Ubuntu 7.04 CD boots and works fine, but installation to HD not working

Downloaded Ubuntu 7.04 ok (on old laptop), verified md5 sum ok, burnt CD, checked for defects ok, CD boots on new laptop ok (Novatech Revo 440 Celeron 1024 MB 80GbHD) and runs all applications, including Firefox.
BUT
Installation to HD not working. Booting from HD get initial Ubuntu screen with bar, fills slowly, then long wait, blank screen, long wait,
"Starting Common Unix printing system"
blank screen, long wait
An X cursor displays, turns to time dial
then pink screen
dial continues to spin, but nothing else.
After more than five minutes, hard reboot.
Is this a problem with Ubuntu or new laptop?
CLUES
When booting and running from CD, can't manually eject CD.
Right click on CD icon in Computer - File Browser gives error:
"Unable to Mount Media. Probably no media in drive" - but there is!
BUT
Sound Juicer Disk eject does work.
ANOTHER CLUE
When booting from CD, get several error messages, including
Unknown (16) controller version
intel_rng FWH not detected
and several more I've not been able to note.
Despite this all software seems to work from CD boot.
FINAL CLUE
Novatech Revo notebook supplied with a driver CD which I've not used yet. I assumed it was
Windows only. Is this what Ubuntu is looking for and not finding?
Will send this query now, but then see what happens if I try and install drivers and then run Ubuntu again.
Thanks for any pointers for struggling newbie!
Mike