some distros downloaded from Distromania but at that
time I used Windows and it was almost unusable due to viruses and certainly the
downloads broke. There might have been problems with Nero also.
Later I had some cable problems that I solved.
Another trouble in my case is the incompatibility of some Linux distros with
some parts of my PC. For example, PCLinuxOS does not run on it, there are
graphical problems, but a PCLinuxOS derivative, TinyME runs on it flawlessly.
Others that do not run on it are Granular, Zenwalk, the older version of Knoppix
before Adriane (the live CD does not but the live DVD does run), Damn Small
Linux Not (Damn Small Linux runs on it flawlessly and so does Feather Linux).
Also, CentOS does not run on it, Kanotix runs on it only booted with APIC
disabled, Mepis runs on it when booted with the option "small display, minimal
settings", Ubuntu and all its derivatives run nicely on it; Mandriva, Fedora,
OpenSUSE, Debian, Puppy, Damn Small, Darkstar, Slax, NimbleX, Sabayon, Gentoo
etc. run on it nicely. So do Solaris, Belenix and OpenSolaris also.

Is it possible that there are hardware incompatibilities with some linux
distros ? The Kanotix, Mepis, Knoppix, PCLinuxOS and CentOS issue is very
frustrating.

I am using 8.10 and love it. My drivers came thru synaptic I
didn't have to go hunting for them, but until they are installed you
won't have much choice on your resolution. Is it not seeing your sound
card?

Interested in your comments on bad experience with Ubuntu. I
have only been learning Ubuntu for about four months and have had minimal
problems. Usually my own mistakes. I like Ubuntu and look forward to the new
distro about to be released. I have contemplated trying other Linux distros. Can
you recommend any other Linux distros please that might lean more towards
amateur radio.

Ubuntu or any other Debian derivative has possibly the most s/ware for
the amateur radio enthusiast
although SuSe does have a fair few specialist amateur progs specific and
written for SuSe....
psk is well catered for in both distros Well worth a try of a SuSe live
cd...You may like it....I don't.

I've had no problems with 8.04, then 8.10 and now 9.04 (just a learning curve).
I think 9.10 is now available so you may want to try a newer release of Ubuntu
before you give up.

You've received lots of helpful ideas. Make sure you run
System-Administration-Hardware Drivers and find a "non-free" driver for your
video adapter. Nothing works well until the right driver is activated - and
it will find and download at least one choice.

I'd only add that the fun of Linux is that there is so much variety and new
distributions are constantly being released for you to try out. The creator
of Linux, Linus Torvalds, called his book "Just for fun". Linux does demand
more of the user than Windows, but it's so much more secure and stable that
it's worth the effort. Don't be discouraged, but don't expect to find your
ideal version right away.

If you want some suggestions: for a really small and cute distro: Puppy
Linux. All most of us could ever use in 100 MB! For the same basic core as
Ubuntu with a different look try Kubuntu. I had display problems that I
could never solve with Ubuntu but Kubuntu runs fine with high resolution.
Check out www.distrowatch.com and find something that looks interesting, but
be sure you choose a "distribution" release, not a "development" release,
which is still not stable and finalized.

I'm relatively new too..
I know ubuntu cant provide every single driver on their CD's,
did it get online?

What I do is try out the Live CD first and only if that works do I install
it.

Try Ubuntu 9.04 from CD - that may work.

Or wait 11 days for ubuntu9.10.

I dont know if ubuntu automatically updates drivers when online,
or how to do it manually...

I think your computer's audio and video are based on the Intel 845GL chipset.

Generally speaking, drivers are installed very differently in Linux than in
Windows. I'm using a slightly different version of Ubuntu than you are; I would
go to Administration/Hardware Drivers to deal with drivers. Then I would go to
Preferences/Display to change the resolution.

For the sound, at the top-right of the screen is a volume control. Try
right-clicking, then see if there's something set to "mute".

I think your computer has a maximum of 256 MB of memory. I've run Ubuntu with
that much memory, but you might be better off with the Xubuntu variant.

I had the same video problem installing 8.04 onto an hp computer.
Installed 9.04 and it works perfectly.

Thanks so much for the tip. I was wondering if it was just the distro. I'll do
that.

You don't need to find the drivers or put them anywhere. If you go to
Hardware Drivers in System, Administration it will tell you if there are
drivers and take care of finding and installing them. In Linux you basically
never search the internet for applications and drivers. They are all kept in
secure locations called repositories and you access them through the package
manager for your distro. For Ubuntu you use Synaptic in System,
Administration or Add and Remove in the menu.

Hardware drivers are the exception. They are accessed through Hardware
Drivers. In rare situations you can get them from the manufacturer, but this
is harder to do than in windows because there is no uniform executable file
format (like exe) in Windows. Each distro uses its own format. For Debian
based distros like Ubuntu it is deb (for Red Hat based distros it is rpm).

If all of this seems to be beyond you, it is okay because you don't have to
know the details. You just go to the package Manager and choose from the
menu.

As for distro switching, there is no guarantee that another distro will
resolve your problem and one person's experience does not mean that you will
have the same results. It could even make things worse. Laptops for example
are notorious for not working well because they have lots of proprietary
hardware specific to that machine whereas desktop computers have more
generic parts. It is hit or miss. Desktops from some manufacturers (Dell
being one) also use lots of proprietary hardware. Most of the time they can
be made to work, but it just takes more time and lots of patience.

My desktop computer (HP) will not work with Mandriva at all. There is
something funky about my hardware or BIOS that causes a kernel panic, but it
only happens with Mandriva. Most other distros work well with it.

At least with Ubuntu you have lots of company. It is the most widely used
distribution and there is no shortage of people to turn to. I would try to
problem solve it first before distro hopping.

This gave me a good idea. I will test CentOS, PCLinuxOS, Granular and Mandriva
on the HP service laptop. Kubuntu works very well installed on it, but I had
trouble with printing. I also tested Knoppix, Damn Small Linux, Slax, NimbleX
and Puppy on it and all worked fine, no problem with anything (I did not test
printing) and I could connect to the Internet (DHCP without other fancy things)
instantly.

I had a problem with the printer on a HP service laptop. Installed Kubuntu
8.04, it recognized the Canon printer but some Katastrophe program announced it
could not print. Under Windows it works with the printer drivers installed.
Under Ubuntu ther was no trouble with 2 HP printers. I was surprised then that
everything went fine.