I cannot get ANY programs to install.

For security reasons Ubuntu doesn't run any autostart command from removable media by default. You can change this in Nautilus (the file manager) in 'Edit'/'Preferences'.

But usually this autostart programs are written for Windows and don't work with Ubuntu so you don't get much.

Drivers and support programs for hardware like printers and cameras are usually available through the package manager, most of them are installed by default. Feel free to ask if you need help with a specific piece of hardware.

Thanks for the help and support. I still have another question. If my computer came with Ubuntu do I have to use it? If not, is there anyway to uninstall it so I may install Windows XP instead?

Also, I'm not even able to download updates for Ubuntu. Do you think it might be installed improperly or is this just how ubuntu runs?

Can you provide any info on the system in question? If you bought a computer with Ubuntu preinstalled I suspect it was done correctly but I know Dell broke a few things on their early version of the Mini 9 so it's possible to have a faulty install but I suspect that is not the case. When you say it can't download updates, do you have any indication that there updates to download? If so, what happens, exactly, when you try to download them and how are you doing that?

With any flavor of Linux you would not be able to install windows apps or drivers. It's a completely different OS. HP and Cannon printers tend to be fine but I'm not sure about Dell. If they aren't providing a driver it could be difficult. Most digital cameras will be automatically detected and regular Ubuntu will offer to open F-spot to import photos.

As for installing XP it's your computer so you can do whatever you want. However, you may run into difficulties with drivers if your PC didn't come with a windows driver CD. You may be able to download them but often a new install of windows will not have any networking until you install the drivers so you get caught in a catch 22 situation. Also, putting windows on is kind of going backwards. XP is a 7 year old OS and your version of Ubuntu is probably less than a year and maybe even newer depending on which version is installed. You will also have to buy XP as well as most software you want to use although there are a number of good Linux programs with windows ports (so usually free).

Well, the system I have is an Inspiron
530.

There is a little icon indicating I
have 1,046 updates available. But I should say that when I download
something, it won’t let me install it. It tells me: Please insert
the disk labeled:

Ubuntu 8.04 _Hardy Heron_ - Release
i386 (20080423)

in drive /cdrom/. Well, I never
received a disk like that. I only received a disk labeled Ubuntu 8.04
LTS DVD.

I also downloaded EasyBCD 1.7.2.exe and
wubi.exe but they won’t even open for me to install them.
For the printer, I have a Dell. It came
with a drivers and utilities disk, but the computer won’t even
automatically install it.
Thanks very much for your help.

--- On Thu, 12/4/08, Jim Hutchinson <email address hidden> wrote:
From: Jim Hutchinson <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #53504]: I cannot get ANY programs to install.
To: <email address hidden>
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 7:47 PM

Your question #53504 on Ubuntu changed:
https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/53504

    Status: Open => Answered

Jim Hutchinson proposed the following answer:
Can you provide any info on the system in question? If you bought a
computer with Ubuntu preinstalled I suspect it was done correctly but I
know Dell broke a few things on their early version of the Mini 9 so
it's possible to have a faulty install but I suspect that is not the
case. When you say it can't download updates, do you have any indication
that there updates to download? If so, what happens, exactly, when you
try to download them and how are you doing that?

With any flavor of Linux you would not be able to install windows apps
or drivers. It's a completely different OS. HP and Cannon printers tend
to be fine but I'm not sure about Dell. If they aren't providing a
driver it could be difficult. Most digital cameras will be automatically
detected and regular Ubuntu will offer to open F-spot to import photos.

As for installing XP it's your computer so you can do whatever you want.
However, you may run into difficulties with drivers if your PC didn't
come with a windows driver CD. You may be able to download them but
often a new install of windows will not have any networking until you
install the drivers so you get caught in a catch 22 situation. Also,
putting windows on is kind of going backwards. XP is a 7 year old OS and
your version of Ubuntu is probably less than a year and maybe even newer
depending on which version is installed. You will also have to buy XP as
well as most software you want to use although there are a number of
good Linux programs with windows ports (so usually free).

--
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know that it is solved:
https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/53504/+confirm?answer_id=3

If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
following page to enter your feedback:
https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+question/53504

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subscriber of the question.

Ah, that helps. All the things ending in .exe are for windows so ignore them. Wubi, for example, if for installing Ubuntu from within windows. The printer drivers are also for windows unless you can find something on the CD that says it's for Linux. Many printers work fine in Linux without special drivers so you might just try setting it up from the printer window in system - admin.

As for the updates, it looks like the computer is configured to only use the CD. You can change that from system - admin - software sources. On the Ubuntu Software tab uncheck the cdrom option and check the first 2-4 (depending on what you want) under the downloadable from the internet section. I have them all checked (except source code). Let it reload when asked and then try to update.