installation of ubuntu 8.10

For the installation go here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation
I dont understand what you mean about recovery drives could you be more specific.

Hope that helps
Shane

The best way is to forget 8.10 and download 9.04
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
8.10 is soooo yesterday ;) lol

Make a cd, preferably using a cheap 'write once' cd as these seem to work better than expensive ones for this particular type task <shrugs> If you have troubles then
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto

Then bootup from the cd. again if you have troubles ...
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BootFromCD

On the menu "Try Ubuntu without changes" and this should take you to a working desktop which we call a "Live Cd session", most dstros offer this ability and it's worth trying a few out some other time.
http://distrowatch.com/
Note that Ubuntu is right at the top of the top 100 chart :)))

Check that things like internet and movies work. Any troubles just ask us
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+addquestion
but don't actually bother trying to fix these on a Live Cd sesion as they will be completely forgotten unless you go for a proper install, ideally as a dual-boot with Windows, preferably Xp
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsDualBoot
but on it's own is fine too. During the process of installing Ubuntu you get to the partitioning section. Choose either "Guided" or "Manual" but avoid the non-default "Use entire disk" lol, errr and wear a scarf if it's cold lol

Hope this helps!
Good luck and regards from
Tom :)