N00b needs help: Ubuntu 8.04 on Acer Aspire 5000

Hi,

I am very, very, very new with linux. I had 2 GREAT installs on a laptop and a desktop. I tried to put it on an Acer Aspire 5000 but it has been only bad news.

Tried:
1. ubuntu 8.10 → grafix were unusable, no wireless NOR LAN internet. I was really stuck on how to get programs into a linux system not attached to the net.
2.RedHat 9 and 10 → same problems poor graphics and no net (wired nor wireless).
3.Tried openSUSE 11.1 → same problems poor graphics and no net (wired nor wireless).
4.Tried ubuntu 8.04 and the grafix are 100% but no net access (wired nor wireless).

Then I tried ndiswrapper (couldn't get it to compile → error messages). Tried to update the LAN driver, really had not idea what I was doing...

I need some help, and some help in very (very, very) simple terms. n00b compiling etc.

Goals: get network access. I can manage the rest from there.

Kind regards,

Chris