Ubuntu install after a failed first install.

[Ray]

The other day I was having trouble with the Ubuntu install I had done a
few days before. So I decided to Uninstall Ubuntu and start from
scratch, this proved to be somewhat of another problem, as I think that
Ubuntu has Diagnostic loaded when you first install Ubuntu, correct me
if I'm wrong. This I believe was corrupted or one of the other files. So
I put Windows XP back on the system again, this reformated the
Hard-drive to NTFS, but I did something different, I reset the bios via
the jumpers on the motherboard, this I think helped. And allowed me to
reset the settings in the bios. Because I think that some of the
problems that are hard to work eg, install, upgrade of system software
etc etc... out may be attributed to this. After I installed windows, I
then put the Ubuntu install disk back in and started the install of
Ubuntu process over again. I know some would think that this is a long
way round, and time consuming. After the install of Ubuntu, the
reinstalled software is working better than before. I also used
Automatix to install all the plugins that I wanted for Firefox. I then
had a look to see how the system was running, and it was racing. It is
stable, [ much more stable than Windows ]. So far I have not had the
same issues that I did when I used Windows, and believe me I have use
most of the varieties of Windows, right from Win 3.11. and this system,
so far out runs them all by a long shot. I then updated the ATI Radeon
driver and this was no problem at all. 
I really think that the programmers have done a very good job on Ubuntu.
My system is a 2.4 celeron, Asus P4S800-MX mother board, 512 ram , with
120 gig hard-Drive. This is a system I built, about 12 or 14 months ago,
and is still going strong. Although I have read that there has been
discussion on cleaning the inside of the box. This I do every few months
or so. What I do is to strip down the components and clean them with a
artist paint brush, no special one. Also I make sure that the vents to
the power supply are checked from time to time to clear out the dust
that builds up. As the accumulation of dust and crap can really build
up. This is no problem, and I think helps the motherboard by getting rid
of the possible short-outs of components. This only takes about a hour,
so it is not what you would call difficult. 
Also this may offer some practical advice for anybody who would like to
try this method of a "spring clean" of their box. I would advise, that
the plug is disconnected,and letting the system cool down, [ for obvious
reasons of course ], but rather to stop the possibility of static
blowing anything if you touch it. 
Anyway this is my story, and I am sticking to it. 

Regards

       Ray